24 October 2021
Legislation
Directions
Disaster Management Act 57 of 2002 – GN 1076 in GG 45375 of 22 October 2021 and GN 1077 in GG 45376 of 22 October 2021 – Directions on measures to address, prevent and combat the spread of COVID-19 at Sea Ports for Adjusted Alert Level 1
Notices
Hazardous Substances Act 15 of 1973 – GN 1067 in GG 45352 of 22 October 2021 – Proposed declaration of lead in paint or coating material as a Group II Hazardous Substance – for comment
Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act 130 of 1993 – Gen Notice 629 in GG 45356 of 22 October 2021 – Notice on compensation for Covid-19 vaccination side-effects
Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act 130 of 1993 – Gen Notice 615 in GG 45344 of 19 October 2021 – Proposed banking information requirements for occupational injuries and diseases-related claims – for comment
Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act 130 of 1993 – Gen Notice 616 in GG 45344 of 19 October 2021 – Notice on updating of banking details for occupational injuries and diseases-related claims
Public Holidays Act 36 of 1994 – Proc 38 in GG 45354 of 22 October 2021 – Declaration of the 1st November 2021 as a public holiday throughout the Republic in connection with the holding of local government elections
National Water Act 36 of 1998 – GN 1073 in GG 45352 of 22 October 2021 – Caledon Modder Subsystem: Limiting the use of water in terms of item 6 of Schedule 3 of the Act for urban and irrigation purposes
National Forests Act 84 of 1998 – GN 1062 in GG 45345 of 19 October 2021 – Declaration of certain state forests properties in Mpumalanga as forest nature reserves
National Nuclear Regulator Act 47 of 1999 – Gen Notice 612 in GG 45352 of 22 October 2021 – Notice of application for nuclear vessel license – for comment
National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act 57 of 2003 – GN 1064 in GG 45352 of 22 October 2021 – Declaration of land situated in Western Cape as part of the existing Bontebok National Park
Provinces
Eastern Cape
Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act 16 of 2013 – PN 144 in PG 4638 of 18 October 2021 – Sarah Baartman District Municipality, Sundays River Valley and Blue Crane Route Local Municipalities – Agreement to establish a Municipal Planning Tribunal and appointment of members
Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act 16 of 2013 – PN 145 in PG 4638 of 18 October 2021 – Alfred Nzo District Municipality – Appointment of Municipal Planning Tribunal (DMPT) Members, and Readiness of the DMPT to commence with its operations
KwaZulu Natal
Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act 16 of 2013 – PN 116 in PG 2330 of 22 October 2021 – uMdoni and uMzumbe Local Municipalities – Appointment of members to serve on the Joint Municipal Planning Tribunal
Western Cape
Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 and Local Government: Municipal Systems Act 32 of 2000 – LAN 21669 in PG 8508 of 22 October 2021 – City of Cape Town Metropolitan Municipality: Air Quality Management Amendment By-law, 2021
Gauteng
Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act 16 of 2013 -vPN 936 in PG 355 of 20 October 2021 – City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality – Approval of the Southern Farms Urban Development Framework
Gauteng Provincial Appropriation Act 4 of 2021 – Gen Notice 1128 in PG 363 of 21 October 2021 – commenced 21 October 2021
Gauteng Political Party Fund Repeal Act 5 of 2021 – Gen Notice 1227 in PG 358 of 20 October 2021 – commenced 20 October 2021
North West
Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act 16 of 2013 – PN 174 in PG 8278 of 19 October 2021 – Moses Kotane Local Municipality: – Establishment and commencement of the Municipal Planning Tribunal and appointment of members
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CASES
International
In re: Clean Water Act Rulemaking Case 3:20-cv-04636-WHA Document 173 Filed 10/21/21 United States District Court Northern District of California “Plaintiff states, tribes, and non-profit conservation groups have challenged EPA’s Clean Water Act certification rule, and now EPA moves to remand the proceedings without vacatur. For the reasons stated, the rule is remanded to the agency with vacatur.”
