ELA Newsletter 2021-28

Become a member

Member Benefits

30 July 2021

Legislation

Notices

International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa- Gen Not 432 in GG 44906 of 29 July 2021 – Export Control: Extension of Price Preference System on Exportation of Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Waste and Scrap

International Trade Administration Act 71 of 2002 – GN 654 in GG 44905 of 28 July 2021 – Extension of the Policy Directive on the Exportation of Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Waste and Scrap Metal

Disaster Management Act 57 of 2002 – GN R650 in GG 44895 of 25 July 2021 – Determination of Alert Level – Coronavirus COVID-19 Alert Level 3 will apply nationally from 26 July 2021

Disaster Management Act 57 of 2002 – GN R651 in GG 44895 of 25 July 2021 – Amendment of Regulations

Disaster Management Act 57 of 2002 – GN 669 in GG 44911 of 30 July 2021 – Amendment of Regulations

National Environmental Management Act 107 of 1998 – GN 665 in GG 44908 of 30 July 2021 – Department of Public Enterprises – Environmental Implementation Plan 2019

National Ports Act 12 of 2005 – GN 666 in GG 44908 of 30 July 2021 – Incorporation of National Ports Authority as a company in terms of s 3 of the Act

Competition Act 89 of 1998 – GN 663 in GG 44908 of 30 July 2021 – South African Petroleum Industry Association – conditional exemption

National Nuclear Regulator Act 47 of 1999 – Gen Notice 436 in GG 44908 of 30 July 2021 – Cooperative Agreement in Respect of the Monitoring and Control of Radioactive Material or Exposure to Ionising Radiation between National Nuclear Regulator and South African Civil Aviation Authority

Standards Act 8 of 2008 – Gen Notice 437 in GG 44908 of 30 July 2021 Drafts for comment

  • SANS 20904 Ed 2 Hard coal – Sampling of slurries. Sets out the basic methods for sampling fine coal, coal rejects or tailings of nominal top size
  • SANS 10014 Ed 2 Quality management systems – Managing an organization for quality results – Guidance for realizing financial and economic benefits. Gives guidelines for realizing financial and economic benefits
  • SANS 403 Ed 2 Hard coal – Determination of moisture-holding capacity. Gives reference to ASTM D1412 as a method of determining the moisture-holding capacity of hard coals
  • SANS 15238 Ed 2 Solid mineral fuels – Determination of total cadmium content of coal. Specifies a procedure for the determination of the total cadmium content of coal
  • SANS 100013 Ed 2 Guidelines for quality management system documentation. Gives guidance for the development and maintenance of the documented information necessary to support an effective quality management system, tailored to the specific needs of the organization

Standards Act 8 of 2008 – Gen Notice 437 in GG 44908 of 30 July 2021 Amendments to existing standards- for comment

  • ARP 013 Ed 4.1 Rules for the structure and drafting of national standards Amended to update referenced standards, to update terms and definitions, to renumber the definitions accordingly, and to update the information in the annex on basic reference works
  • SATS 2 Ed 1.1 The development of normative documents other than South African National Standards Amended to delete the note to the scope, and to update referenced documents, definitions, and the figure on stages of development

Standards Act 8 of 2008 – Gen Notice 437 in GG 44908 of 30 July 2021 Withdrawal

  • SANS 13600 Ed 1 Technical energy systems – Basic concepts – The standard is obsolete.
  • 2021-09-16 SANS 13601 Ed 1 Technical energy systems – Structure for analysis Energyware supply and demand sectors – The standard is obsolete
  • SANS 6077 Ed 2 Fire test for valves and other assemblies used in fire- hazardous situations The standard is obsolete

Standards Act 8 of 2008 – Gen Notice 437 in GG 44908 of 30 July 2021 New Standards

  • SANS 41014:2021 Ed 1 Facility management – Development of a facility management strategy. Gives guidelines for the development of a strategy for facility management (FM) when the FM organization: a) intends to ensure alignment between FM requirements and the objectives, needs and constraints of the demand organizations core business; b) wants to improve the usefulness and benefits provided by the facilities for the betterment of the demand organization and its core business; c) aims to meet the needs of stakeholders and applicable provisions consistently; d) aims to be sustainable in a globally competitive environment
  • SANS 60076-22-5:2021 Ed 1 Power transformers – Part 22-5: Power transformer and reactor fittings – Electric pumps for transformers. Covers electric pumps used in the cooling circuits of power transformers and reactors.
  • SANS 21511:2021 Ed 1 Work breakdown structures for project and programme management. Provides guidance for work breakdown structure for organizations undertaking projects or programme management.
  • SANS 27914:2021 Ed 1 Carbon Dioxide Capture, Transportation and Geological Storage – Geological Storage. Establishes requirements and recommendations for the geological storage of Carbon dioxide streams, the purpose of which is to promote commercial, safe, long term containment of Carbon dioxide in a way that minimise risk to the environment and human health.
  • SATR 27915:2021 Ed 1 Carbon Dioxide Capture, Transportation and Geological Storage – Quantification and verification. Presents a review of publicly available literature identifying materially relevant issues and options relating to “good practices” for quantifying and verifying GHG emissions and reductions at the project level.

