26 March 2021
Bills
Railway Safety Bill, 2021 [B7-2021]
Legislation
Acts
Financial Sector Regulation Act 9 of 2017 – GN 257 in GG 44327 of 25 March 2021 – Notice of commencement published in Gen Notice 169 in GG 41549 of 29 March 2018 amended
Division of Revenue Act 4 of 2020 – GN 270 in GG 44334 of 26 March 2021 – Conditional allocations and explanatory memorandum
Science and Technology Laws Amendment Act 9 of 2020 – Proc 3 in GG 44333 of 26 March 2021 – commences 1 April 2021
Directions
Disaster Management Act 57 of 2002 – Directions
- GN 240 in GG 44297 of 19 March 2021 – Health directions regarding measures to address, prevent and combat the spread of COVID-19 published in GN 796 in GG 43533 of 20 July 2020 amended
- GN 255 in GG 44325 of 25 March 2021 – Directions on measures to address, prevent and combat the spread of COVID-19 in the public transport services published in GN 59 in GG 44120 of 29 January 2021 amended
- GN 271 in GG 44335 of 26 March 2021 – Home Affairs: Tenth Amendment Directions to the Directions
Notices
Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development – International Phytosanitary Prescripts – GN 223 in GG 44293 of 19 March 2021 – Notice of export control in accordance with International Phytosanitary prescripts
Department of Transport – Gen Notice 116 in GG 44276 of 16 March 2021 – Notice requesting stakeholders to provide proposals for future consolidated marine pollution environment legislation
Petroleum Products Act 120 of 1977 – GN R211 in GG 44265 of 12 March 2021 – Draft Amendment Regulations regarding the Mandatory Blending of Biofuels with Petrol and Diesel, 2021 and draft Regulations regarding Petroleum Products Specifications and Standards – for comment
Antarctic Treaties Act 60 of 1996 – GN 234 in GG 44293 of 19 March 2021 – Antarctica and Southern Ocean Strategy (ASOS)
South African Maritime Safety Authority Act 5 of 1998 – GN 238 in GG 44293 of 19 March 2021 – Determination of charges and previous determination revoked with effect from 4 April 2021
Marine Living Resources Act 18 of 1998 – GN 233 in GG 44293 of 19 March 2021 – Invitation to apply for a right to conduct sea-based abalone ranching in the area between Doring Bay and Strandfontein Bay, Western Cape
World Heritage Convention Act 49 of 1999 – GN 213 in GG 44272 of 12 March 2021 – Proclamation of certain land in the Mpumalanga Province as the Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains World Heritage Site and management authority thereto appointed
National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act 57 of 2003 – GN 232 in GG 44293 of 19 March 2021 – Notice of intention to declare the remaining extent of Erf 4492, Swellendam as part of the Bontebok National Park – for comment
National Regulator tor Compulsory Specifications Act 5 of 2008 – GN 216 in GG 44275 of 15 March 2021 – Proposed compulsory specification for Cement (VC 9085) – for comment
National Environmental Management: Waste Act 59 of 2008 – GN 239 in GG 44295 of 19 March 2021 – Draft Amendments to the Extended Producer Responsibility Regulations, 2020 and notices regarding extended producer responsibility – for comment
Department of Sports, Arts and Culture – GNs 260 & 261 in GG 44333 of 26 March 2021 – English-isiZulu Engineering and Construction Term List – for comment
Fertilizers, Farm Feeds, Agricultural Remedies and Stock Remedies Act 36 of 1947 – GN R265 in GG 44394 of 26 March 2021 – Regulations relating to the tariffs for the registration of Fertilizers, Farm Feeds, Agricultural Remedies, Stock Remedies, Sterilizing Plants and Pest Control Operators, Appeals and Imports amended
South African Maritime Safety Authority Act 5 of 1998 – GN 244 in GG 44304 of 19 March 2021 – Determination of charges published and GN 844 in GG 43573 of 31 July 2020 revoked with effect from 1 April 2021
South African Maritime Safety Authority Levies Act 6 of 1998 – GN 243 in GG 44303 of 19 March 2021 – Determination of levies published and GN 844 in GG 43548 of 31 July 2020 revoked with effect from 1 April 2021
National Water Act 36 of 1998 – GN 263 in GG 44333 of 26 March 2021 – Proposed amendment of the Vaal River Catchment Management Agency Water Management Area through extending the boundary and area of operation to include the Orange Water Management Area in terms of s. 78 (4) of the Act and amendment of the name of the Vaal River Catchment Management Agency to the Vaal-Orange Catchment Management Agency – for comment
National Environmental Management Act 107 of 1998 – GN 250 in GG 44320 of 25 March 2021 – Adoption of amended Chapter 2 and Chapter 5 of the Integrated Environmental Management Plan for Phase 1 of the Square Kilometre Array and amendment to the conditions of exclusion
National Nuclear Regulator Act 47 of 1999 – GN R266 in GG 44394 of 26 March 2021 – Regulations on the Long Term Operation of Nuclear Installations
Animal Identification Act 6 of 2002 – GN 259 in GG 44333 of 26 March 2021 – Regulations amended
National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act 57 of 2003 – GN 246 in GG 44307 of 23 March 2021 – Intention to declare the remaining extent of Erf 4492, Swellendam as part of the Bontebok National Park – for comment and GN 232 in GG 44293 of 19 March 2021 replaced
National Health Act 61 of 2003 – GN 251 in GG 44321 of 25 March 2021 – Proposed Regulations Relating to Assisted Conception of Persons, 2020 – for comment
Provinces
Eastern Cape
Disaster Management Act 57 of 2002 – LAN 38 in PG 4522 of 15 March 2021 – Kouga Local Municipality (EC108) – Extension of Local State of Disaster due to the prevailing drought conditions for a further month
Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 and Disaster Management Act 57 of 2002: Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality – LAN 51 in PG 4522 of 15 March 2021 – Disaster Management By-law
Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act 16 of 2013 – LAN 52 in PG 4523 of 18 March 2021 – Kouga Local Municipality (EC108) – Spatial Development Framework (SDF) 2020
Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act 16 of 2013 – LAN 51 in PG 4525 of 19 March 2021 – Kouga Local Municipality – Integrated Land Use Scheme
Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act 16 of 2013 – LAN 57 in PG 4527 of 22 March 2021 – Ntabankulu Local Municipality – Draft Spatial Development Framework
Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act 16 of 2013 – LAN 58 in PG 4527 of 22 March 2021 – Matatiele Local Municipality – Review of Land Use Management Scheme, 2013
KwaZulu Natal
Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act 16 or 2013 – MN 2 in PG 2263 of 18 March 2021 – uMhlathuze Local Municipality – Third Review of the Spatial Development Framework (SDF) for 2017/2018-2021/2022 – for comment
Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act 16 or 2013 – MN 3 in PG 2263 of 18 March 2021 – uMhlathuze Local Municipality – Third Review of the Spatial Development Framework (SDF) for 2017/2018-2021/2022 – for comment
Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act 16 of 2013 – MN 4 in PG 2264 of 25 March 2021 – uMhlathuze Local Municipality – Review of the Spatial Development Framework (SDF) for 2017/2018-2021/2022 – for comment
Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act 16 of 2013 – MN 5 in PG 2264 of 25 March 2021 – Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma Local Municipality – Establishment of the Municipal Planning Appeal Authority and the appointment of members
Northern Cape
Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act 16 of 2013 – Gen Notice 27 in PG 2400 of 15 March 2021 – Provincial Spatial Development Framework, 2020
Limpopo
Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act 16 of 2013 – LAN 13 in PG 3147 of 19 March 2021 – Waterberg District Municipality – Revision of the Spatial Development Framework (SDF)
Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act 16 of 2013 – LAN 18 in PG 3147 of 19 March 2021 – Waterberg District Municipality – Approval of appointment of members to serve on the Appeal Authority
Mpumalanga
Local Government: Municipal Systems Act 32 of 2000 – PN 21 in PG 3237 of 12 March 2021 – Consolidated Annual Municipal Performance Report for the 2018/19 financial year
Mpumalanga Nature Conservation Act 10 of 1998 – PN 32 in PG 3244 of 26 March 2021 – Open Season: Ordinary Game
Western Cape
National Environmental Management: Integrated Coastal Management Act 24 of 2008 – PN 25 in PG 8401 of 19 March 2021 – Establishment of coastal management line
North West
Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act 16 of 2013 – LAN 18 in PG 8187 of 16 March 2021 – Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipality – Notice of Draft Spatial Development Framework (SDF) -for comment (p17)
Local Government: Municipal Finance Management Act 56 of 2003 – ON 1 in PG 8188 of 16 March 2021 – Consolidated statement on the performance of municipalities for the second quarter ending 31 December 2020
National Environment Management Act 107 of 1998 – PN 29 in PG 8193 of 23 March 2021 – Adoption and publication of the 2018 North West Province Environment Outlook Report
National Environment Management Act 107 of 1998 – PN 30 in PG 8193 of 23 March 2021 – Adoption and publication of the North West Province Environmental Implementation Plan (EIP) 2020-2025
Cases
National
S v Ndlovu 2021 (1) SACR 299 (ECG)
“Evidence—Admissibility—Constitutional exclusion, under s 35(5) of Constitution Act 108 of 1996, of evidence obtained in a manner that violates any right in Bill of Rights—Evidence not conscripted and appellants not compelled to participate in discovery of articles in chalet—Breach of the appellants’ right to privacy not undermining reliability of evidence—Police officials having acted in good faith—Evidence relevant and essential to substantiate charges—Evidence admissible.
