ELA Newsletter 2021-27

23 July 2021

Legislation

Directions

Disaster Management Act 57 of 2002 – Directions

• GN 635 in GG 44872 of 19 July 2021 – Amendment to Directions relating to measures to prevent and combat the spread of COVID-19: Sports, Arts and Culture
• GN R637 in GG 44874 of 20 July 2021 – Covid-19 Temporary Employee/Employer Relief Scheme (C19 TERS) Direction, 2021 published with effect from 16 March 2021 until 25 July 2021
• GN 647 in GG 44883 of 21 July 2021 – Directions to address, prevent and combat the spread of COVID-19 in all correctional centres and remand detention facilities in the Republic of South Africa published and GN 54 in GG 44111 of 28 January 2021 withdrawn

Notices

National Water Act 36 of 1998 – GN 630 in GG 44866 of 16 July 2021 – Extending period for comments of Draft Regulations for the Use of Water for Exploration and Production of Onshore Naturally Occurring Hydrocarbons that Require Stimulation including Hydraulic Fracturing and Underground Coal Gasification to Extract and any Activity Incidental Thereto that may Impact Detrimentally on the Water Resource, 2021 published in GN 406 in GG 44545 of 7 May 2021

National Water Act 36 of 1998 – GN 646 in GG 44881 of 23 July 2021 – Lifting of water restriction from Umhlathuze water supply system in KwaZulu-Natal

Public Finance Management Act 1 of 1999 – GN 628 in GG 44866 of 16 July 2021 – Borrowing powers of Water Boards listed under Schedule 3 Part B of the Act

Disaster Management Act 57 of 2002 – GN 638 in GG 44876 of 20 July 2021 – Classification of drought as a National Disaster

National Health Act 61 of 2003 – GN 636 in GG 44873 of 19 July 2021 – Extension of comments period for the Regulations relating to the Certificate of Need for Health Establishments and Health Agencies published in GN 528 in GG 44714 of 15 June 2021

National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act 39 of 2004 – GN 623 in GG 44866 of 16 July 2021 – Draft South African Atmospheric Emission Licence and Inventory Portal (SAAELIP) Data Management Policy, 2021 – for comment

National Environmental Management: Integrated Coastal Management Act 24 of 2008 – GN 641 in GG 44881 of 23 July 2021 – Delegation of powers in terms of section 89 (1) (c) – Regulations 4, 5, 6 and 8 of the Control of Use of Vehicles in the Coastal Area Regulations

Financial Markets Act 19 of 2012 – BN 80 in GG 44866 of 16 July 2021 – Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA): Notice of approval of the amendments to the Equity Express Securities Exchange (EESE) Rules

National Nuclear Regulator Act 47 of 1999 – GN 645 in GG 44881 of 23 July 2021 – Nuclear Installation Site Licence (NISL) application received from Eskom Holdings SOC Limited for the Thyspunt site: Public hearings

Carbon Tax Act 15 of 2019 – GN 595 in GG 44818 of 8 July 2021 – Amendment to Regulations

Provinces

Eastern Cape

Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 – PN 95 in PG 4594 of 16 July 2021 – White Paper on the mandate of the Eastern Cape Socio-Economic Consultative Council (ECSECC) – for comment

Local Government: Municipal Systems Act 32 of 2000 – LAN 174 in PG 4596 of 19 July 2021 – Matatiele Local Municipality – By-laws relating to keeping of animals, birds, poultry, cats, dogs and pets and businesses involving the keeping of animals, birds, poultry, cats, dogs and pets

Local Government: Municipal Systems Act 32 of 2000 – LAN 176 in PG 4597 of 22 July 2021 – Kouga Local Municipality (EC108) – Erratum – Extraction of extension of Local State of Disaster due to the prevailing drought conditions

Mpumalanga

National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act 57 of 2003 – PN 73 in PG 3281 of 16 July 2021 – Pixley ka Seme Local Municipality – Declaration of a protected environment: Afrikan Farms Protected Environment

National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act 57 of 2003 – PN 74 in PG 3281 of 16 July 2021 – Steve Tshwete Local Municipality – Declaration of a nature reserve: Bezuidenhoutshoek Nature Reserve

Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 and Local Government: Municipal Systems Act 32 of 2000 – PN 75 in PG 3281 of 16 July 2021 – Victor Khanye Local Municipality – Water Supply By-laws

Local Government: Municipal Systems Act 32 of 2000 – PN 75 in PG 3281 of 16 July 2021 – Victor Khanye Local Municipality – Waste Water By-laws

Western Cape

Western Cape Provincial Transport Infrastructure Bill [B 5–2021] – PN 76 in PG 8464 of 20 July 2021 – Bill and memorandum on the objects of the Bill – for comment

North West

Local Government: Municipal Systems Act 32 of 2000 – LAN 78 in PG 8240 of 20 July 2021 – City of Matlosana Local Municipality – Amendment to the Rules of Order By-law