Standards Act 8 of 2008 – Gen Notice 437 in GG 44908 of 30 July 2021 Withdrawn Standards

  • SANS 10055-3:2021 Ed 1 ISO 9001: 2000 Process auditing – Part 3: Generic process performance model and work products

Financial Markets Act19 of 2012 – BN 82 in in GG 44908 of 30 July 2021 – that the proposed amendments to the JSE derivatives rules have been published on the official website of the FSCA (www.fsca.co.za) – for comment

Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996 – Proc R33 in GG 44899 of 30 July 2021 and Proc R34 in GG 44914 of 30 July 2021 – Referral of matters to Existing Special Investigating Unit: Department of Water and Sanitation

South African Geographical Names Council Act 118 of 1998 – GN 670 in GG 44912 of 30 July 2021 – Publication of Official Geographic Names

Provinces

Eastern Cape

Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 and Local Government: Municipal Structures Act 117 of 1998 – GN R655 in GG 44907 of 30 July 2021 – Determination of Types of Municipalities Bill, 2021

National Nuclear Regulator Act 47 of 1999 – Gen Notice 28 in PG 4599 of 26 July 2021– Notice of public hearings: Thyspunt site located in the Eastern Cape Province

Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 – PN 102 in PG 4599 of 26 July 2021 – Eastern Cape Socio Economic Consultative Council Bill, 2021 (Eastern Cape) – for comment

Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 and Local Government: Municipal Systems Act 32 of 2000 – Matatiele Municipality – Bylaws Relating to Keeping of Animals, Birds, Poultry, Cats, Dogs and Pets and Businesses Involving the Keeping Of Animals, Birds, Poultry, Cats, Dogs and Pets

Northern Cape

Customary Initiation Act 2 of 2021 – Prem Notice 1 in PG 2433 of 26 July 2021 – Establishment of the Northern Cape Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committee

Western Cape

Local Government: Municipal Systems Act 32 of 2000 – MN 142 in PG 8470 of 30 July 2021 – Proposed Amendment to By-Law relating to prevention of public nuisance and the nuisance with the keeping of animals – for comment

Local Government: Municipal Finance Management Act 56 of 2003 – PN 78 in PG 8469 of 30 July 2021 – Quarterly Consolidated Statement: Quarter 4 Ending 30 June 2021 (Preliminary Results)

Local Government Municipal Systems Act 32 of 2000 – PG 8468 of 29 July 2021 – Swellendam Municipality – By-law Relating to Outdoor Advertising and Signage

______________________________________________________________________________________

CASES

National

None to report

International

None to report

Publications

National

2021 117(7/8) South African Journal of Science

  • Swartz L “The value of error in complex times”
  • Bradlow D and Viljoen F “Christof Heyns (1959–2021): Human rights lawyer, legal educator and activist”
  • McEwan KL “Latest compendium on bats of southern and central Africa” [Book Review]
  • Van Wilgen BW “Confronting complexity in forest management” [Book Review]
  • Mills AJ, Medinski T “Ecological effects of clay mining by Macrotermes termites”
  • Swales L “The Protection of Personal Information Act and data de-identification”
  • Thaldar D “Why POPIA does not apply to DNA”
  • Kerley GIH “South Africa suffers a second loss of the blue antelope (Hippotragus leucophaeus) as DNA analysis confirms that the sole specimen held in South African collections is sable (H. niger) material”
  • Enwereuzoh UO, Harding KG, Low M “Fish farm effluent as a nutrient source for algae biomass cultivation”
  • Curran A, Barnard S “What is the role of zooxanthellae during coral bleaching? Review of zooxanthellae and their response to environmental stress”
  • Cole M “Mollusc collections at South African institutions: Development and current status”
  • Tshikhudo PP, Nnzeru LR, Rambauli M, Makhado RA, Mudau FN “Phytosanitary risk associated with illegal importation of pest-infested commodities to the South African agricultural sector”
  • Craven M, Mokoena PT, Morey L, Saayman-Du Toit AEJ. Effect of glyphosate application time on yield parameters of South African glyphosate-resistant maize cultivars
  • Muavhi N “A simple approach for monitoring vegetation change using time series remote sensing analysis: A case study from the Thathe Vondo Area in Limpopo Province”
  • Chapman RA, Midgley GF, Smart K “Diverse trends in observed pan evaporation in South Africa suggest multiple interacting drivers’
  • Chetty S, Pillay L, Humphries MS “Gold mining’s toxic legacy: Pollutant transport and accumulation in the Klip River catchment, Johannesburg”
  • Chitaka TY “Environmentalism or greenwashing? Responses of South African value chain actors to plastic straw marine pollution”
  • Huffman TN, Woodborne S “Implications of new AMS dates for the Khami Period in the Mapungubwe Landscape”

Farran S “The Significance of Sea-level Rise for the Continuation of States and the Identity of their People” 2021 PELJ DOI: https://doi.org/10.17159/1727-3781/2021/v24i0a9361

International

The editors of Transnational Environmental Law invite you to read the latest issue, free of charge. This issue contains a symposium on the Law of Energy Transition in Federal Systems. Article highlights include:

Read the full issue without charge until 1 September. Plus, explore a collection of free highly-downloaded articles created in advance of the IUCN Conference.