Publications
National
Public Protector “A Report on an Investigation into Allegations of Systemic Administrative Deficiencies Relating To Electricity, Water Billing and Other Services in the City of Tshwane” (Report No: 35 of 2021/22)
National Treasury “Financing a Sustainable Economy” (Technical Paper 2021)
Groundwork “Warnings not heeded – the death of an activist” (Report October 2021)
International
World Justice Project “Rule of Law Index 2021” (Report October 2021)
Open Access Government (October 2021)
News, Blogs, Discussions, Websites, Videos, ETC
South Africa
Biodiversity, Protected Areas, Culture
Daily Maverick: Christianson B “The slow squeeze on Port Nolloth’s fishermen — walled in and fenced out by mining” 13 October 2021
Daily Maverick: Pinnock D “A question of bias: Trophy hunting is a contentious industry and shaping research to get a desired outcome doesn’t help” 18 October 2021
Daily Maverick: Evans, J “Better times for lions Tom and Samson — but South Africa’s captive breeding issue remains” 19 October 2021
Daily Maverick: Sgqolana T “Thousands of endangered seabirds killed by H5N1 avian influenza outbreak” 19 October 2021
Mail&Guardian: Stoltz E “Bird flu outbreak on Dyer Island causing mass deaths” 20 October 2021
WWF South Africa: “Sustainable dairy farming is also good for the bottom line” 21 October 2021
GroundUp: Human L “Government funding delay causes vital insect research unit to close” 22 October 2021
Mail&Guardian: Phillips T “South Africa calls for global biodiversity fund” 23 October 2021
Mail&Guardian: Siziba B Fishing subsidies in the W. Cape: ‘Illegal fishing is our only option’” 24 October 2021
Climate Change and Energy
BizNews: Bateman C “Eskom’s coal-powered Komati to rise from its ashes; start producing renewable energy” 12 October 2021 (official announcement)
BizNews: Neves J “Flash Briefing: Godongwana downplays SA crime; Eskom starts court action over NERSA rejection; hostage situation leaves SA govt red-faced” 18 October 2021
Daily Maverick: Semelane S “South Africa’s road to COP26: We must stick to our guns on a just energy transition” 18 October 2021
Daily Maverick: Ngcuka O “Receiving finance is key to SA’s climate adaptation and mitigation plan, says Minister Creecy” 18 October 2021
Daily Maverick: Cohen T “The anatomy of a disaster: A short history of Eskom and South Africa’s reliance on coal” 18 October 2021
Fin24: Cronje J “Karpowership SA says rival DNG holds emergency power deal ‘hostage’ with baseless graft claims” 19 October 2021
Daily Maverick: Satgar V, Buthelezi A, Simane C and Adam F “Crisis, what crisis? Three major parties in election in denial over the climate crisis” 19 October 2021
UCT News: Krige N “South Africa: Climate Report Highlights Urgency of Coal Phase-Out” 19 October 2021 (2021 Climate Transparency Report available here)
Mail&Guardian: Bega S “The ANC, DA and EFF ‘oblivious’ to climate crisis — Climate Justice Charter Movement” 19 October 2021
Environment.gov: “Important climate change measures for South Africa adopted by Cabinet” 22 September 2021 (more in Mail&Guardian)
Polity: Creamer T “South Africa to set up finance workstream to assess climate-finance offers” 22 October 2021
Local Government
BizNews: Van Tilburg L “No more loadshedding for Cape Town – DA Mayor candidate Geordin Hill-Lewis explains how” 14 October 2021
GroundUp: Mbovane T “Nelson Mandela Bay says it will not provide services to new land occupations” 19 October 2021
GroundUp: Sizani M “Mthatha families buy their own transformers to electrify their homes” 20 October 2021
GroundUp: Kretzmann S “Elections 2021: This municipality is an exception in Gauteng” 21 October 2021
Daily Friend: “Treasury puts Lekwa Municipality on notice” 19 October 2021 [Legalbrief Forensic 21 October 2021]
Sunday Independent: Manyane M “Wheels come off in troubled Emfuleni municipality” 10 October 2021 [Legalbrief Forensic 21 October 2021]
News24: Trench A and Gerber J “Revealed | A further 43 municipalities on the brink of collapse, shows new News24 index accreditation” 18 October 2021 [Legalbrief Forensic 21 October 2021]
Mining
Department of Mineral Resources and Energy: “Remarks by the Honourable Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy Mr Gwede Mantashe on the Occasion of the Virtual Joburg Indaba” 07 October 2021