______________________________________________________________________________________

CASES

National

Minister of Water and Sanitation v Sembcorp Siza Water (Pty) Ltd and Another (CCT 300/19) [2021] ZACC 21 (23 July 2021)
“Summary: Water Services Act No 108 of 1997 — section 31 — powers of water boards to set tariffs — lawful and rational
Local Government Finance Management Act No 56 of 2003 — section 42 — confers no power on Minister to set tariff”

South African Human Rights Commission v Msunduzi Local Municipality and Others (8407/2020P) [2021] ZAKZPHC 35 (17 June 2021)
Structural interdict – waste management licence
“2.  It is hereby declared that the first respondent is in breach of the Variation Waste Management Licence issued by the second respondent on 3 July 2017, in respect of the operation of the New England Road Landfill Site on Lot 1853 of the Farm Darvill No 15036, New England Road, Pietermaritzburg.
It is hereby declared that the first respondent is in breach of:
3.1.  Section 24 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996;
3.2.  Section 20(b) of the National Environmental Management: Waste Act 59 of 2008;
3.3.  Section 31L(4) of the National Environmental Management Act 107 of 1998;
3.4.  Section 28(1) and (3) of the National Environmental Management Act 107 of 1998;
3.5.  Section 19(1) of the National Water Act 36 of 1998; and
3.6.  Its obligations in terms of international law.”

Publications

National

Coggin Thomas: “Recalibrating Everyday Space: Using Section 24 of the South African Constitution to Resolve Contestation in the Urban and Spatial Environment” 2021 24 PER / PELJ 1-26

Geach W (ed) Companies and other Business Structures in South Africa 5^th ed (Oxford University Press 2021)

International

Orford AD “Tools for Regulators in a Changing Climate: Proposed Standards, State Policies, and Case Studies from the Western Grid” 2020 32 The Georgetown Envtl. Law Review 227-298

Keeley JE et al “Ignitions explain more than temperature or precipitation in driving Santa Ana wind fires” 2021 7(30) Science Advances DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abh2262

News, Blogs, Discussions, Websites, Videos, ETC

South Africa

Biodiversity, Protected Areas, Culture

TimesLive: Nombembe P “Trio slapped with three-year jail sentences for rhino horn theft” 16 July 2021

Mail & Guardian: Bega S “Big mission to save tiny frog” 24 July 2021

Mail & Guardian: Stoltz E “Alleged rhino kingpin and an Mpumalanga businessman arrested for possession of 19 rhino horns” 23 July 2021

SANBI: SANBI Webinar held on 12 July 2021:  Event Recording Part 1 and Part 2

IOL: Francke R-L “Eastern Cape suspect busted with abalone worth over R3.7 million” 23 July 2021

Daily Maverick: Oxford P “We need a different solution to enable baboons and humans to co-exist, not the same old, tired arguments” 22 July 2021

The Conversation: Santos Souza F and Martin SJ “Bees, mites and viruses: assessing the risk to South African crop pollinators” 22 July 2021

IOL: Engel K “Western Cape Biodiversity Bill to guard the province’s ecosystems” 16 July 2021 [Legalbrief Environmental 20 July 2021]

Mail & Guardian: Bega S “Race to save the Richtersveld from mass extinction” 17 July 2021

Mail & Guardian: Bega S “Predators: Beauties or beasts?” 24 July 2021

Climate Change and Energy

Daily Maverick: Yelland C “Outdated thinking and reactionary rules hold back electricity supply in South Africa” 19 July 2021

Daily Maverick: “SA risks being left behind by the global green economic growth drive” 12 July 2021

Daily Maverick: Banda M “’The world and South Africa is watching. Why hasn’t Parliament adopted the climate justice charter?’” 22 July 2021

The Conversation: Kahn Z “How the rollout of South Africa’s renewable energy plan is failing communities” 22 July 2021

Bizcommunity: “How local content in the renewable energy value chain can boost the economy” 21 July 2021

Lexology CMS South Africa: Majola B and Noeth G “More than a flick of a switch, but soon as will be charging ahead” 13 July 2021

IOL: Ginindza B “Allowing companies to produce up to 100MW may not be SA’s panacea” 19 July 2021

Bizcommunity: “LG aims for 100% renewable energy use by 2050” 22 July 2021

Bizcommunity: “Carbon Offset Regulations amendments gazetted” 22 July 2021

Bizcommunity: “South32 secures power agreement for South African Hillside smelter” 23 July 2021

Environmental enforcement

Daily Maverick: Bloom K “Thirstlands of EAPASA: The failures of our environmental regulator” 18 July 2021