Conservation—Rhino horn—Unlawful hunting of—Sentence—Various charges arising from 10 incidents of rhino poaching occurring over period of three years at various farms and nature reserves—Effective sentence of 25 years’ imprisonment not disproportionate to seriousness of offences.”
Mining and Environmental Justice Community Network of South Africa and Others v Uthaka Energy (Pty) Ltd and Others Case No: 1176/2021 Gauteng High Court Decided 23 March 2021
Interdict – forbid to proceed without obtaining water use licence as well as other authorisations
Executive Council of the Western Cape Province and Others v Kannaland Local Municipality and Others (229/2021) [2021] ZAWCHC 51 (19 March 2021)
“3. The background facts are common cause or are not seriously disputed. In 2016 the Kannaland Local Municipality was in such serious financial crisis that it was unable to provide basic municipal services, or to meet serious financial commitments. Some of the examples cited include an Eskom bulk services account which was in arrears to the tune of R12 million, almost resulting in the disconnection of electricity supply to the entire Municipality. Another example is the deterioration of the municipal infrastructure due to an inefficient tariff structure. It is also common cause that, due to the conclusion of many questionable contracts, the Municipality was spending so much money on litigation that service delivery was severely prejudiced.
In acknowledgement of its financial crisis, the Municipal Council resolved on 2 December 2016 to request the Provincial Executive to intervene in its affairs in terms of section 139(5) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa 108 of 1996 (‘the Constitution’), and the latter resolved to accept the invitation.“
International
The Canadian Supreme Court of Canada upheld the constitutionality of the federal Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act: https://decisions.scc-csc.ca/scc-csc/scc-csc/en/item/18781/index.do
“[188] Furthermore, I reject the notion that because climate change is “an inherently global problem”, each individual province’s GHG emissions cause no “measurable harm” or do not have “tangible impacts on other provinces”: Alta. C.A. reasons, at para. 324; I.F., Attorney General of Alberta, at para. 85 (emphasis in original). Each province’s emissions are clearly measurable and contribute to climate change. The underlying logic of this argument would apply equally to all individual sources of emissions everywhere, so it must fail.
[189] I note that similar arguments have been rejected by courts around the world. In Massachusetts v. Environmental Protection Agency, 549 U.S. 497 (2007), for instance, the majority of the U.S. Supreme Court rejected the federal government’s argument that projected increases in other countries’ emissions meant that there was no realistic prospect that domestic reductions in GHG emissions in the U.S. would mitigate global climate change. The Supreme Court reasoned that “[a] reduction in domestic emissions would slow the pace of global emissions increases, no matter what happens elsewhere”: p. 526. Similarly, in The State of the Netherlands (Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy) v. Stichting Urgenda, ECLI:NL:HR:2019:2007, the Supreme Court of the Netherlands upheld findings of The Hague District Court and The Hague Court of Appeal that “[e]very emission of greenhouse gases leads to an increase in the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere” and thus contributes to the global harms of climate change: para. 4.6. The Hague District Court’s finding that “any anthropogenic greenhouse gas emission, no matter how minor, contributes to . . . hazardous climate change” was thus confirmed on appeal: Stichting Urgenda v. The State of the Netherlands (Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment), ECLI:NL:RBDHA:2015:7196, at para. 4.79. In Gloucester Resources Limited v. Minister for Planning, [2019] N.S.W.L.E.C. 7, a New South Wales court rejected an argument of a coal mining project’s proponent that the project’s GHG emissions would not make a meaningful contribution to climate change. The court noted that many courts have recognized that “climate change is caused by cumulative emissions from a myriad of individual sources, each proportionally small relative to the global total of GHG emissions, and will be solved by abatement of the GHG emissions from these myriad of individual sources”: para. 516 (AustLII).”
The European Court of Justice (ECJ) on Thursday dismissed an appeal brought by families from Europe, Fiji and Kenya that aimed to force the European Union to impose stricter climate measures. The ECJ held that the plaintiffs were not “individually” affected by the bloc’s climate policies, confirming an earlier decision by the European General Court. The ECJ said that the claim that an act of the EU infringes fundamental rights is not sufficient in itself to establish that the action brought by an individual is admissible under the conditions of admissibility set forth in the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). The Court stated: “According to settled case-law, natural or legal persons satisfy the condition of individual concern only if the contested act affects them by reason of certain attributes that are peculiar to them or by reason of circumstances in which they are differentiated from all other persons, and by virtue of these factors distinguishes them individually [citation omitted].” A variant of the US “particularized harm” requirement. [Patrick Parenteau Vermont Law School Envlawprof list 26 March 2021] The Order is here.
Publications
National
Yahyah Hadijah, Ginzky Harald, Kasimbazi Emmanuel, Kibugi Robert and Ruppel Oliver C (eds) Legal Instruments for Sustainable Soil Management in Africa. International Yearbook for Soil Law and Policy: Regional Perspectives (Springer Nature Cham Switzerland 2020)
Ruppel Oliver C, Junger Georg W and Knutton Keeley M “Der Klimawandel in der Governance, Gesetzgebung und Rechtsprechung Südafrikas: Ein Überblick über die jüngsten Entwicklungen” 2020 5 Zeitschrift für Umweltrecht (ZUR) / German Law Journal for Environmental Law 273-279
Trouwborst Arie and Blackmore Andrew Craig “Hot dogs, hungry bears and wolves running out of mountain – international wildlife law and the effects of climate change on large carnivores” 2020 Journal of International Wildlife Law and Policy 23(3) 212-238 https://doi.org/10.1080/13880292.2020.1852671.