Pitman NCA et al “Applied science facilitates the large-scale expansion of protected areas in an Amazonian hot spot” 2021 31(7) Science Advances DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abe2998

Pielke Roger and Ritchie Justin “Distorting the view of our climate future: The misuse and abuse of climate pathways and scenarios” 2021 72 Energy Research & Social Science https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2020.101890

News, Blogs, Discussions, Websites, Videos, ETC

South Africa

Biodiversity, Protected Areas, Culture

ELA Streaming Club Feedback

For the fourth Streaming Club session in 2021 we watched the #standwithtrees documentary, Sonic Forest and collaborated with Delme Cupido of Natural Justice, David Tshidzumba of Save Our Limpopo Valley Environment, Maria Antonia Tigre of Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment and Kawika Winter of Limahuli Garden and Preserve on the island of Kaua`i and Hawai`i Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawai`i at Mānoa. The panel was chaired by Kate Handley, ELA Executive Committee member. With reference to the film, the panel discussion unpacked the role of indigenous people and local communities in defending the Earth’s most important biodiversity, and the need for greater recognition in our domestic and international laws. For those who were unable to attend, the recording may be found here https://youtu.be/TUM5_R1kMhA.

The discussion traversed many key issues from the concept of “indigeneity”, to the environmental threats against which community activists are fighting in Limpopo, to indigenous resource management in Hawai’i. A key outcome of the discussion amongst attendees was the need for greater recognition of indigenous and local communities in law in general, and particularly the need for those voices in the South African EIA process. A big part of this is recognizing the spiritual connection that local and indigenous people have to the land on which they live. This connection is not currently acknowledged in the very technical heritage assessment processes and environmental impact assessment processes provided for by NEMA and other relevant legislation. One attendee commented: ‘I’d love to see consideration of Biocultural Community Protocols “normalised” in EIA processes.’ This sentiment was shared by many.

Climate Change and Energy

ASSaf: No Paraffin! Campaign Statement that calls on the South African Government to prioritise, develop and enact a substantive policy on safe energy provision to impoverished communities, alongside interventions to support regular household incomes and suitable housing.

MTN News: Simpson S “Eskom: Cable theft leaves 24 000 Gauteng customers without electricity” 30 July 2021

Fin24: Sguazzin A “South Africa says $750bn a year needed for climate goals” 31July 2021

Business Day: Squazzin A “Eskom lays out funding plan to move away from coal” 30 July 2021

IOL: Naidu E “Cul-de-sac for electric cars in SA?” 31 July 2021

IOL: Faku D “SA coal industry urged to stand together in energy transition” 28 July 2021

IOL: Ginindza B “South32 welcomes competitive Nersa energy deal” 26 July 2021

Bizcommunity: “Creecy calls for greater access to finance for low-carbon investment in emerging markets” 28 July 2021

Environmental enforcement

IOL: Field Tracy-Lynn, Strydom Melissa, Rajen Naidoo et al “The Cornubia chemical plant fire: Aftermath of the riots should not leave behind a toxic legacy” 26 July 2021 [provided by Melissa Strydom] – Please find attached in Annexure A a list of articles on and social media pages in relation to the issue

Local Government

Daily Maverick: Langa L “What a dump: Pietermaritzburg’s disastrous landfill site continues to give the council and residents a headache” 29 July 2021

702: “Charred bodies found inside looted Durban store” 30 July 2021

EWN: Madia T “Gauteng lost an estimated R3.5bn & 14,500 jobs due to riots – Makhura” 30 July 2021

Mining

Daily Maverick: Steyn D and Damba-Hendrik N “Battle to stop 22km long mine on Wild Coast” 28 July 2021

Lexology Werkmans: Leyden P and Leon P “At a glance: mining duties, royalties and taxes in South Africa” 27 May 2021

GroundUp: Steyn D and Damba-Hendrik N “Battle to stop 22km long mine on Wild Coast – Xolobeni community deeply divided” 28 July 2021

Water, Waste, Oceans and Chemicals

GroundUp: Human L “Cape Town sports clubs suspend sailing, canoeing, and rowing due to pollution” 30 July 2021

Bizcommunity: “Greenwashing: What is bioplastic, compostable and biodegradable packaging anyway?” 27 July 2021

MSN Cape Talk: “Western Cape to enforce 50% restriction on organic waste in landfills by 2022” 31 July 2021

Miscellaneous

Lexology ENS: Le Roux W et al “South Africa (industries outside mining): Invitation of Public Comments on Draft Pressure Equipment Regulations, 2021 (for applicable workplaces that fall within the Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993)”

Daily Maverick: “Sole S and Tshwane T “Insurrection: Whatsup ‘instigator’ linked to Zuma family” 31 July 2021

News24: Van Niekerk D and Du Plessis E “ANALYSIS | Dewald van Niekerk, Elmien du Plessis: KZN state of disaster – Beware the abuse of power” 31 July 2021

Bizcommunity: “SA’s OHS standard in dire straits, ILO report finds” 30 July 2021

Africa

Biodiversity, Soil, Protected Areas and Culture

Centre for Investigative Journalism: Lescij L “Life-Saving Medicinal Plants Face Extinction” 30 July 2021

allAfrica: “Malawi: African Wild Dogs Return to Liwonde National Park and Majete Wildlife Reserve” 29 July 2021

allAfrica: “Zimbabwe: Seven Armed Robbers, Poachers Arrested” 29 July 2021

Climate Change and Energy

Extractives Baraza: “Eni to Develop Sustainable Biofuel Value Chain in Kenya” 27 July 2021