DFFE: “Draft Ecosystem Environmental Assessment Guideline has been extended until the 6th of August 2021. Please submit comments tothe following email address: . The document and the recommended format for comment submission can be downloaded from the following handle. Regulation 16(1)(b)(v) of the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, 2014 (EIA Regulations) provides that an applicant for Environmental Authorisation is required to submit a report generated by the Screening Tool as part of its application. In addition, on the 20th of March 2020, the Minister gazetted a set of Protocols for the assessment and minimum report content requirements of environmental impacts for various environmental themes. SANBI and its partners, have developed a Draft Ecosystem Environmental Assessment Guideline which provides background and context to the minimum assessment and reporting criteria contained within the Terrestrial and Aquatic Biodiversity Protocols which were gazetted on the 20th of March 2020 (Government Notice No. 320 in Government Gazette No. 43110) and comments are required on such as indicated above.” [Abigail Bahindwa Specialist Advisor: Environmental Management SANBI – Biodiversity and Land Use (BLU) Project]

Timeslive: Nombembe P “Retired magistrates and prosecutors roped in to expedite unrest cases” 17 July 2021

Bizcommunity: Hinxman L “Are we doing enough to protect our whistleblowers?” 19 July 2021

Local Government

Daily Maverick: Carnie T “New health warnings issued in Durban over toxic fumes stemming from chemical blaze” 20 July 2021

Daily Maverick: Carnie T “Unanswered questions after arson attack at Durban pesticide warehouse and toxic air cloud” 19 July 2021

Mail & Guardian: Philips T “Cornubia: Authorities to investigate UPL after chemical blaze” 22 July 2021

DFFE: “DFFE to provide support in relation to the UPL fire incident in Kwazulu-Natal” 21 July 2021

IOL: Francke R-L “Western Cape municipalities participating in initiative to ditch Eskom sign MOUs” 23 July 2021

amaBhungane: Timse T “Ekurhuleni: High hopes trashed as hundreds of millions promised to community contractors evaporate” 20 July 2021

Thomas Reuters Foundation: Harrisberg K “Sharp-eyed grandmothers combat looting and crime in South Africa” 14 July 2021

Mail & Guardian: Phillips T “Durban tackles heat island effect” 17 July 2021

BBC: Harrabin R “Road planners able to ignore climate change, campaigners claim” 23 July 2021

Mining

Daily Maverick: Holden P “Part Five: How the Guptas used their loot” 11 July 2021 [Legalbrief Forensic 22 July 2021]

Mail & Guardian: Bega S “Creecy taken to court over oil, gas plan” 24 July 2021

Bizcommunity: “Rio Tinto to shut furnace at South Africa mineral sands project” 22 July 2021

Bizcommunity: Espin J “ESG and building resilience in the mining industry” 20 July 2021

Bizcommunity: Farmer J “Adapting mandatory training to the digital age is critical to ensuring ongoing mine safety in the pandemic” 19 July 2021

BusinessLive: Biesheuvel T, Nair D and David R “BHP said to weigh ditching oil and gas in fossil fuel retreat” 20 July 2021

Mining Weekly: Creamer M “Metals make climate change mitigation possible – Citi Research” 23 July 2021

Mining Weekly: Creamer T “Report calls for freeze on new coal, warns of risks if energy transition is delayed” 23 July 2021

Mining Weekly: “Platinum giants eye solar power as green answer to blackouts” 23 July 2021

Water, Waste, Oceans and Chemicals

Daily Maverick: Begg A “In deep water: The sad, sorry state of Gauteng’s Hennops River” 18 July 2021

Daily Maverick: Sgqolana T “Eastern Cape’s Amathole district: Taps in drought-stricken region could run dry within a few months” 22 July 2021

Daily Maverick: Spear D “Nurdle spills point to a bigger problem of too much plastic” 23 July 2021

Bizcommunity: “Balancing food safety with packaging sustainability” 22 July 2021

TimesLive: Nkanjeni U “Basic economics or waste? SA divided by government’s decision to destroy recovered looted goods” 25 July 2021

allAfrica: “South Africa: Water and Sanitation Commits to Monitor Its Entities to Ensure Optimum Delivery of Services” 23 July 2021

allAfrica: “South Africa: Water and Sanitation Warns of Low Water Levels in the Country’s Dams” 22 July 2021

allAfrica: Sgqolana T “South Africa: Eastern Cape’s Amathole District – Taps in Drought-Stricken Region Could Run Dry Within a Few Months” 22 July 2021

Miscellaneous

The Conversation: Friedman S “Violence in South Africa: an uprising of elites, not of the people” 22 July 2021

The Conversation: Taylor H “South Africa’s Constitutional Court: the case for judicial dissent, and the caveats” 16 July 2021

Bizcommunity: Ntuli L “Private sector must accelerate efforts on sustainability” 19 July 2021

Africa

Biodiversity, Soil, Protected Areas and Culture

Scientific American: O’Connell C “Play Is Serious Business for Elephants” 1 August 2021