Blackmore Andrew and Trouwborst Arie “The Vulnerability of Neighbouring Communities and their Investment in Protected Areas: A Speculative Analysis” 2020 26 PARKS 79-88 https://doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.CH.2020.PARKS-26-2AB2.en
Blackmore Andrew “Much Ado About Nothing: A Conceptual Discussion on Novel or Niche Tourism” 2020 26 PARKS 37-46 http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.CH.2020.PARKS-26-2AB.en
Blackmore Andrew “What happens on the beach stays on the beach: A speculative legal analysis of nudism in South African protected areas” 2020 24 Law, Democracy and Development 318-337 http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/2077-4907/2020/ldd.v24.13
Blackmore A “Climate change and the ownership of game: A concern for fenced wildlife areas” 2020 62(1) Koedoe a1594 https://doi.org/10.4102/koedoe.v62i1.1594
Thompson Lindy J and Blackmore Andrew C “A brief review of the legal protection of vultures in South Africa” 2020 91(1) Ostrich 1-12, https://doi.org/10.2989/00306525.2019.1674938
Addaney M and Jegede Ademola Oluborode (eds) Human Rights and the Environment under African Union Law (Palgrave, 2020)
Jegede Ademola Oluborode “Arguing the right to a safe climate under the UN Human Rights System” 2020 9(2) International Human Rights Law Review 184-212
Jegede Ademola Oluborode “Should They ‘Just’ Leave? Global Energy Transition, Climate Change and the Protection of Workers’ Rights in South Africa” 2021 19(1) Oil, Gas and Energy Law Journal 1-19
2021 17(1) Quest March edition available [popular science for scholars]
A Gilder, O Rumble and M Parker Concise Guide to Carbon Tax (LexisNexis, September 2020).
From the Authors: there are hard copies of the Concise Guide available for batch order and this is quite a useful opportunity for organisations and institutions because there will be no update of the hard copy. Instead, we are currently working on the Comprehensive Guide to Carbon Tax which will significantly update and augment the Concise Guide and which will be the very first LexisNexis publication to be offered entirely online as part of the LexisNexis electronic suite. This means that the remaining hard copies of the Concise Guide become, in a sense, the last of their kind and therefore very desirable for bibliophiles. As you are aware the carbon tax is the most visible component of the Post-2020 Mitigation System and is very significant for the national climate change response. [AG, OR and MP]
Hughes K “The World’s Forgotten Fishes” (WWF Report March 2021)
2020 South African Journal of Science South African Journal of Science 117(3/4) is available
International
Creating sustainable cities through low-carbon freight: EcoLogistics in Argentina, Colombia and India (EcoLogistics Report 2021)
Carmona CP et al “Erosion of global functional diversity across the tree of life” 2021 7(13) Science Advances DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abf2675
Kurganskiy A et al “Predicting the severity of the grass pollen season and the effect of climate change in Northwest Europe” 2021 7(13) Science Advances DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abd7658
Degroot D, Anchukaitis K, Bauch M et al “Towards a rigorous understanding of societal responses to climate change” 2021 591 Nature 539–550 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-021-03190-2
Terrer C, Phillips RP, Hungate BA et al “A trade-off between plant and soil carbon storage under elevated CO2” 2021 591 Nature 599–603 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-021-03306-8
Blogs, Discussions, Websites, Videos, ETC
South Africa
Biodiversity, protected areas, culture
GroundUp: Yeld J “In photos: Controlled burn of Kenilworth race track – The track is home to pristine critically endangered Cape Flats Sand Fynbos” 17 March 2021
Daily Maverick: Carnie T “Crippled conservation: Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife is ‘a very big ship with a very small rudder’” 28 March 2021
The Conversation: Forsmann T “A forgotten settlement in the Cradle of Humankind adds a note to southern African history” 28 March 2021
Climate change and energy
Lexology Clyde & Co LLP: Van Der Vyver E and Venter H “South African Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Programme: Bid Window 5 finally announced” 19 March 2021
Lexology Fasken: Joubert F, Rushton J and Phiri O “Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries identifies additional areas of strategic importance for energy development in South Africa” 18 March 2021
Mail & Guardian: Gilili C “Coal industry under increasing pressure to focus on a just transition” 26 March 2021
Biznews: Nathan M “Falling short: Medupi and Kusile an Eskom plan designed to fail – Chris Yelland” 17 March 2021
Bizcommunity: “Transitioning away from coal” 25 March 2021
Bizcommunity: “Scaling up bioenergy production could substantially raise water stress – new study” 12 March 2021
Bizcommunity: “Offshore wind energy could help solve SA’s energy woes” 15 March 2021
Local government
Bizcommunity: “Colonial legacies shape urban nature: why this should change” 25 March 2021
Bizcommunity: “Smart cities promote best practice in urban sustainability” 18 March 2021
Bizcommunity: “How technology offers a very real solution to SA’s aging water infrastructure” 15 March 2021
allAfrica: “South Africa: Water and Sanitation Calls On KwaZulu-Natal Residents to Use Water Sparingly” 26 March 2021
Mining
Extractives Baraza: “South Africa: Communities Benefit As Miner Reduces Freshwater Usage” 24 March 2021
Daily Maverick: Arkert L “Total’s Garden Route oil and gas extraction plans bode ill for rights of the area’s vulnerable communities” 28 March 2021
Water, waste, oceans and chemicals
Mail & Guardian: Bega S “Corona waste is harming animals, everywhere” 26 March 2021
Daily Maverick: Ledwaba L “Limpopo: Rural recycling dream deferred by tax confusion” 28 March 2021
Bizcommunity: Turton A “Restorative justice lies at the heart of how we ought to think about water management” 26 March 2021
allAfrica: “South Africa: Public Comment Sought On ERP in the Waste Sector” 29 March 2021
Africa
Biodiversity
Namibian: Mbathera E “Shiimi, Kawana in new bid to auction fishing quotas” 19 March 2021
allAfrica: Nkhondoyachepa-Mana S “Malawi: Elephants Destroy Crops in Nkhotakota – 72 Households Food Insecure” 26 March 2021
The Conversation: Scherz MD “What Madagascar’s amazing mini creatures tell us about evolution” 28 March 2021
Climate Change and Energy
Lexology: “At a glance: natural gas pipeline transportation and storage in Angola” 16 February 2021
The Conversation: Sinai C et al “Solar technologies can speed up vaccine rollout in Africa. Here’s how” 21 March 2021
Engineering News: Bulbulia T “Africa hosts considerable potential for green hydrogen” 25 March 2021
Local government
UrbanLeds: “Rwanda upgrades healthcare centres as part of green economic recovery” 17 January 2021
The Conversation: Fevre E and Hassel J “Nairobi is rapidly losing its green spaces: this could open the door to more diseases” 24 March 2021
The Conversation: Bartingdon S et al “COVID-19: a new challenge for clean cooking progress in Kenya” 24 March 2021
The Conversation: Okyere S et al “People living in African urban settings do a lot of walking: but their cities aren’t walkable” 23 March 2021
Mining
Lexology: “Overview and outlook: mining law in Senegal” 10 November 2020
Extractives Baraza: Jamasmie C “West Africa: Exploration Boom in West Africa Challenged By Lack of Services” 24 March 2021
Extractives Baraza: “Mozambique: FoE Pursues UK over Mozambique LNG Funding” 24 March 2021
Lexology: “Overview and outlook: mining law in Mozambique” 10 November 2020
Extractives Baraza: “Sudan Updates 26 New Oil Blocks in Latest Map” 24 March 2021
Lexology: “Overview and outlook: mining law in Tanzania” 10 November 2020
Water, sanitation, oceans, and chemicals