Lexology: “At a glance: natural gas pipeline transportation and storage in Angola” 16 February 2021

Daily Maverick: Ngcuka O “When words come too easy: Climate change pledges must be honoured” 30 July 2021

Inhlase: Hlatswayo V “Climate change taking its toll on Ngololweni community” 26 July 2021

Mail & Guardian: “Environmentalists launch tool kit to teach Africa’s youth about climate change” 30 July 2021

Bizcommunity: Nyaungwa N “Rhino and elephant poaching declines in Namibia” 27 July 2021

Bizcommunity: “Eyeing energy transition, Ghana plans to speed up oil exploration” 30 July 2021

allAfrica: Erastus N “Namibia: Subsistence Farmers Increasingly Vulnerable to Climate Change” 30 July 2021

allAfrica: Carnie T “Africa: Global Green Energy – Trick or Treat for Fossil Era Workers?” 28 July 2021

The Jurist: Nwadike F “Article 66.2 of TRIPS Agreement: LDCs and Technology Transfer” 31 July 2021

The Jurist: Beres LR “Preventing Nuclear War: Legal Obligations for an Imperiled Planet” 29 July 2021

Local government

The Conversation: Dande I “Dogs in the city: on the scent of Zimbabwe’s urban history” 29 July2021

ICLEI: “Accelerating sustainable actions towards the transformation of Africa’s urban food systems” 27 July 2021

allAfrica: “Namibia: Local Authority, Community Clash… Residents Threaten to Shut Down Omuthiya Dumpsite” 29 July 2021

Mining

Extractives Baraza: Tunuhimbise A “CSOs Warn of Illicit Financial Flows in Oil and Gas Industry” 27 July 2021

Extractives Baraza: Arnoldi M “Tanzanian Govt Approves Licence Application for Peak’s Rare Earth Project” 27 July 2021

Extractives Baraza: “Burundi: Government Suspends International Mining Contracts Over Income Row” 27 July 2021

allAfrica: Takambou MM “Nigeria: Shell’s Niger Delta Cleanup – Ogoniland’s Uncertain Future” 30 July 2021

Water, Oceans, Waste and Chemicals

Daily Maverick: Fabricius P “Neither the Security Council nor the AU is grasping the Gerd nettle or its potential for conflict” 30 July 2021

allAfrica: Angunini TB “Uganda: Govt to Ban Polythene Bags” 29 July 2021

allAfrica: Omulo C “Kenya: Nema Launches Campaign to Clean Up Nairobi River Basin” 29 July 2021

Miscellaneous

The Conversation: Lopes C “Africa has a great strategic plan: now it needs to roll up its sleeves and take action” 29 July 2021

IISD SDG Knowledge Hub: “Peer Exchange Identifies Components of Good Civil Society Engagement” 28 July 2021

International

Biodiversity, Protected Areas, and Culture

Science: Fritts R “A new ‘Green List’ provides road map for species recovery” 28 July 2021

Science: Stokstad E “Clever carpentry helps bees fix wild honeycombs” 27 July 2021

The Conversation: Foster R “Skyglow forces dung beetles in the city to abandon the Milky Way as their compass” 29 July 2021

Reuters: Kappor K and Abnett K “Biodiversity summit to be delayed for third time – sources” 28 July 2021

IISD SDG Knowledge Hub: “WTO DG Calls for “Focus and Flexibility” for “Meaningful Outcomes” at MC12” 28 July 2021

Thomas Reuters Foundation: Asher-Schapiro A “Catching fire: AI is helping scarce firefighters better predict blazes” 22 July 2021

Thomas Reuters Foundation: Chandran R “Explainer – Are World Heritage Site listings a blessing or a curse?” 27 July 2021

Lexology: “Ecological transition and intellectual property: new government programmes” 26 July 2021

Lexology: “Stemming the tide of biodiversity loss through nature-related financial disclosures” [Australia] 22 July 2021

NBC News: “Scientists clone the first U.S. endangered species” 19 February 2021

Bizcommunity: Robins JE “How palm oil became the world’s most hated, most used fat source” 30 July 2021

Bizcommunity: Van der Perre C and Inveen C  “Senegalese plant circular gardens in Green Wall defence against desert” 29 July2021

The Guardian: Furness D “Decimated by famine, Florida’s manatees face an uncertain future” 31 July 2021

The Guardian: Anderson I, Costa M and Lamborn K “Climate crisis: what one month of extreme weather looks like – video” 29 July 2021

The Guardian: “‘Country needs people’: Indigenous rangers safeguarding Australia’s rich landscape receive a well-earned boost” 31 July 2021

The Guardian: Butler B “Origin Energy slashes value of Australia’s biggest coal-fired plant due to impact of cheap renewables” 30 July 2021

Climate Change and Energy

Carbon Pulse: “A flurry of countries submit NDCs ahead of UN reporting deadline” 30 July 2021

Euractiv: Goulding Carroll S “Critics wary of Ryanair scheme to ‘fully’ offset flight emissions” 30 July 2021

The Guardian: Ambrose J “Shell boss: we have no plans to change strategy despite emissions ruling” 29 July 2021

Lexology: “ESG Litigation: Shell to Appeal Court Ruling in Netherlands Climate Case” 26 July 2021