Daily Maverick: Pinnock D “Kenyan forest defender Joanna Stutchbury assassinated in gangster-style slaying’ 20 July 2021 [Legalbrief 22 July 2021]

allAfrica: Khalif A “Somalia: New Somalia Law Seeks to Rescue Fisheries from Looters” 19 July 2021

allAfrica: “Mozambique: Maximise Planting of Mangroves, Urges Deputy Minister” 26 July 2021

allAfrica: Cece S “Kenya: Wildlife Attack Claims Hit Sh14 Billion, Says Balala” 24 July 2021

allAfrica: “Zimbabwe: Wildlife, Human Conflict Needs Better Solutions” 23 July 2021

allAfrica: Lupande F “Zimbabwe: Jumbo Attacks On the Rise” 22 July 2021

allAfrica: Bii B “Kenya: Masterplan to Restore Degraded Cherangany-Elgeyo Hills Launched” 24 July 2021

allAfrica: Taylor M “Africa: New Warning System to Sound Alarm On Rainforest ‘Tipping Points’” 23 July 2021

allAfrica: Kindzeka ME “West Africa: Cameroon Police Intercept Pangolin Scales Trafficked from 3 Central African States” 22 July 2021

Climate Change and Energy

Daily Maverick: Ngcuka O “SADC climate financing too limited to boost renewables in the region”18 July 2021

UNFCCC: Updated Nationally Determined Contribution of Ethiopia (July 2021)

Extractives Baraza: Arkwright P “Nigeria: The UK Has a Part to Play in The Climate Crisis” 21 July 2021

Extractives Baraza: Kivuva A “Africa: Opibus Sets Sights on Building Electric Mining Vehicles” 21 July 2021

Sunday Times: Gillespie T and Hurst L “Nigerian victims of Shell oil pollution are a step closer to justice” 13 July 2021

allAfrica: Cochrane JH “Liberia: The Fallacy of Climate Financial Risk” 23 July 2021

Environmental enforcement

allAfrica: Kitimo A “Kenyatta Vows to Resolve Water, Land Issues in Coast Before His Term Ends” 22 July 2021

Local government

allAfrica: Goering L “Africa: Climate Action Must Happen ‘For Our People, Not to Them’, Cities Say” 23 July 2021

The Independent: Rodriques C “Madagascar famine becomes first in history to be caused solely by climate crisis” 22 July 2021

Mining

Extractives Baraza: “Africa: Trends in Underground Hard-Rock Mining for Gold and Base Metals” 21 July 2021

Extractives Baraza: “Burundi: Government Accuses Mining Companies of Plunder” 21 July 2021

Extractives Baraza: “Why African Oil Producers Need to Shift Their Strategy in Post-Fossil Fuels Era” 21 July 2021

Extractives Baraza: “Taxpayers Should Not Be Left with The Bill to Clean Up Orphaned Oil and Gas Wells” 21 July 2021

The Conversation: Kirshner J, Salite D and Cotton M “Mozambique’s fossil fuel drive is entrenching poverty and conflict” 15 July 2021

Bizcommunity: Rumney and Lewis D “Mozambique’s gas ambitions rest on distant hope of peace” 22 July 2021

Bizcommunity: “Congo’s cobalt monopoly to set price floor for artisanal miners” 16 July 2021

Mail & Guardian: Brima A “Sierra Leoneans want a share of mining profits, or they want compensation” 23 July 2021

Mining Weekly: Slater D “Akobo confident of small-scale mining potential with Segele exploration” [Ethiopia] 23 July 2021

Mining Weekly: Arnoldi M “Deep-South takes Namibian Mines Ministry to court over licence denial” 23 July 2021

Water, Oceans, Waste and Chemicals

The Conversation: Onuoha FC “Nigeria’s ambitious new maritime security project must avoid old traps” 21 July 2021

Bizcommunity: Endeshaw D “Ethiopia says second filling of giant dam on Blue Nile complete” 20 July 2021

allAfrica: Nyarota D “Zimbabwe: CPU Stalls Marange Community Dam Project” 22 July 2021

allAfrica: Atieno W “Kenya: Cemeteries Turned into Dumpsites in Mombasa” 22 July 2021

Miscellaneous

The Conversation: Akombi-Inyang B “Malnutrition among children is rife in Nigeria. What must be done” 22 July 2021

The Conversation: Matsinhe D “How Frelimo betrayed Samora Machel’s dream of a free Mozambique” 18 July 2021

International

Biodiversity, Protected Areas, and Culture

Lexology: “DC Circuit Orders EPA to Reconsider 2019 Renewable Fuel Standard Effects on Endangered Species” 21 July 2021

IISD SDG Knowledge Hub: “WTO Members Move Closer to Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies” 19 July 2021

Thomas Reuters Foundation: Biron C-L “U.S. ‘loophole’ can push organic farmers to destroy wildland” 14 July 2021