Natural Justice: Ngachi S “Water Access in Kenya: Institutions are Failing to Act” 23 March 2021
allAfrica: “Somalia – Severe Water Shortages Leave 70 Percent of Families Without Safe Drinking Water” 22 March 2021
Miscellaneous
Mail and Guardian: Gilili C “Climate crisis threatens future maize production in SA and Lesotho” 26 March 2021
allAfrica: Schlein L “Angola: Hunger Rises as Severe Drought Grips Angola” 26 March 2021
allAfrica: “Africa: Tackling One of Africa’s Greatest Enemies – Drought” 26 March 2021
allAfrica: “Ethiopia’s Surprise Entry Into Cloud Seeding Technology” 27 March 2021
International
Biodiversity, protected areas, and culture
The Guardian: Watts J “Disease outbreaks more likely in deforestation areas, study finds” 24 March 2021
Science: Pennisi E “Tiny differences in plumage and song have split two nearly identical birds into different species” 25 March 2021
Science: Stokstad E “After more than 2 decades of searching, scientists finger cause of mass eagle deaths” 25 March 2021
IISD SDG Knowledge Hub: “UNCCD Committee Reviews Progress, Funding for Achieving Land Degradation Neutrality” 24 March 2024
IISD ENB: 19th Session of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC 19) of the UNCCD | 15–19 March 2021 | Online | UN Convention to Combat Desertification – UNCCD
Lexology: “The Role of Conceptual Ecological Models in Implementing the Federal Endangered Species Act” [USA] 25 March 2021
Climate change and energy
Nature: Rogelj J et al “Net-zero emissions targets are vague: three ways to fix” 16 March 2021
IISD ENB: 19th Session of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC 19) of the UNCCD | 15–19 March 2021 | Online UN Convention to Combat Desertification
USA Environmental Protection Agency: Climate change website
Lexology: “FERC Makes First Significance Determination on Greenhouse Gas Emissions”
IISD ENB: 9th Session of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC 19) of the UNCCD 15–19 March 2021 | Online – UN Convention to Combat Desertification – UNCCD
Nature: Tagliapietra S and Wolff GB “Form a climate club: United States, European Union and China – If the three biggest economies agree a carbon tax on imports, it will catalyse climate action globally” 23 March 2021
Science: Service RF “New generation of carbon dioxide traps could make carbon capture practical” 24 March 2021
Lexology: “Third Time’s the Charm? Massachusetts Climate Legislation Finally Set to Become Law”
IISD ENB: 53rd bis Session of the IPCC (IPCC-53 bis) | 22–26 March 2021 | Online
IISD SDG Knowledge Hub: “Delivering Climate Ambition Through Market Mechanisms: Capitalizing on Article 6 Piloting Activities” 24 March 2021
IISD SDG Knowledge Hub: “UK-Norway Collaborative Initiative Seeks to Boost Climate Finance” 24 March 2021
IISD SDG Knowledge Hub: “Delivering Climate Ambition through Market Mechanisms: Capitalizing on Article 6 Piloting Activities” 24 March 2021
Lexology: “With increasing regularity, the Biden Administration continues to advance its climate change agenda” 22 March 2021
Lexology: “The EU Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation Enters into Force” 22 March 2021
The University of Melbourne Youtube: “Melbourne Climate Futures: Driving the change” 23 March 2021
Lexology: “Spotlight: climate change law, regulation and policy in United Kingdom” 27 February 2021
Lexology: “Federal Reserve Board Governor Highlights Regulatory Approach to Climate Risk” [USA] 25 March 2021
Lexology: “Developments in Offshore Wind Part Two” [USA] 26 February 2021
Lexology: “Energy Litigation” [Canada] 25 March 2021
Lexology: “Climate, ESG and Green Investing in Singapore” 25 March 2021
The Jurist: Mobbs B “The Effectiveness of Promoting Renewable Technology: Regression Analysis of Emissions” 19 March 2021
Engineering News: Creamer T “Global wind installation step change required to meet net-zero goal” 25 March 2021
Environmental enforcement
Lexology: “EU Set to Introduce Mandatory Environmental and Human Rights Due Diligence Law” 23 March 2021
Lexology: “NSW EPA releases a new regulatory strategy for comment” 23 March 2021
Lexology: “Environmental law considerations for your Canadian business: Assessing and minimizing risk in real estate transactions” 22 March 2021
Lexology: “Environment Impact Assessment for Projects- India” 19 March 2021
Lexology: “In review: environmental protection regulations in India” 27 February 2020
Lexology: “EPA Finalizes Revised Cross-State Air Pollution Rule Update: Emissions Reductions Required at Certain Power Plants Beginning in May” 19 March 2021
Lexology: “Latest environmental legislation in effect and in the pipeline – 2021 overview” [Switzerland] 22 March 2021
Lexology: “Pollution incidents and the duty to notify in NSW: how soon is ‘immediately’?” 18 March 2021
Lexology: “UK consultation on binding environmental principles that will apply to all future policy” 18 March 2021
Lexology: “In review: environmental protection regulations in France” 27 February 2020
Lexology: “Commencement of Victoria’s Environment Protection Amendment Act 2018 on 1 July 2021 has been confirmed by gazettal notice” 18 March 2021
Lexology: “Right to repair rules due to be introduced in Great Britain this summer” 18 March 2021
Lexology: “United Kingdom: Human Rights Act Review – Signalling a rollback of regulation and judicial oversight post Brexit?” 19 March 2021
Lexology: “An Update on Pending Revisions to the Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Standard” 25 March 2021
Lexology: “Group Organisational Structure Raised Triable Issues Against Parent Company for Subsidiary’s Alleged Environmental Damage’ 26 March 2021
Lexology: “Too little, too late: South Australian Supreme Court dismisses an application to extend a development plan consent, where the consent was not acted upon within 12 months” 25 March 2021
Local government
Lexology: “Greener Constructions” [United Kingdom] 19 March 2021
REN21: “REN21 launches Renewables in Cities Global Status Report (REC)” March 2021
UN Habitat and ICLEI: “Urban-LEDS II Newsletter” February 2021
UrbanLeds: “LEDS Lab ends cycle in Brazil and Colombia – The results of LEDS Lab were summarized in a Guide to Developing Bankable Climate Action Projects” 9 February 2021
The Guardian: McIntyre N “Traffic wars: who will win the battle for city streets?” 25 March 2021
Mining
Lexology: “Mining in the Courts, Vol. XI” [Canada] 9 March 2021
Lexology: “Recent Climate and ESG Disclosure Activity — What does it mean for the SEC’s Conflict Minerals Rule?” [USA] 24 March 2021
Lexology: “Recent Publications on the Health Effects of Fracking Make Headlines” [USA] 18 March 2021
Lexology: “Argentina, Mining and Glacier Protection” 10 February 2021
Lexology: “In brief: natural gas production in Portugal” 16 February 2021
Lexology: “Overview and outlook: mining law in Portugal” 10 November 2020
Lexology: “Mining leases: environmental liability of office holders, receivers and liquidators” [Australia] 23 March 2021
Extractives Baraza: “Nexa Resources Halts Zinc Mine In Brazil” 24 March 2021
Extractives Baraza: “World’s Largest Coal Miner Coal India Bets On Solar, Eyes Further Mine Closures” 24 March 2021
Lexology: “FERC Modifies Water Quality Certification Waiver Period for Gas Projects” [USA] 19 March 2021
The Independent: De Vries A “Bitcoin mining is disastrous for the environment – it is time for governments to intervene” 28 March 2021
Water, oceans, waste, and chemicals
NYAS: Albright SD “Environmental Justice and the Impact of Plastics Production on Nearby Communities: How Science Can Help” 4 March 2021
The Guardian: McVeigh K “Bottom trawling releases as much carbon as air travel, landmark study finds” 17 March 2021
IISD SDG Knowledge Hub: “High-level Event Focuses on Inclusive, Integrated Solutions for Water Goals” 24 March 2021
IISD SDG Knowledge Hub: “SDG 6 Acceleration Efforts Underway as Data Shows Targets Off Track” 22 March 2021