Huffpost: Robillard K “Seeing A Make-or-Break Moment, Climate Groups Plan Blitz Over Congressional Recess – Dozens of environmental groups expect to spend tens of millions of dollars in August building support for climate legislation” 30 July 2021

Scientific American: Marx W “Entire Buildings Can Be Wrapped in Jackets to Save Energy’ 29 July 2021

Lexology: “Clean Energy’s Messy Problem: The Solar Industry, the U.S. Government, and the Complex Task of Combatting Forced Labor” 23 July 2021

Lexology: “ESG Watch: Carbon Tax vs. Clean Energy Standard” [USA] 26 July 2021

Lexology: “Energy transition in Australia: the role of batteries, pumped hydro and the future of the grid” 27 July 2021

Science: Voosen P “U.N. climate panel confronts implausibly hot forecasts of future warming” 27 July 2021

Lexology: “A hindrance or a catalyst? Arbitration and the energy transition” 28 July 2021

Lexology: “Climate Change Disclosures Are Coming: Is Your Insurance Program Ready?” [USA] 29 July 2021

Lexology: “Video | ESG, Climate Change Science, and Uncertainty: What Should Your Strategy Be?” [USA] 28 July 2021

Lexology: “European Climate Law Sets a Binding Objective of Climate Neutrality by 2050” 29 July 2021

Lexology: “Offshore Wind: The Changing Landscape of Offshore Operation & Maintenance” [UK] 28 July 2021

Lexology: “Amendment of the Enforcement Decree of the Framework Act on Environmental Policy – Disclosure of Environmental Regulation Violation” [South Korea] 28 July 2021

IISD ENB: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change – IPCC | 54th Session of the IPCC (IPCC-54) and 14th Session of the Working Group I (WG I-14) |26 July – 6 August 2021 | Online

Carbon Pulse: “Two Bulgarian coal plants may have under-reported EU ETS emissions -media investigation” 29 July 2021

Carbon Pulse: “US Senate kicks off infrastructure debate, as advocates press for more climate measures” 29 July 2021

BBC: Harrabin R “UK already undergoing disruptive climate change” 29 July 2021

The Guardian: Milman O “Three Americans create enough carbon emissions to kill one person, study finds” 29 July 2021

Nature: Castelvecchi D “Water transformed into shiny, golden metal” 28 July 2021

Carbon Pulse: “UK government consults on technical fixes to ETS legislation” 28 July 2021

CTV News: Lee A “New cutting edge facility in southern Alberta to create jobs, cut emissions by creating biofuel from waste’ [Canada] 27 July 2021

The Guardian: Hurst D “US, European and UK diplomats meet to encourage Australia to ramp up climate action” 27 July 2021

The Guardian: Evans R et al “Queen secretly lobbied Scottish ministers for climate law exemption” 28 July 2021

Thomas Reuters Foundation: Sherfinski D “U.S. climate spending could help rural communities embrace green shift” 21 July 2021

Lexology: “EPA Signals More Stringent Regulation for Steam Electric Power Generators” [USA] 27 July 2021

Carbon Pulse: “China’s non-fossil power capacity to exceed coal for the first time –report” 27 July 2021

Carbon Pulse: “EU power sector emissions lag post-pandemic electricity demand recovery –report” 28 July 2021

Carbon Pulse: “EU selects first carbon-cutting projects under Innovation Fund” 27 July 2021

Nature: Lewis A “Pollution from hydrogen fuel could widen inequality” 13 July 2021

Carbon Pulse: “Israel unveils climate strategy seen as lacking ambition, missing key measures” 26 July 2021

Yahoo!Finance: “Update 1-China says EU’s planned carbon border tax violates trade principles” 26 July 2021

Lexology: “Brazil: Bioenergy in the SESG context – At least 12 Brazilian states as well as the Federal District already have put in place their own legislation to further the low-carbon economy” 22 July 2021

Lexology: “Fit for 55 – European Commission publishes its proposal for a carbon border adjustment mechanism (EU CBAM)” 22 July 2021

Daily Maverick: Van Diemen E “Climate ground zero: Rapid Arctic warming is a major trigger in extreme global weather events” 29 July 2021

Fin24: Omarjee L “Eskom making strides in improving municipal collections – Gordhan” 31 July 2021

Fin24: “US oil giants to keep a lid on spending even as profits surge” 31 July 2021

Microsoft news: “Carbon emissions: China, India miss UN deadline to update targets” 31 July 2021

The Jurist: Li Wang E “The Human Rights Responsibilities of States as a Result of Climate Change” 27 July 2021

The Guardian: Wats J “Turkish fires sweeping through tourist areas are the hottest on record” 30 July 2021

The Guardian: Ahmet K “Refugees hit hardest as deadly floods sweep across continents” 31 July 2021

The Guardian: Milman O “Greenland: enough ice melted on single day to cover Florida in two inches of water” 30 July 2021

The Guardian: McGivney T “‘Climate change has become real’: extreme weather sinks prime US tourism site” 29 July 2021

Environmental Enforcement

Lexology: “Virginia Pipeline Ruling Could Have a Significant Impact on the Fight for Environmental Justice” [USA] 27 July 2021

Lexology: “Virginia Initiates Regulatory Process to Consider Environmental Justice in Air Permitting Actions” [USA] 29 July 2021

Lexology: “Case Update: Friends of the Irish Environment v An Bord Pleanála (Shannon LNG)” [EU/Ireland] 29 July 2021