The Conversation: Lim M “Repeating mistakes: why the plan to protect the world’s wildlife falls short” 16 July 2021

The Jurist: Geris E “France to ban chick culling in 2022” 22 July 2021

The Guardian: Barkham P “Should rivers have the same rights as people?” 25 July 2021

The Guardian: “Snow leopard at San Diego zoo catches coronavirus” 25 July 2021

The Guardian: Coulson D “The insect apocalypse: ‘Our world will grind to a halt without them’” 25 July 2021

The Guardian: Turner A “‘Honeybees are voracious’: is it time to put the brakes on the boom in beekeeping?” 25 July 2021

The Guardian: Stone M “‘I can see the industry disappearing’: US fishermen sound alarm at plans for offshore wind” 24 July 2021

Climate Change and Energy

Daily Maverick: Van Diemen E “Global average temperature predicted to temporarily rise above tipping point in next five years” 22 July 2021

Carbon Pulse: “New banking regulations “unduly penalise” EU carbon trading, financial markets trade group warns” 23 July 2021

Bloomberg: Blas J “The Saudi Prince of Oil Prices Vows to Drill ‘Every Last Molecule’” 22 July 2021

Reuters: Jessop S and Abnett K “Gas lobbyists ramp up efforts as EU mulls sustainability label” 22 July 2021

CBC: Thurton D “Ottawa, provinces and territories not on track to meet new climate targets: report” 22 July 2021

Science: Nogrady B “China launches world’s largest carbon market: but is it ambitious enough?” 20 July 2021

Lexology: “Developments in hydrogen certification – July 2021 update” [Australia] 21 July 2021

Carbon Pulse: “Oil industry falls short of 1.5C goals, finds study that takes a hard line on offsets” 22 July 2021

IISD SDG Knowledge Hub: “Report Highlights Opportunities for Coordinated Action on Climate, Chemicals” 21 July 2021

Bloomberg Green: Mathis W “Greening Energy to Fight Climate Threat May Cost $92 Trillion” 21 July 2021

Euractiv: Kurmayer NJ “EU industry shuns carbon border levy, calls for export rebates” 21 July 2021

The Hill: Mintz JA “Leadership and the challenge of climate change” [USA] 20 July 2021

Lexology: “Pennsylvania’s Environmental Quality Board oks regulations targeting power sector greenhouse gas emissions” [USA] 14 July 2021

Lexology: “The Reemergence of the Social Cost of Carbon as an Important Policy Tool in Tackling Climate Change” [USA] 9 July 2021

Bloomberg: “Climate Policy Factbook Three priority areas for climate action” 20 July 2021

Lexology: “Australia: AgriTech – A Promising Response to Climate Change” 16 July 2021

Lexology: “British Columbia Announces Hydrogen Strategy” [Canada] 15 July 2021

Lexology: “Fit for 55: EU reveals suite of proposals to combat climate change’ 15 July 2021

The Guardian: Mckie R et al “Plans of four G20 states are threat to global climate pledge, warn scientists” 25 July 2021

The Guardian: Milman O “US set for punishing temperatures as huge ‘heat dome’ to settle over country” 24 July 2021

The Guardian: Uteuova A “The cost of cooling: how air conditioning is heating up the world” 25 July 2021

The Guardian: Grover N “Hitting global climate target could create 8m energy jobs, study says” 23 July 2021

The Guardian: Morton A “Australia’s reliance on gas exports questioned as Japan winds down fossil fuel power” 22 July 2021

The Guardian: Ambrose J “Great Britain faces rising risk of winter blackouts, system operator warns” 22 July 2021

The Guardian: Morton A “Australia has huge potential to develop offshore windfarms near existing substations, report says” 21 July 2021

The Independent: “‘Archaeology of climate change’ aims to help plan response to environmental emergency” 21 July 2021

The Independent: Ng K “Tokyo 2020: Everything you need to Know about Sustainability at ‘First-Ever Carbon Negative Olympics’” 23 July 2021

BBC: “Bryn wind farm: Calls to withdraw 250m-high turbines plan” 25 July 2021

Euractiv: Taylor K “EU’s green hydrogen plans hailed as ‘true game-changer’ by industry” 20 July 2021

Carbon Brief: Tandon A “Clouds study finds that low climate sensitivity is ‘extremely unlikely’” 21 July 2021

Clean Energy Wire: Appunn K “Emission reduction panacea or recipe for trade war? The EU’s carbon border tax debate” 23 July 2021

Clean Energy Wire: “Climate activists demand faster energy transition after flood disaster hits Germany” 23 July 2021

Environmental Enforcement

Lexology: “Kicking the climate can down the road: BP v. Baltimore and Chevron v. Oakland” [USA] 20 July 2021

Lexology: “Stay of enforcement of environmental decisions—now what?” [Poland] 15 July 2021