IISD SDG Knowledge Hub: “Water Development Report Explores Water’s Value” 22 March 2021
IISD SDG Knowledge Hub: “High-level Event Focuses on Inclusive, Integrated Solutions for Water Goals” 24 March 2021
IISD SDG Knowledge Hub: “UNCTAD Proposes Sustainable Ocean Economy Classification” 22 March 2021
Lexology: “No-go für To-Go: Verbot von (Einweg-)Plastikartikeln ab Juli 2021” [Single use plastics forbidden from July 2021] [Germany] 22 March 2021
Lexology: “On your marks, get set, FOGO: the race to keep organic waste out of landfill” [Australia] 19 March 2021
Lexology: “State of regulation of plastics in Canada: The basics” 19 March 2021
Lexology: “NSW introduces ban to prevent PFAS contamination” 18 March 2021
IISD ENB: “12th Meeting of the Monaco Blue Initiative | 22 March 2021 | Monaco and Virtual Participation
Miscellaneous
Nature: Witze A “A tour of deep time brings comfort in hard times” 16 March 2021
IISD SDG Knowledge Hub: “Virtual Working Group Develops Options for Science-Policy Interface” 24 March 2021
Tempa Bay Times: Johnson CG, Woolington R and Murray E “Poisoned Part 1: The Factory” 24 March 2021
Lexology: “Consumer Class Actions – Global perspectives” [USA] 24 March 2021
Lexology: “EPA Finalizes Cross-State Air Pollution Rule” [USA] 23 March 2021
Nature: Shah H “COVID-19 recovery: science isn’t enough to save us” 23 March 2021
The Revelator: Platt JR “10 Environmental Books We’re Reading This Spring” 24 March 2021
Nature: Callaway E “Rare COVID reactions might hold key to variant-proof vaccines” 19 March 2021
Nature: Witze A “A tour of deep time brings comfort in hard times” 16 March 2021
The Conversation: “Covid-19 – global cooperation – What we learned from tracking every COVID policy in the world” 24 March 2021
CBC: “Buildings made with fungi could live, grow — and then biodegrade” 26 March 2021
IISD: De Paula N “Gender Equality: The Formula to Accelerate Implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development” 23 March 2021
IISD SDG Knowledge Hub: “European RFSD Considers Policy Actions for People, Prosperity, and Planet” 24 March 2021
IISD SDG Knowledge Hub: Wieczorek-Zeul H et al “We Need to Upgrade the United Nations: Towards a More Effective Sustainable Development Governance” 22 March 2021
IISD SDG Knowledge Hub: “Brief Recommends Policy Shifts to Improve Health in the Anthropocene” 22 March 2021
Lexology: “ESG Bonds and Ireland’s Offering” 19 March 2021
Lexology: “The Green Shift – Sustainability Finance In The Canadian Loan Market” 25 March 2021
Lexology: “The Evolution of ESG from CSR” [Singapore] 25 March 2021
The Conversation: “Covid-19 – global cooperation – What we learned from tracking every COVID policy in the world” 24 March 2021
The Independent: Brown O and Gallagher L “High-quality sand is in short supply, it’s critical we manage this natural resource before it’s too late” 28 March 2021
Conferences, Workshops, Study Opportunities
National
ELA Screening Club Event: The Adonisi judgment and issues of spatial apartheid surrounding the judgment
Date: 25 March 2021
More information
Online course: To book, email or call us on 011 214 0660
For more information about the course consult the website.
CBSS Training Courses in Water Governance scheduled for 2021
- 17 – 19 August 2021, in Pretoria
- Refresher (for those who attended previous courses): 19 August 2021
- Early Bird discount applicable until 6 July 2021
- Registration closes 20 July 2021
- Only TWO (2) seats still available
- 7 – 9 September 2021, near Stellenbosch
- Refresher (for those who attended previous courses): 9 September 2021
- Early bird payment before 20 July 2021
- Registration closes 3 August 2021
- Nine (9) seats still available
- Mpumalanga, KZN and Eastern Cape: date and venue to be confirmed, depending on interest
You can register here
NWU: Unit for Continuing Education Short Courses
- CEM-02.1.3 Environmental law – Integrated Waste Management: 7 – 9 April 2021
- CEM-05.1.1 Environmental Impact Assessment: 10 – 14 May 2021
- CEM-02.1.1 Environmental law: 24 – 28 May 2021
- CEM-05.3.1 Environmental Risk Assessment: 7 – 11 June 2021
- CEM-03.1.1 Environmental Management Systems: 5 – 9 July 2021
Contact Rosy Moloto: 018 299 2725 / Nonzuzu Seleka: 018 299 1470 for more information
South African Institute for Advanced Constitutional, Public, Human Rights and International Law (SAIFAC): 10-part series on Climate Change Leadership: Bringing Science, People and Policy Together
Date of first topic: 15 April 2021
Time: 17:30-18:30 – Prof Francois Engelbrecht (Distinguished Professor of Climatology at the Global Change Institute of the University of the Witwatersrand)
Please RSVP to to receive the Zoom link
Additional dates and topics:
- 6 May 2021: Topic 2: The discomfort of uncertainty and the certain uncertainty of scientific research
- 27 May 2021: Topic 3: How do people and societies respond (or not) to climate change? Navigating the complexities of human behaviour.
- 17 June 2021: Topic 4: Looking back, looking forward – can law change the climate change trajectory?
- 29 July 2021: Topic 5: Who produces CO2 and why? What are the options and technologies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions?
- 19 August 2021: Topic 6: Increasing pressure, increasing implications for businesses?
- 2 September 2021: Topic 8: Jobs or the environment? How can climate change responses address the interests of labour?
- 30 September 2021: Topic 9: Preparing for COP 26 – What does South Africa want from the COP negotiations?
- 14 October 2021: Topic 10: Where to from here? The role of the next generation and their views on a safe and human world for all
More information available on the SAIFAC Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/SAIFAConline
NWU CLES first Critical Conversation: Legal reflections on South Africa’s meeting of the SDG 11 targets and the state of play in its medium-sized cities
Date: 18 April 2021
Time: 14:00 – 15:15pm
The speaker is Prof Anél du Plessis. Please register for this event by 6 April 2021 at: https://forms.gle/TyUbMmgjWMihi3jr6
Enterprises @ University of Pretoria Online Short Course in Environmental Law
Date: 21 June to 2 July 2021 led by Dr Melanie Murcott
More information
NWU Research Unit: Law, Justice and Sustainability Webinar: South Africa’s Law and Policy Responses to Vulnerable People during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Date: Wednesday, 10 November 2021
Time: 10:00 to 15:00
Venue: Online via Zoom
Call for papers here
Interested colleagues should submit an abstract of not more than 300 words to both Prof Oliver Fuo and Dr Anri Botes ( and ) before 01 September 2021. The abstract should contain a brief proposal, the title of the paper, the name(s) of the pre-senter(s), the affiliation(s), and email address(es).
Contact details:
For more information, contact – Rieëtte Venter (Faculty of Law)
International
Vermont Environmental Law Center: 16th Annual Norman Williams Distinguished Lecture in Land Use Planning and the Law. Planning for Wildfire-Resilient Communities in an Era of Uncertainty
Tune in at vermontlaw.edu/live on Thursday, April 15 from 4 to 5:15 p.m
Virtual talk on French climate change case Notre Affaire À Tous and Others v. France: How To Use “General Principles” Arguments In Future Climate Cases by Dr. Natalie Oman
Tuesday, March 30, 12:30 – 1:30 PM PT
Registration
IUCN Environmental Law Centre: enviroLENS webinar – Data for environmental law compliance monitoring
Date: 30 March 2021
Tme: 14:00-15:30 CET, Zoom
Register for the webinar here
2021 Jestrab Distinguished Lecture on Water: Bad River Tribe: Developing Institutions of Self-Governance for Water Resource Protection
Date: Tuesday, March 30, 2021
Time: 12 p.m.
Place: Zoom
Register at: https://grizhub.umt.edu/event/6965889
IUCN One Nature, One Future Global Youth Online Summit
In the span of less than two weeks, this will facilitate IUCN’s ability to engage and empower the voice of youth at a critical time.