Carbon Pulse: “Octogenarian Oxford grad returned to jail for not repaying profits from forest carbon investment fraud” 27 July 2021

The Independent: Dunne D “‘Record-shattering’ heatwaves to become far more likely without urgent climate action, research warns” 27 July 2021

Reuters: Nangoy F “Indonesia optimistic of reaching net zero emissions by 2060 or earlier”27 July 2021

The Sun: Clark N “Boiling Point Brits may be allowed more time to swap over dirty boilers in major row-back plot” 27 July 2021

Lexology: “Changes for major project assessments and approvals in NSW, as Rapid Assessment Framework rolls out” [Australia] 22 July 2021

Local government

Science: Normile D “Zhengzhou subway flooding a warning for other major cities” 29 July 2021

EC Commission Notice: “Technical guidance on the climate proofing of infrastructure in the period 2021-2027” 29 July 2021

Project Syndicate: Oni T “Rethinking Urban Health” 5 July 2021

IISD SDG Knowledge Hub: “Side Event Features SDG 11 as Chance to Spearhead Sustainability in Cities” 26 July 2021

Thomas Reuters Foundation: Goering L “Climate action must happen ‘for our people, not to them’, cities say” 23 July 2021

Thomas Reuters Foundation: Neslen A “Flood-hit German homes face higher premiums as climate risks grow” 23 July 2021

ICLEI: “How local governments can put food on the table” 27 July 2021

ICLEI: Guenard M “Supporting food security through local, circular food systems” 22 July 2021

ICLEI: “Tackling Food Adulteration as a Measure to Ensure Access to Safe Food in Dhaka, Bangladesh” July 2021

ICLEI: Ditton S “How Local Governments Support Community-Led Food Systems Transformation” 26 July 2021

ICLEI: “Why Latin America needs sustainable food systems so urgently” 27 July 2021

ICLEI City Talk: Hori Y “Itabashi Ward revitalises its small scale urban agriculture tradition” [Japan] 19 July 2021

ICLEI: Best practices of circular food production and consumption in Japan and Korea: A Handbook for Local Governments

Mining

Carbon Pulse: “Norway’s Equinor defends oil output hike plans as analysts question ambition” 28 July 2021

Extractives Baraza: “Hungry for More Oil, Norway Aims for €36 Billion Investments in New Fields” 27 July 2021

Reuters: “Climate activists challenge Britain’s support of North Sea oil and gas producers” 28 July 2021

Thomas Reuters Foundation: Srivastava R “Parched villages in India’s coal-mining hubs hunt for scarce water” 27 July 2021

Extractives Baraza: “U.S. Economic Recovery Hinges on Oil & Gas Industry: Study” 27 July 2021

Extractives Baraza: “Climate Scientists Begin Key Report as G20 Failed to Reach Phase-Out Coal Deal” 27 July 2021

Extractives Baraza: “London Judges Reopen £5bn Brazil Dam Lawsuit Against BHP” 27 July 2021

The Guardian: Knaus C “Beetaloo Basin fracking: court bid launched to stop Coalition giving company $21m in grants for project” [Australia] 29 July 2021

The Guardian: Knaus C “Beetaloo Basin fracking plan: gas companies linked to tax secrecy havens and Liberal party, inquiry told” 28 July 2021

Water, Oceans, Waste and Chemicals

Lexology: “Maine Enacts Groundbreaking, Strict PFAS Law to Take Effect in January 2023” 22 July 2021

Lexology: “Adoption of the Regulation respecting the traceability of excavated contaminated soils” 22 July 2021

Lexology: “California’s proposition 65- The safe drinking water and Toxic enforcement act of 1986” 28 July 2021

Lexology: “Watersnood in Limburg: wie betaalt de schade?” [Flood in Limburg: who pays for the damage] 28 July 2021

Lexology: “New Victorian Contaminated Land Duties – Key Implications” [Australia] 28 July 2021

IISD ENB: Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal Rotterdam Convention on Prior Informed Consent Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants | 2021 Meetings of the Conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions (BRS COPs) | 26–30 July 2021 | Online

IISD SDG Knowledge Hub: Sustainable Mangrove Management Offers Tangible Benefits to SIDS” 26 July 2021

IISD SDG Knowledge Hub: “UN Ocean Decade: An Ocean Knowledge Revolution in Action” 28 July 2021

IISD SDG Knowledge Hub: “Regulate Hazardous Waste to End New Forms of “Toxic Colonialism”: Stockholm+50 Brief”28 July 2021

IISD SDG Knowledge Hub: “Drafting Group Provides Recommendations for Post-2020 Chemicals Declaration” 26 July 2021

IISD SDG Knowledge Hub: “Cooling Paradox Must Be Addressed: Montreal Protocol Task Force” 26 July 2021

Lexology: “New Lawsuit Tests Application of Public Trust Doctrine to Groundwater, Well Permits and SGMA” [USA] 27 July 2021

Lexology: “Denver Water Files Complaint in Federal Court, Seeking Preemption of Boulder County Regulation Due to FERC Hydroelectric Project License” 26 July 2021

Lexology: “EPA’s Multi-Sector General Permit for Industrial Stormwater Challenged in the Ninth Circuit —Plastics a Key Issue” [USA] 16 February 2021

Lexology: “NSW Waste Strategy makes room for energy from waste projects” [Australia] 22 July 2021

Lexology: “Decarbonisation and shipping: ship recycling – a changing landscape” [Hong Kong] 22 July 2021

IISD: Allan J “How to Regulate Our Waste-Full World” 26 July 2021

The Guardian: Taylor D “UK waste firm fined £1.5m for exporting household waste” 30 July 2021

The Guardian: “Pollution turns Argentina lake pink – video” 31 July 2021

Miscellaneous

Lexology: “Exercising due diligence: How should commodities companies respond to increasing levels of corporate responsibility?”

