Jean-Pierre Murray-Kline’s Post

📣 We have made history – new coal has been cancelled in court! 👩⚖️ This victorious moment marks the first time in South African history that youth have led a climate change court case against the government. 🌍 Three years ago, the Cancel Coal court case was opened against the South African government to fight for our futures. The applicants included African Climate Allaince, groundWork and the Vukani Environmental Movement, represented by the Centre for Environmental Rights. Yesterday, we got the news that we won. ⚖️ In a landmark ruling, the High Court of South Africa has overturned the government’s plans to add 1,500 MW of new coal-fired power to the national grid. The court found that the government failed to adequately consider the impact of coal on children’s rights, particularly their right to a healthy environment, saying they are “unlawful and invalid”. 🇿🇦 It’s not only young people that will benefit from an end to new coal. This is a victory for all South Africans as it writes into law the importance of considering environmental and health impacts in government decision-making. ➡️ Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/dafrmCaq #CancelCoal

India too need such bold steps, Once I have visited NTPC plant , where got opportunity to meet senior officials and asked them about cheapest way of electricty production... During that conversation, one official told that hydel hydel Power Plant is the best cheapest and cleanest way of power gemeratjion and there is lot of scope to leaverage this natural resources in india... But still i dont heared any major development on this aspect in last 2 years

Two months ago, we asked our followers, "What do you imagine a future without coal could look like?" This question was inspired by Mycelium Co-op member Lara Taylor's collaboration with the African Climate Alliance #cancelcoal campaign. Two days ago, we celebrated a historic moment for South Africa. The Gauteng High Court has delivered a landmark judgment in one of the country's first #youthled climate litigation cases. ⚖️ The judgment states, amongst other things, that there had been no consideration of how the decision to erect a power plant would impact the rights of children under section 24 and 28 of the South Africa's #Constitution. As a result, the constitutional challenge was upheld. 🎉 We extend a big congratulations to groundWork, African Climate Alliance, and Vukani Environmental Justice Movement represented by the Centre for Environmental Rights for their exceptional work on this groundbreaking case. This victory signals a new era in our environmental #regeneration movement. As quoted in the recent Daily Maverick newspaper, "The Cancel Coal case could reshape the country’s stance on energy mix and legal accountability." We believe this is just the beginning. It's a powerful statement that challenges future exploitative actions, not only in the #energy sector but also in areas like #mining, #agriculture, and #infrastructure development. So, we want to know, where were you when you heard the news? 👉 read the full coverage here https://lnkd.in/dUA5KB7R

BREAKING CLIMATE LITIGATION NEWS FROM SOUTH AFRICA: Campaigners have won a lawsuit challenging the South African government's plan to build 1.5GW of new coal-fired power. North Gauteng high court ruled it is illegal because of the potential impact on public health. Three civil society organisations - youth-led African Climate Alliance, the Vukani Environmental Justice Movement in Action and @GroundWork-2 - launched the lawsuit three years ago, arguing that the government's energy policy is incompatible with the national constitution. https://lnkd.in/eEjAhgW8 #climatelitigation #climatejustice

The energy transition brings challenges and opposition towards a sustainable future. In a landmark ruling, the High Court of South Africa has overturned the government’s plans to add 1,500 MW of new coal-fired power to the national grid. - The case was brought by the African Climate Alliance (ACA), the Vukani Environmental Justice Movement in Action (VEM), and the Groundwork Trust, represented by the Centre for Environmental Rights (CER). The applicants argued that the government's decisions violated several sections of the constitution. - Judge van der Westhuizen ruled that the respondents could not provide any evidence to show that they considered the effect that coal-fired power will have on the environment and health of the nation, particularly that of children. - The first and second respondents are the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) and the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA). - Minister Gwede Mantashe and NERSA ordered to pay the applicants’ legal fees. - This case sets a precedent for future legal challenges against environmentally harmful projects and emphasises the need for transparent decision-making processes. According to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), air pollution from coal-fired power stations kills more than 2,200 South Africans every year and causes thousands of cases of bronchitis and asthma in adults and children annually. #CancelCoal #GroundWorkSA #TheElectricMission on #emissions

The can be no debate about the negative impacts of coal-fired power generation on our health and the environment. I wonder though, when the court was considering the arguments for and against, if the impacts of not having electricity was considered? For anyone who has travelled around South Africa, there are many real examples of what it is like to live without electricity, electricity for cooking, for heating, for educating, for creating jobs that come with having electricity to support industry and commerce. I certainly hope that South Africa has a solution here, because not having electricity to meet basic needs is not going to protect children's health or the environment. #electrification #coal #decarbonization

The High Court in South Africa has issued an order to join the Minister of Electricity as a fifth respondent in the ongoing #CancelCoal case. This decision follows a joinder application submitted by the applicants, citing the Minister's pivotal role in determining new generation capacity. Centre for Environmental Rights #coalpower #fossilfuel #southafrica #energycrisis #leadershipcrisis #courtcase #airpollution #carbonemmissions #taxpayer https://lnkd.in/g978Jbpe

The High Court in South Africa has issued an order to join the Minister of Electricity as a fifth respondent in the ongoing #CancelCoal case. This decision follows a joinder application submitted by the applicants, citing the Minister's pivotal role in determining new generation capacity. Centre for Environmental Rights #coalpower #fossilfuel #southafrica #energycrisis #leadershipcrisis #courtcase #airpollution #carbonemmissions #taxpayer https://lnkd.in/g_SYDw-U

Stand With People, NOT Polluters! ✊🏾 As we face the challenges of #climatechange, it's crucial that we prioritize the well-being of communities over the interests of #fossilfuel companies. The AfricanUnion has a choice to make: stand with the people of Africa or side with the polluters. We urge everyone to join our call to stop the expansion of gas projects in Africa. Let’s push for a future where #cleanenergy, environmental justice, and the rights of our communities come first. 👉🏿 https://lnkd.in/dbrimruM

JUST IN: A Landmark decision in the #CancelCoal case. The Gauteng Division High Court, today, in South Africa found that that the government’s decisions to authorise new coal fired power are inconsistent with the Constitution and violate the environmental and health rights of children and future generations. While the court did not touch on government commitments in relation to coal-based industries and climate change, it is clear that the human rights impacts of coal based power in South Africa, particularly on children, outweigh any justification of the approval of coal-based power. This is a win for efforts to do away with coal, and it is also in stark contrast to political comments made at the recent #COP29 that 'Coal is a gift from God'. It will be interesting to see the ripple effects of this judgement in South Africa and in neighboring African countries. 🌱