The Enquirer: Bischoff LA and Balmert J “FirstEnergy charged in Ohio bribery scheme, agrees to deferred prosecution settlement for $230 million” [USA] 22 July 2021

Lexology: “New York Appellate Court Finds Lead Agency Took Sufficient “Hard Look” At Environmental Impacts Under SEQRA to Approve Commercial Development” 20 July 2021

Lexology: “SA taxpayer jailed for fraudulent fuel rebate claims” [Australia] 15 July 2021

Lexology: “Murky waters: record £90 million fine for dumping sewage” 19 July 2021

Lexology: “FAQ: What is the disclosure regime for environmental information under the Government Information (Public Access) Act?” [Netherlands] 16 July 2021

Lexology: “New Environmental Law Regime in Victoria” [Australia] 19 July 2021

Lexology: “MEPA Office Issues Revised Protocols on Climate Change and Environmental Justice” 15 July 2021

Lexology: “Six-Alarm Fire in Chemical Plant Results in Environmental Suit” 15 July 2021

Lexology: “Recent developments on climate change litigation” [Europe] 15 July 2021

The Jurist: Paulick M “US Senate rejects procedural vote to begin debate on infrastructure bill” 22 July 2021

The Jurist: Gillett MT “US Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals rejects environmental challenge to DACA” 22 July 2021

The Jurist: Eachambadi R “India Supreme Court: religious rights subservient to right to health and life” 20 July 2021

The Guardian: Mouls J “Outrage as Italy faces multimillion pound damages to UK oil firm” 25 July 2021

The Guardian: Ambrose J “Oil giant Shell set to appeal against ruling on carbon emissions” 20 July 2021

The Independent: Mathers M “Stop Cambo oil field or we’ll see you in court, Greenpeace warns government” 22 July 2021

Local government

Lexology: “Covid-19: Human Resources Ministry releases Health and Safety Guidance Notes on Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality” [Malaysia] 21 July 2021

Thomas Reuters Foundation: Chandran R “Thai low-cost housing plan puts slum dwellers in charge” 16 July 2021

Thomas Reuters Foundation: Banerji A “Demolition near Delhi feared leaving 100,000 Indian villagers homeless” 14 July 2021

Thomas Reuters Foundation: Lavietes M “Miami building collapse puts spotlight on climate change risks” 14 July 2021

The Guardian: Burston C and Cecco L “‘There’s nothing left in Lytton’: the Canadian village destroyed by wildfire – picture essay” 25 July 2021

The Guardian: Tapper J “Roses out, olives in: the new English garden in a time of climate crisis” 25 July 2021

The Independent: Trev B “A water crisis is creating nightmare conditions across the Middle East” 25 July 2021

Sydney Morning Herald: Hannam P “South Coast villages brace for development influx amid city exodus” 25 July 2021

Sydney Morning Herald: Shields B “Fit for a king: Prince Charles’ experimental city is proving critics wrong” 25 July 2021

Euractiv: Bauer-Babef C “France to capitalise on ‘resounding success’ of green renovation” 22 July 2021

Mining

Lexology: “The future of lending to the oil and gas sector” 22 July 2021

Los Angeles Times: “Caltech says it regrets drilling holes in sacred Native American petroglyph site” 19 July 2021

The Jurist: Johnson H “Minnesota appeals court remands state agency permit for PolyMet copper-nickel mine” 22 July 2021

The Guardian: Ambrose J “UK faces legal action over North Sea oilfield exploration plans” 23 July 2021

The Guardian: Smee B “New Hope mining company referred to Asic, accused of misleading investors over future of coal” 21 July 2021

The Independent: Jaay C “‘Utterly reckless’: Why we need a ban on deep sea mining” 24 July 2021

Mining Weekly: “Berkeley takes first steps to overturn unfavourable Salamanca decision” [Spain] 23 July 2021

Mining Weekly: “Brazil prosecutors target final Samarco dam settlement this year” 23 July 2021

Mining Weekly: “Hudson says Greenland projects unaffected by legislative changes” 23 July 2021

Mining Weekly: “Record US coal shipments to China highlights Australia’s pain” 22 July 2021

Reuters: “U.S. judge rules Lithium Americas may excavate Nevada mine site” 25 July 2021

Water, Oceans, Waste and Chemicals

Stetson Law: Gardner and Okuno E “Towards a Universal Declaration of the Rights of Wetlands,” 2020 Marine and Freshwater Research.