Lexology: “Multijurisdiction: Bite-size Briefings – Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) regulation” 27 July 2021

Lexology: “ESG: EU green bond standard” 27 July 2021

Lexology: “Green Bonds: Standard Deviation Redux” 27 July 2021

Lexology: “Land reform – old as the hills, but more current than ever” [UK] 27 July 2021

99% Invisible Podcast:  449-Mine (USA rules of ownership)

Lexology: “Greenwashing: the risks and how to avoid it” [Canada] 27 July 2021

Conferences, Workshops, Study Opportunities

National

Environmental Law Association Student and Annual Conferences: Celebrating 25 Years of the 1996 South African Environmental Right
Annual Conference: 16-18 September 2021 (online)
Student Conference: 13-15 September 2021 (online)
Spread over a few days to avoid screen fatigue
Date for abstracts: 12 August 2021 – submit abstracts to:
Call for papers
Registration

ASSAf SAGE Webinar Series: Why Environmental Management must become the New Normal
Dates:
12 August 2021
19 August 2021
Time: 11:00 – 12:30 Venue: Zoom (link to be provided upon registration)
RSVP: Click here to RSVP

IAIAsa National Conference: Re-thinking IEM in pursuit of the sustainable development goals:  1st call for presentations
Date: 17-19 August 2021
More information

NWU CLES 2nd Annual National Postgraduate Student Conference on Local Government & Urban Governance: Law and Governance in a Pandemic: Towards Safe, Inclusive, Resilient and Sustainable Cities and Towns”
Dates: 30 November – 2 December 2021
Call for Abstracts

Conservation Symposium: Exploring the Science, Practice and Value of Nature Conservation
Dates: 1-5 November 2021
Session proposals and abstract submissions are now OPEN! Please take note of the online submission cut-off dates:
Closing date for abstracts: 5 August 2021
Conservation Symposium will be free and online for 2021.
More information

CBSS Training Courses in Water Governance scheduled for 2021

  • 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

ASSAf: Call for Abstracts for the 6th BRICS Young Scientist Forum
Dates: 13-16 September 2021
More information

The Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) and the South African Journal of Science webinar:  How do we know if and when science makes a difference?
Date: 4 August 2021
Time: 11:00 – 12:00 Venue: Zoom
Registration: Click here to register

African Environmental Defenders: Youth Day Webinar
On International Youth Day, 12 August 2021, we invite you to join an online webinar showcasing the opportunities and challenges of Youth Climate and Environmental Activism in Africa. In December 2019, Natural Justice and its partners launched the African Environmental Defenders Fund. Initially, this fund targeted African members of the International Land Coalition (ILC) who faced threats and harassment
Date: 12 August 2021
Time: 2:30pm SA/3:30pm EAT to 4:30pm SA/5:30pm EAT
More information and registration

Annual IMIBIZO: Buoyant Solutions for Ocean Sustainability
Dates: 18-22 October 2021
Workshop 1: Exploring potential marine options for climate intervention
Workshop 2: Lighting the ‘grey zone: how can we integrate human dimensions in decadal-scale prediction systems?
Workshop 3: Ocean governance and climate adaptation: comparing responses, charting future courses 
Deadline for abstracts: 16 August 2021 [attendance only with accepted abstract]
More information

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

ACCESS Conversations on Climate Change

  • 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.

The Private Side of Transforming our World – UN Sustainable Development Goals 2030 and the Role of Private International Law
Date: 9 to 11 September 2021
Format: It takes place in a hybrid format both at the Max Planck Institute for Comparative and International Private Law in Hamburg and virtually.
Enabling all citizens of the world to live in dignity while preserving our natural resources is one of the greatest global challenges of our time. This challenge is reflected in the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which form the core of the Agenda 2030 of the United Nations. This Agenda, which is also referred to as “a contract for the future of the world”, aims to serve as a shared blueprint for realizing global economic progress in a manner consistent with social justice and the planet’s environmental limits.
In the arena of public law, including public international law, the SDGs have already become a focal point for comprehensive discussion about the future of the world. With regard to private law and private international law (PIL), by contrast, there has been less attention. Yet the Agenda 2030, with its 17 primary goals and 169 associated sub-goals, bears significantly on the fields of private law and PIL.
The project “The Private Side of Transforming our World – UN Sustainable Development Goals 2030 and the Role of Private International Law” aims to raise an awareness of how PIL, with its methods and institutions, can make a significant contribution and help find answers to the greatest challenges of our time. 19 contributors from all continents will present and discuss their findings during the conference scheduled to be held on 9 to 11 September 2021. In addition, a keynote speech will be delivered by Professor Anita Ramasastry (University of Washington, Member of the U.N. Working Group on Business and Human Rights). English-Spanish and Spanish-English simultaneous translation for the Conference will be provided by a professional interpreter.