Date: 5-16 April 2021
More information
Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University: 8th Annual Future Environmental Law Professors Workshop
Date: Friday, September 17, 2021
The workshop is designed for Visiting Assistant Professors, Fellows, Researchers, Law Clerks, Practitioners, and others, including current students, who are currently, plan to go on, or are considering the academic teaching market in the areas of environmental law, natural resources law, food and agriculture law, energy law, land use planning, and/or ocean and coastal resources law. Participants receive advice on the environmental law teaching market; obtain an insider’s view on the appointments process from faculty with extensive hiring experience; learn about the history and future of environmental law in law schools; participate in a mock AALS interview and gain feedback from environmental law professors; and present work to future colleagues in the environmental law academy through mock job talks. You can view past keynote addresses here: https://law.pace.edu/future-environmental-law-professors.
Workshop: ‘Climate Change Litigation and Human Rights Arguments: Stocktaking and a Look at the Future’
Date: 6-7 May 2021
Place: Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies, Pisa, Italy
The workshop programme (hybrid programme) and information on how to register can be found here
SDU: Urban Resilience Intensive Training 2021
Dates: 19-13 July 2021
More information
_____________________________________________________________________________________
News
National
Biodiversity
Hyman A “Toxic puffer fish mass washouts in Cape Town” TimesLive 25 March 2021
“Stellenbosch researchers discover five worm species from five million years ago” TimesLive 18 March 2021
Matshoba A and Heiberg T “’Virtual rangers’ help South African reserve keep poachers away” Reuters 29 March 2021
Vuk’Uzenzele GCIS “Northern Cape farmers affected by the locust outbreak” Sebenza-Live 22 March 2021
Conservation: Baviaanskloof farmers go back to grassroots
“Farmers in the Baviaanskloof are hoping the grass on their side of the fence will soon be much greener, as their ongoing environmental rehabilitation programmes were given a leg up by some much-needed rainfall last week. According to a report in The Herald, scattered showers brought up to 70mm of rain to parts of the World Heritage Site, prompting conservation workers to sow grass seeds across hectares of farmland set aside for conservation, erosion prevention and rehabilitation. Baviaanskloof Hartland Bewarea managing director Justin Gird said they sowed about 70ha of mixed grass seeds last week, and a further 70ha over the following few days. ‘We hope these seeds grow to the point where the grass shoots its own seeds again and we can see some real rehabilitation start to take place,’ Gird said. The bewarea, or conservancy, was established in 2014 and stretches over about 37 000ha. It consists of 15 members – 10 of whom are commercial small stock or cattle farmers in the region. The goal of the conservancy is to implement sustainable farming that protects the area’s natural resources, prevents soil erosion and rehabilitates vegetation lost due to outdated and unsustainable practices.” Full report in The Herald (subscription needed) Legalbrief Environmental 23 March 2021
Environmental Enforcement
Sadike M “Kruger National Park rangers say courts not taking rhino poaching seriously” IOL 23 March 2021
“SANParks welcomes successful prosecution of rhino poachers” SANews 17 March 2021
Criminal: DEFF officials linked to illegal abalone trade
Corrupt government officials can’t seem to distance themselves from operating multimillion-rand businesses in the illegal harvesting and selling of abalone. A Cape Argus report notes that Independent Media’s investigation unit spoke to fishermen who alleged that once they are caught, the abalone is confiscated and set for auction wherein syndicate members would purchase the same abalone for trade purposes from Department of Environment, Forestry & Fisheries (DEFF) officials. DEFF’s Director of Communications, Zolile Nqayi, acknowledged the allegations and confirmed there were new officials linked to syndicates, apart from the nine officials arrested in 2018 for running the country’s biggest abalone poaching syndicates. ‘There are currently cases involving government officials, identified as fisheries inspectors, who were based at the Gansbaai station in Overberg. Three months ago another official employed on our fishery patrol vessels was investigated for collusion with poachers. He resigned before we could bring disciplinary charges. However, the criminal case is ongoing,’ said Nqayi. Officials arrested in 2018 were back in their jobs after being released on bail and were part of a syndicate run by abalone poachers Paul Julies and Solomon Sauls, who were last month sentenced to 18 years’ and 15 years’ imprisonment respectively. Western Cape police spokesperson FC van Wyk confirmed investigations involving government officials and poachers, organised syndicates and criminal kingpins.” Full Cape Argus report (subscription needed) Legalbrief 23 March 2021
Climate Change and Energy
Yeld J “Controversial Watsons’ wind farm approval overturned on review” GroundUp 24 March 2021
Maeko T “Eight IPPs to plug over 1 800MW to power gridMore bidders expected to be announced following evaluation process” Moneyweb 18 March 2021
“Green groups slam gas plans, but govt says pipelines are in SA’s best interests” Sunday Times 21 March 2021
Creamer T “Eskom mulls alternatives to R300bn emissions-compliance spend” Mining Weekly 16 March 2021
Maleke D “Eskom’s inadequate energy capacity boosts solar energy sector” IOL 20 March 2021
West E “Renewable energy continues growing into the energy mix” IOL 16 March 2021
Steyn L “SA hit by more than 800 hours of load-shedding in 2020” BusinessLive 14 March 2021
“Advanced nuclear reactors no safer than conventional nuclear plants, says science group” TimesLive 18 March 2021
Creamer M “South African-developed fuel cell passing tests at Implats refinery” Mining Weekly 29 March 2021
“To keep Koeberg going, Eskom must convince regulators it has enough money” Engineering News 26 March 2021
Creamer T “Electricity sector developments” Engineering News 26 March 2021
Majola G “Fuel industry welcomes Public Petroleum Products Act Compliance Forum to sort out illegal trading” IOL 26 March 2021
“Resolving energy challenges ’fundamental’ for economic recovery, says Ramaphosa” IOL 22 March 2021
Local government
Zuzile M “Gauteng municipalities are owed more than R58bn in unpaid debt” Timeslive 24 March 2021
Nkosi N “Bay’s R550m power failure -Huge loss in revenue sparked by widespread theft of electricity” The Herald 25 March 2021
Nair N “Municipality could face ‘criminal enforcement’ for sewage spill in tourist hotspot” TimesLive 23 March 2021
Creamer T “34 South African cities join global move towards setting renewables targets” Mining Weekly 18 March 2021
“Activists relieved as Limpopo Province slams the brakes on risky Musina Makhado Mega-Project” CER 19 March 2021
Mining
Yeld J “Court stops Mpumalanga coal mine” GroundUp 25 March 2021
“Reprieve for Mpumalanga Strategic Water Source Area as court halts start of new coal mine” CER 24 March 2021
Bega S “Interdict stops coal company from starting mining in one of SA’s water factories” Mail & Guardian 27 March 2021
Washinyira T “Zimbabwean mother and daughter start veggie farm after losing jobs during lockdown” GroundUp 24 March 2021
Sizani M “Shack dwellers clash over illegal electricity” GroundUp 23 March 2021
Harper P “A year into Covid, Durban’s beachfront farmers are still tilling the soil” Mail & Guardian 27 March 2021
Pollution: Markman businesses slam manganese trucking industry
“Markman in Nelson Mandela Bay is becoming an ‘industrial wasteland’ where roads and buildings are covered with manganese dust and workers run serious health risks each day. According to a report in The Herald, Markman business owners likened the heavy-duty convoys of trucks transporting manganese to a 24/7 industry where the trucks drive ‘like 30-ton taxis’. Pressure on the manganese transport industry is mounting after an outcry by the tenants about the health and safety hazards caused by the hundreds of 18-ton ore trucks pouring in and out of the area. Nelson Mandela Bay municipal spokesperson Mthubanzi Mniki said the metro would now consider legal action against non-compliance. The manganese is transported from mines in the Northern Cape to Nelson Mandela Bay and then shipped to Asia. Some of it is taken straight to export terminals at the ports of Ngqura and Gqeberha, but some is first stockpiled in warehouses at various sites around the Bay including the Swartkops truck stop depot, the old power station and in Markman. Premier Oscar Mabuyane announced in February that the manganese terminals on the Gqeberha beachfront would be relocated to the Port of Ngqura before the end of this year.” Full report in The Herald (subscription needed) Legalbrief Environmental 23 March 2021
Water, waste, oceans and chemicals
“Controversial Durban building firm fined R7.5m for dumping rubble in wetland” IOL 16 March 2021
Mahlokwane J “Hammanskraal water probe initiated by ActionSA to start soon” IOL 25 March 2021
Bulbulia T “Western Cape establishes coastal management line” Engineering News 26 March 2021
Silaule S “Science, innovation dept invests R18.9m in nanosatellites” Engineering News 25 March 2021
“Public comment sought on ERP in the waste sector” SANews 29 March 2021