Science: Normile D “Great Barrier Reef escapes ‘in danger’ listing after intense Australian lobby” 23 July 2021

Science: Cornwall W “Europe’s deadly floods leave scientists stunned” 20 July 2021

Science: Miller LA “Fluid flow through a deep-sea sponge could inspire engineering designs” 21 July 2021

Lexology: “Plan for the Ban:Plastics Classified as “Toxic Substance” Under Canadian Environmental Protection Act” 19 July 2021

Lexology: “OEHHA Releases Long-Awaited Proposed Public Health Goals for PFOA and PFOS” [USA] 22 July 2021

Lexology: “At least we have one Clean Water Act rule for everyone . . . for now.” [USA] 21 July 2021

Lexology: “Regulatory framework for the reclamation of slightly contaminated soil” [Canada] 13 July 2021

Lexology: “New TSCA Section 8(d) Rule Adds 50 Chemicals to Reporting Requirements” [USA] 20 July 2021

IISD SDG Knowledge Hub: “Ministers Pledge Funding, Commitment for Chemicals Action” 21 July 2021

IISD ENB: Vienna Convention and Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer | 2nd Part of the 43rd Meeting of the Open-ended Working Group of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol (OEWG 43) | 14–17 July 2021 | Online

The Guardian: Readfearn G “The Great Barrier Reef is not on the ‘in danger’ list. Why, and what happens next?” 24 July 2021

The Guardian: “‘The air is toxic’: how an idyllic California lake became a nightmare” 24 July 2021

The Guardian: Fraser J “Deadly coral disease sweeping Caribbean linked to wastewater from ships” 22 July 2021

Miscellaneous

Daily Maverick: Pinnock D “Nature’s Defenders: Alexander von Humboldt – the most important forgotten man of science” 22 July 2021

Lexology: “Arbitration, business, and human rights” 21 July 2021

Lexology: “The European Green Deal: what options are already available to contracting authorities?” [Netherlands] 16 July 2021

Lexology: “OSTP Will Hold Public Listening Sessions on Scientific Integrity and Evidence-Based Policymaking” 20 July 2021

IISD SDG Knowledge Hub: “2021 HLPF Ministerial Declaration Adopted by Acclamation” 21 July 2021

IISD SDG Knowledge Hub: “HLPF Discusses 42 VNRs, Stumbling Blocks to 2030 Agenda” 19 July 2021

IISD SDG Knowledge Hub: “Finding What the Eye Does Not See: Better Data Needed to Fight Inequality” 21 July 2021

IISD SDG Knowledge Hub: “Moving Data from the Bottom Up to Harness the Power of Communities” 21 July 2021

IISD SDG Knowledge Hub: “Side Event Highlights Efforts to Make SDG Data More Accessible to Youth” 19 July 2021

IISD SDG Knowledge Hub: “Expanded View of Wealth Can Inform COVID Recovery: HLPF Side Event” 19 July 2021

Lexology: “China Publishes Environmental and Social Disclosure Rules for Listed Companies” 15 July2 021

Polity: “Future of Reusable Consumption Models” 23 July 2021

Conferences, Workshops, Study Opportunities

National

• 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

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

• 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

CLES Online Colloquium: The potential of technology and innovation towards realising South Africa’s constitutional water right
Some of South Africa’s brightest minds in this field are presenting in the Colloquium: Prof Michael Kidd, Prof Nathan Cooper, Carin Bosman, Jay Bhagwan, Jacques de Vos and Dr Nicolene Steyn. Find the programme here
Colloquium date:  20 August 2021
Time: 10:00 am – 13:00 pm
Registration

DSI/NRF/CSIR Chair in Waste and Society Webinar Series
Date: Thursday, 29 July 2021 @ 12h00 PM

IAIAsa MPU Branch Event – DFFE Updates to the Screening Tool and the Data
Date: 30 July 2021
Time: 09:00-11:30
Registration before 29 July 2021 13:00
More information

UCT Law Short Course: Corporate due diligence
This course will look at the modern, focused approach to running a corporate due diligence.
Date: 19-20 August 2021
Registration

SAEEC: Measure and verify energy savings in compliance with international and local standards, legislation and regulations
3-5 August 2021
Duration: 3 days Livestreamed plus 4-hour international examination
CPD: 3 CPD Credits for course with 1 CPD Credit awarded to an exam sitting
Booking

SAEEC: Raise the professional standards of those engaged in carbon reduction
Dates: 13-14 August 2021
Duration: 2 days Livestreamed plus 4-hour international examination
CPD: 2 CPD Credits for course with 1 CPD Credit awarded to an exam sitting
Booking

SAEEC: Internationally acclaimed AEE Flagship Course: Certified Energy Manager (CEM)
Dates: 15-20 November 2021
Duration: 6 days Livestreamed plus 4-hour international examination
CPD: 5 CPD Credits for course with 1 CPD Credit awarded to an exam sitting

International

The Road to COP 26/CMA 3 Preparatory Lecture Series:
Date: 26 August 2021, 10:00 (London) / 18:00 (SGT) Streamlining the Ocean into COP 26 and beyond by Nilufer Oral, Director, CIL-NUS and Member of the International Law Commission
Date: 24 September 2021, 10:00 (London) / 18:00 (SGT) Equity and Fairness in International Climate Change Law by Lavanya Rajamani, Professor of International Environmental Law, Faculty of Law, University of Oxford
Date: 8 October 2021, 10:00 (London) / 18:00 (SGT) The Compensation Question: Loss and Damages by Linda Siegele, Legal Advisor to AOSIS Member States
More information

IAIA22: Confidence in Impact Assessment: Policies, partnerships and public involvement
Dates: 4-7 May 2022
Place: Vancouver Convention Center East, Vancouver, Canada
More information

ACCESS Conversations on Climate Change

Panel 1: What exactly is UNFCCC, IPCC, NDCs, & COP; how does it all work & how does it affect us ? With Xolisa Ngwadla and Debra Roberts, moderated by Guy Midgley (27th July @16h00).