The conference will take place in a hybrid format, i.e. both at the Max Planck Institute for Comparative and International Private Law in Hamburg and virtually via Zoom. It will be held from 9 to 11 September 2021. We would kindly ask you to register for the conference via this LINK (even if you only want to participate virtually). In the registration portal you can also already indicate whether your participation will be possible only virtually. Further information including the list of speakers can be found on the project website.
We look forward to welcoming you at the Institute or virtually. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Professor Ralf Michaels (Max Planck Institute for Comparative and International Private Law), Dr Verónica Ruiz Abou-Nigm (University of Edinburgh) and Hans van Loon (former Secretary General of the Hague Conference on Private International Law)

NUS Law: Celebrating APCEL’S 25th Anniversary: The Development of Environmental Law in the Asia-Pacific: Past, Present and Future
Date: 12 August 2021 | 4.00 PM – 5.3 0 PM (SGT) Zoom
Register by 10 August

Vacancies, Bursaries, Funding, Opportunities, etc.

National

Department of Higher Education & Training International Scholarships and Career Development Service

  • Cyprus: University Scholarship Programme Bahelor, M & PhD
  • African Union: 2021/2022 Pan African University Scholarships: M & PhD
  • Ireland: Kader Asmal Fellowship Programme 2022/23: Masters
  • Mellon/SAR Academic Freedom Workshop & Fellowships: M & D on academic freedom
  • United Kingdom: The Rhodes Scholarships for Southern Africa 2022: M & PhD
  • Portugal: AIR Centre PhD Scholarships Programme: PhD (Climate change etc)
  • India: Indian Institute of Governance and Leadership – Nelson Mandela Friendship Scholarship 2021 (Online/Distance learning) – Diploma (also International law)
  • France: France – South Africa Scholarship Programme: PhD & M
  • Germany: 2021 Alexander von Humboldt Foundation German Chancellor Fellowship Programme
  • Khetha: Career Development Service

University of KwaZulu Natal: EX03/2021 Executive Director: Student Services
Closing date: 3 September 2021
More information

Genesis: Senior Associate – Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL)
More information

The Platinum Group: Senior Corporate Attorney
More information

UNDP: Two Consultants (Mid-Term Review)
More information

United Nations: Adviser (Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT))
More information

Commercial litigation attorney
More information

Pike Law: Newly qualified, corporate commercial attorney
More information

International

Assistant/Associate/Full Professor in Law York University Law School

Academic Appointment in Law Monash University Faculty of Law

PhD Scholarship in International Law and Military Operations University of Copenhagen Faculty of Law

Faculty Position in Human-Environment Systems and Land-System Science VU University of Amsterdam Institute for Environmental Studies

Associate Professor in International and European Law Utrecht University Utrecht University School of Law

PhD Position in Enforcement of EU Law by National Regulatory Authorities Radboud University Nijmegen School of Management

PhD Fellowship in Citizens Participation in Resource Governance and Sustainable Transition Norwegian University of Science and Technology Department of Geography

PhD Position in Human-Environment Geography Norwegian University of Science and Technology Department of Geography

Assistant Professor of Law Singapore Management University Yong Pung How School of Law

Senior Lecturer in Sociology of Law Lund University

PhD Position in Environmental Science Lund University Department of Political Science

Professorship in Trade, Banking, Company, and Capital Markets Law University of Zurich Faculty of Law

Professorship in Commercial and Business Law University of Zurich Faculty of Law

Postdoctoral Position in History of Africa University of Basel Department of History

Lecturer/Senior Lecturer in Financial Law University of Surrey School of Law

Acting Professor of Law University of California Davis School of Law

Visiting Assistant Professor in Law University of Illinois Urbana Champaign College of Law

Doctoral Scholarship in Energy and Environmental Economics University of Antwerp Faculty of Business and Economics Belgium

Postdoc Position in Agricultural/Environmental Economics University of Copenhagen Department of Food and Resource Economics Denmark

Assistant/Associate/Full Professor in Earth Sciences King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals Saudi Arabia

Dean of Law Auckland University of Technology School of Law New Zealand

Professorship in Trade, Banking, Company, and Capital Markets Law University of Zurich Faculty of Law Switzerland

Faculty Position in Human-Environment Systems and Land-System Science VU University of Amsterdam Institute for Environmental Studies Netherlands

Senior Lecturer in Sociology of Law Lund University Sweden

Officer, Land Use and Forests, Standards Development, Gold Standard – Remote (India/Switzerland/UK)

Officer, Energy, Standards Development, Gold Standard – Remote (India/Switzerland/UK)

Director of Climate Finance, UpEnergy – Flexible Location (Africa preferred)

Associate Director of Climate, Asia Society Policy Institute – Flexible Location

_________________________________________________________________________________________

ANNEXURE A

CORNUBIA FIRE, UPL – CHRONOLOGICAL LIST OF MEDIA REPORTS PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE

FROM 15 JULY 2021 onwards 

Compiled by Melissa Strydom

 

28 July 2021

26 July 2021

25 July 2021

24 July 2021

23 July 2021

22 July 2021

21 July 2021

20 July 2021

19 July 2021

18 July 2021

16 July 2021

15 July 2021

Also keep an eye on social media pages like:

And

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Featured Image: Johan Nel

 

End

 

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