Policy: Independent water regulator gets state backing
“The government has come out in support of the idea of establishing an independent water regulator to regulate tariffs, standards and performance in the water services sector. A Business Day report says the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse, lobby group Water Shortage SA and the Institute of Race Relations (IRR) have long supported the idea to address SA’s water crisis, characterised by failing municipal infrastructure, lack of long-term planning and implementation and the worsening failure of sewage treatment plants across the country. The IRR has said the Department of Human Settlements, Water & Sanitation acknowledged that potential conflicts of interest arise from its own role as policymaker, regulator, implementer and operator of infrastructure. UCT’s water expert Kevin Winter supports the idea but says formation of an independent water regulator ‘is still on mute’ in the government. ‘An independent water regulator could play a significant role as a facilitator to ensure greater participation of local communities and in strengthening public-private partnerships,’ Winter said. In a presentation to Parliament’s Water & Sanitation Committee, the DG of the Department of Planning, Monitoring & Evaluation in the Presidency, Robert Nkuna, and its head of local government performance, Hassan Mohammed, proposed establishing an independent water regulator to improve regulation throughout the value chain in support of the delivery of key functions in the water sector. They also said the merger of some of the smaller water boards into large regional water utilities is being considered by the government in the light of the poor general technical efficiency of some of the boards.” Full Business Day report (subscription needed) Legalbrief 26 March 2021
Miscellaneous
Bulbulia T “South Africa must scale up infrastructure spending, emphasises BLSA’s Mavuso” Engineering News 29 March 2021
Creamer T “Big business to approach government with solutions for accelerating infrastructure spending” Engineering News 26 March 2021
Campbell R “South Africa to gain another radio telescope array” Engineering News 25 March 2021
International
Biodiversity, protected areas, animal rights, and culture
“World Bank cancels three potential REDD agreements” Carbon Pulse 16 March 2021
Cistone S “Endangered condors return to northern California skies after nearly a century” The Guardian 27 March 2021
Wicker J “American bald eagles have made ‘strong return’ from brink of extinction” The Guardian 25 March 2021
Cockburn H “Two new species of ‘critically endangered’ owl discovered in Amazon rainforest” The Independent 26 March 2021
Climate change and energy
“California power consumption trends back to historic levels at pandemic’s one-year mark” Carbon Pulse 16 March 2021
“UK should not use foreign credits to meet near-term climate goal, say advisors” Carbon Pulse 26 March 2021
“Deadlocked EU Climate Law risks delaying 2030 package, says MEP” Carbon Pulse 26 March 2021
“EU lawmakers not giving up on 60% GHG target for 2030, says Climate Law negotiator” Carbon Pulse 25 March 2021
Gerretsen I “Ireland’s government agrees on climate bill to set 2050 net zero goal in law” Climate Home News 25 March 2021
Beitsch R “Senators eye rollback of Trump methane rule with Congressional Review Act” The Hill 24 March 2021
Carroll SG “Solo car journeys more harmful to the environment than flying: report” EurActiv 25 March 2021
“Moody’s to explicitly delineate climate risk in all credit ratings” Carbon Pulse 24 March 2021
“EU carbon border levy “can’t neglect least-developed countries”, says IPCC advisor” Carbon Pulse 23 March 2021
Puko T “Oil Company Leaders Support Carbon Pricing Plan” The Wall Street Journal 22 March 2021
“EU to offer gas plants a green finance label, under certain conditions” EurActiv 23 March 2021
“To fight climate change, fight carbon leakage” Politico 23 March 2021
“Green Climate Fund commits $1.2 bln to new projects” Carbon Pulse 22 March 2021
“Utah legislature reapproves funding for lawsuit challenging California climate policies” Carbon Pulse 22 March 2021
Feyche M “Mexico court suspends new electricity law” The Jurist 20 March 2021
Harvey F “UK urged to take lead in helping poor countries fund climate action” The Guardian 29 March 2021
Bucci N “Renewables plus batteries offer Australia the same energy security as coal, research finds” The Guardian 28 March 2021
Morton A “Australians could be charged for exporting energy from rooftop solar panels to the grid” The Guardian 24 March 2021
McKie R “Britain’s ‘brutal’ cuts to overseas aid put African science projects in peril” The Guardian 28 March 2021
Ambrose J “Scottish seabed windfarm auction set to bring in £860m” The Guardian 24 March 2021
Carrington D “Big banks’ trillion-dollar finance for fossil fuels ‘shocking’, says report” The Guardian 24 March 2021
Milman O “Oil firms knew decades ago fossil fuels posed grave health risks, files reveal” The Guardian 18 March 2021
Ambrose J “Global oil demand ‘could exceed pre-Covid levels without clean energy moves’” The Guardian 17 March 2021
Dunne D “UK leads G20 for share of electricity sourced from wind” The Independent 29 March 2021
Toscano N “AGL seals tech deal with Britain’s OVO as energy shake-up looms” Sydney Morning Herald 29 March 2021
Christina B “Hundreds evacuated from massive fire at Indonesian oil refinery” Sydney Morning Herald 20 March 2021
“Election 2021: Wales Greens pledge action to tackle climate crisis” BBC 29 March 2021
Keene K “Why are people not doing more about climate change?” BBC 29 March 2021
Macauley C “Climate change bill plan due before NI Executive” [Northern Ireland] BBC 18 March 2021
“China generated over half world’s coal-fired power in 2020: study” Reuters 29 March 2021
Environmental enforcement
“Italy Court Acquits Eni, Shell in Nigeria Corruption Case” EWN 17 March 2021
Surma K “Lands Grabs and Other Destructive Environmental Practices in Cambodia Test the International Criminal Court” Inside Climate News 23 March 2021
Braganza E “France lawmakers adopt environmental constitutional amendment” The Jurist 18 March 2021
Milman O “The lawyer who took on Chevron – and now marks his 600th day under house arrest” The Guardian 28 March 2021
Local government
Sullivan H and Standaert M “Sandstorms turn sun blue and sky yellow in Beijing” The Guardian 29 March 2021
Tidman Z “Cities will change for ever with home working, says ex-Bank of England deputy governor” The Guardian 29 March 2021
Lovett S “Experts fear new biodefence agency will neglect health priorities” The Independent 28 March 2021
Pollution: New Delhi the world’s most polluted capital in 2020
“New Delhi was the world’s most polluted capital for the third straight year in 2020, according to IQAir, a Swiss group that measures air quality levels based on the concentration of lung-damaging airborne particles known as PM2.5. A Cape Argus report notes that India was home to 35 of the world’s 50 most polluted cities, according to IQAir’s 2020 World Air Quality Report, which gathered data for 106 countries. The findings were based on the country’s annual average of particulate matter PM2.5, airborne particles with less than 2.5 microns in diameter. Prolonged exposure to PM2.5 can lead to cancer. Air pollution caused an estimated 54 000 premature deaths in New Delhi last year, according to a recent study by Greenpeace Southeast Asia Analysis and IQAir.” Full Cape Argus report (subscription needed) Legalbrief Environmental 18 March 2021
Mining
Mucari M “Mozambique army says dozens killed in besieged gas town” BusinessLive 28 March 2021
Smith P “Pennsylvania top court rules for gas drilling firms in antitrust lawsuit” The Jurist 26 March 2021
House R “Biden administration sued for halting oil and gas leasing program” The Jurist 26 March 2021
Ambrose J “UK government to allow new North Sea oil and gas exploration” The Guardian 24 March 2021
Morton A “Australia’s miners urge Europe to define nuclear power and fossil fuels with carbon capture as ‘sustainable’” The Guardian 21 March 2021
“Australian Aboriginal group opposes billionaire miner’s plan to build dams” Mining Weekly 29 March 2021
Water, waste, oceans and chemicals
“WATCH | Polluted waters around the world seen from the sky” TimesLive 21 March 2021
Rude A “Federal court dismisses Oregon lawsuit challenging Native American water rights” The Jurist 21 March 2021
Andagalu R “Kenya withdraws from ICJ maritime border case with Somalia” The Jurist 16 March 2021
Laville S “Environment minister pledges laws to cut dumping of sewage in English rivers” The Guardian 29 March 2021
Salvidge R “UK ‘flying blind’ on levels of toxic chemicals in tap water” The Guardian 25 March 2021
Thompson A “Raising dam wall could lead to more development on floodplain, Emergency Minister says” [Australia] Sydney Morning Herald 29 March 2021
“Newest battery-metal IPO taps rising interest in the deep sea” Mining Weekly 29 March 2021
Briggs H “Protect our ocean ‘to solve challenges of century’” BBC 17 March 2021
Miscellaneous
“Rare IMF relief offers a hope of green recovery to debt-laden nations” Climate Home News 26 March 2021
Wheatley J “UN chief warns of coming debt crisis for developing world” BusinessLive 29 March 2021
“WATCH | First volcano eruption on the Iceland’s peninsula since the 12th century” TimesLive 24 March 2021
“Drought, fire and flood devastate Australians in the bush” TimesLive 29 March 2021
Vacancies, Bursaries, Funding, Opportunities, etc.