• Panel 2: What is this COP all about, what outcomes are sought? What are the big and important geopolitical forces and concerns? How important are activists and lobbyists? August. Details to follow. •IPCC Assessment Report 6 launch events – To be announced (This will most likely be a separate set if events which will we will inform you about).
• Panel 3: What is SA position going into the event – What is SA’s contribution and role? October. Details to follow.
• Panel 4: Live from COP – what’s happening and what can we anticipate? November. Details to follow.
• Panel 5: COP retrospective: what was achieved and what does it mean for us here? December. Details to follow.

To register please follow this link.

Science Webinars: Healthy planet, healthy people: How climate change impacts human immunology
Date: Wednesday, 28 July 2021
Time: 12 noon Eastern, 9 a.m. Pacific, 5 p.m. UK (BST), 6 p.m. Central Europe (CEST)
Registration

CRISPR Crops: How Scientists are Using Genome Editing to Sequester Carbon
Date: 27 July 2021
Time: 10:00 am-11:00 am PDT/1:00 pm-2:00 pm EDT
Registration

Vacancies, Bursaries, Funding, Opportunities, etc.

National

Senior Corporate Attorney: The Platinum Group
More information

Commercial Litigation Attorney: Supreme Staffing Solutions
More information

Natural Justice
Please note that there will be more positions advertised in the coming weeks for positions in Mozambique, South Africa, Kenya and Senegal. These include Community Environmental Legal Officers (CELOs), Programme Officers and Research or Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Officers. Please keep checking the website.

• Mozambique: Legal Fellow: Mozambique: https://naturaljustice.org/job/legal-fellow-mozambique/ Closing Date: 6 August 2021
• Legal Support Officer: Mozambique: https://naturaljustice.org/job/legal-support-officer-mozambique/Closing Date: 6 August 2021
• South Africa Programme Officer: Community Environmental Legal Officers (Paralegals) programme: https://naturaljustice.org/job/call-for-applications-programme-officer-community-environmental-legal-officers-paralegals-programme/ Closing Date: 31 July 2021
• Senior Programme Officer, Defending Rights: https://naturaljustice.org/job/call-for-applications-senior-programme-officer-defending-rights/Closing Date: 31 July 2021
• Kenya Senior Program Officer Natural Justice, Nairobi Hub: https://naturaljustice.org/job/call-for-applications-senior-program-officer-natural-justice-nairobi-hub/ Closing Date: 30 July 2021
• Research Coordinator Natural Justice, Nairobi Hub: https://naturaljustice.org/job/call-for-applications-research-coordinator-natural-justice-nairobi-hub/Closing Date: 30 July 2021
• Core Legal Practitioner: Just Energy Transition: https://naturaljustice.org/job/legal-practitioner-just-energy-transition-2/
  Closing Date: Position open until filled

From IAIAsa News 2021/2022 of 22 July 2021:

Vacancy : GIS Specialist : South Africa
Closing Date: 31 August 2021

Vacancy : Junior Environmental Consultant / Project Administrator : South Africa
Closing Date: 31 August 2021

Vacancy : Assistant Environmental Compliance Consultant : South Africa
Closing Date: 31 August 2021

Vacancy : Environmental Assessment Practitioner : Tokai Cape Town
Closing Date: 22 July 2021

Vacancy : Junior Environmental Assessment Practitioner : Rivonia, Gauteng
Closing Date: 22 July 2021

United Nations Adviser (Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT)): Pretoria
Closing date: 20 August 2021
More information

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP): Consultant (Mid-Term Review) (home based)
Closing date: 30 July 2021
More information

DFFE: Assistant Director: Wetland Programme (EP9001/2021
Closing date: 2 August 2021
More information

DFFE: Assistant Director: Forestry Regulation and Support (FOM07/2021)
Closing date: 2 August 2021
More information

DFFE: Control Environmental Officer Grade A: Climate Change Mitigation Research and Analysis (CCAQ10/2021)
Closing date: 2 August 2021
More information

International

University of Konstanz: New call for applications for 5-year Research and 2-year Postdoctoral Fellowships
More information
Associate Director of Climate, Asia Society Policy Institute – Flexible Location

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Featured Image: Johan Nel

End