National
ELA Student essay competition
Closing date: 31 May 2021
More information
Animal Law Reform South Africa: Executive Director, Lawyer
Closing date: 9 April 2021
More information
The SARCPL has positions for the following postgraduate, full-time programmes: LLM (2 years); LLD (3 years); and 2 Postdoctoral research fellowship (2 years)
To apply, e-mail your documents to before or on 31th March 2021.
For more information, please visit our website
For enquiries: Prof Zsa Zsa Boggenpoel (Chair at the SARCPL), , 021 808 3194, CL Marais Building, Crozier Street, Stellenbosch Central, 7600.
Full Advert
Ndlovu De Villiers Attorneys: Vacancy – Candidate Attorney 2021
NDV is looking to appoint a dynamic and passionate candidate attorney to join their team and to begin articles of clerkship in April or May 2021. Prospective Applicants can apply by submitting: a Letter of Motivation (no longer than 2 pages), detailed CV, academic transcript, two references; and ID Document. Applications can be submitted to: on or before 31 March 2021. If you need any father information from me with regards to this advert please feel free to contact me Akhona Mkhize Office Administrator Tel: 033 001 7521 Cell: 082 437 5841 Fax: 086 272 8791 Email: Website: www.ndvlaw.co.za
University of the Free State Faculty of Law: Lecturer / Senior Lecturer / Associate Professor / Professor in Department of Mercantile Law
Closing date: 9 April 2021
More information
Current vacancies in the Government Sector – to be found here
NWU competition discovers and develops next generation of female engineers
Are you a high school girl looking at the world around you and imagining ways in which you can make it better? You may be part of the next generation of female engineers who, with fresh, innovative ideas, will make a profound impact not only on South Africa and Africa, but also globally! You now have the opportunity to kick-start your career in engineering and at the same time be in line to win a once-in-a-lifetime prize if you triumph as overall winner. But hurry up – entries close on 3 May 2021. The North-West University and the Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Sector Education and Training Authority (merSETA) have joined forces to discover, develop and support future female engineers through the annual Modiragatsi innovation competition. Modiragatsi gives high school girls between the ages of 15 and 18 the opportunity to try their hand at and shine in the one thing engineers are known for – problem-solving! Even though engineering is traditionally a male-dominated field, it is a well-known fact that female engineers excel in creative problem-solving. Read more: https://bit.ly/3w4VOU2
Candidate Attorney 2023 (Pretoria Branch)
More information
Candidate Attorney 2023 (Cape Town Branch)
More information
Cape Peninsula University of Technology: Lecturer / Junior Lecturer: Maritime Studies [ECP 5-year contract] X2 [Shipping / Maritime law]
Closing date: 4 April 2021
More information
Cape Peninsula University of Technology: Lecturer/ECP Coordinator: Maritime Studies [ECP 5-year contract]
Closing date: 4 April 2021
More information
Recruitment Agency: Tax Lawyer Gauteng
More information
International
VU University of Amsterdam Department of Environmental Policy Analysis – Assistant Professor in Governance of Global Biodiversity
University of Amsterdam Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences – Assistant Professors in Public Policy and Governance
University of New South Wales – President and Vice-Chancellor
Assistant/Associate/Full Professor in Law and Society
York University Department of Social Science
Postdoc Position in Sustainability Science
University of Copenhagen
PhD Scholarship in Public Procurement Law
University of Copenhagen Faculty of Law
PhD Position in Sustainability and Procurement in International, European, and National Systems
University of Copenhagen Faculty of Law
Dean and Pro Vice-Chancellor
Auckland University of Technology
Dean of Faculty of Law
University of Helsinki Faculty of Law
Research Assistant in Law
University of Hong Kong Department of Law
Assistant Professor In Law
Dublin City University School of Law and Government
Assistant Professor in Governance of Global Biodiversity
VU University of Amsterdam Department of Environmental Policy Analysis
Assistant Professors in Public Policy and Governance
University of Amsterdam Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences
Assistant Professor in Law and Economics
University of Amsterdam Amsterdam Law School
Postdoctoral Fellow Philosophy of Criminal Law
University of Bergen Faculty of law
Postdoctoral Fellow in Criminal Law/Legal Empirical Studies
University of Bergen Faculty of law
Postdoctoral Fellow in Philosophy of Criminal Law
University of Bergen Faculty of law
Associate Senior Lecturer in Law and AI
Lund University Faculty of Law
Associate Senior Lecturer in Law and Sustainability
Lund University Faculty of Law
Doctoral Position in Public Law, Specializing in Migration Law
Lund University Faculty of Law
Doctoral Positions in Laws
Lund University Faculty of Law
Doctoral Positions in Human Rights
Lund University Faculty of Law
Associate Professor in Law
University of Washington School of Law
Germany: Training Programme: Digital Managing Global Governance
Four month training and dialogue programme on various aspects of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Deadline for scholarship applications: 31 March 2021. More information
Ministry of Education Taiwan Scholarship Programme: Taiwan: bachelor’s, Master’s and PHD
Deadline for scholarship applications: 31 March 2021. More information
Netherlands: Orange Tulip Scholarship Programme
Closing date: 1 April 2021
More information
Mauritius-Africa Scholarship Scheme: Diploma, Bachelor’s, Master’s and PHD
Deadline for the fellowship application: 05 April 2021. More information
Korea: Master of Urban Administration and Planning Scholarship Programme for Civil Servants
Closing date: 15 April 2021. More information
Canada: University of Alberta Graduate Study Opportunities: Master’s and PHD
More information
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