Marine: Eni pulls out of KZN offshore drilling plans
“Eni is pulling out of plans to explore for oil with Sasol in a large block off SA’s southeast coast due to concerns over the technical challenges of drilling in deep waters, according to two people familiar with the decision. A BusinessLIVE report says the companies partnered in 2014 to drill the ER236 exploration permit off the coast of KZN, with Eni taking a 40% stake and becoming operator. Sasol won the rights to explore the block from the Petroleum Agency of SA in 2013. Aside from technical difficulties of drilling for hydrocarbons in waters of between 1km and 3km deep, oil companies have also been frustrated by delays in passing SA’s draft oil exploration and production law. The Upstream Petroleum Resources Development Bill, which would give clarity on how the country’s nascent oil and gas industry would be regulated, is unlikely to be finalised for at least another year, despite the government’s call to fast-track the process.” Full BusinessLIVE report (subscription needed) Legalbrief Environmental 19 October 2021
Business Insider: “SA’s abandoned gold mines are being eyed as potential hydroelectric energy sites” 12 October 2021 [Legalbrief Environmental 19 October 2021]
Daily Maverick: Stoddard E “From records to rodents: Gold Fields chief Chris Griffith needs Operation Chinchilla to succeed” 20 October 2021
Polity: Creamer M “Mine operators need to take hydrogen very seriously, law firm webinar hears” 22 October 2021
Water, Waste, Oceans and Chemicals
Mail&Guardian: Zali M “New electronic waste management regulations will take effect in November” 18 October 2021 (National Environmental Management: Waste Act (Act No. 59 of 2008) Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Regulations and notices)
Daily Maverick: Carnie T “UPL disaster: Questions emerge over ‘missing’ toxic chemical results and accuracy of air pollution maps” 18 October 2021
Daily Maverick: Begg A “SA National Nuclear Regulator neglects radioactive mine dumps threatening the health of thousands” 18 October 2021
Daily Maverick: Carnie T “Durban won’t budge on beach safety as another ‘undisclosed’ UPL toxic chemicals list comes to light” 20 October 2021
Miscellaneous
CER: “Today we mourn the senseless death of Fikile Ntshangase” 22 October 2021 (Read groundWork’s report: Warnings not heeded – Death of an activist. The story of Fikile Ntshangase)
Feedback on ELA Webinars: September and October 2021 Webinars
We recently hosted two fascinating webinars as part of our ongoing web series:
On 9 September 2021 at 1pm (SA time) we hosted a webinar with consulting geologist and independent diamond producer, Lyndon de Meillon on ‘The Amazing Alluvial Diamond Deposits of South Africa – An example of a ‘low-impact mining industry’ with huge benefits to local communities devastated by poor legislation’. The webinar was arranged by ELA Exco Mpumalanga representative, Adie Erasmus, and Chaired by ELA Exco Gauteng representative, Justine Sweet. For more information about the webinar check out our event page on our website.
On 14 October 2021 at 1pm (SA time) we hosted a webinar with Dr Jenny Hall and Louis Koen on The unintended consequences of international investment treaties on climate ambition in Africa. The event was arranged by Jenny and Louis, members of the ELA Gauteng Sub-Committee, and chaired by Dr Melanie Murcott, Vice Chair of the ELA. For more information about the webinar, including a recording of the presentations by Jenny and Louis, check out the event page on our website.
Both webinars were well attended by over 30 people in pursuit of the ELA’s objectives of advancing the development, teaching, application and practice of Environmental Law in South Africa. We thank Adie, Justine, Lyndon as well as Jenny and Louis for their part in making these wonderful events possible, as well as Ally Petersen for her role in marketing the events. Members are encouraged to attend future webinars and events! Please also get in touch with us if there are specific topics you’d like to discuss or if you would like to be involved in a future webinar as chair or presenter.
Africa
Biodiversity, Soil, Protected Areas and Culture
The Conversation: Bergh E “Phosphorites: mineral-rich rocks offer insight into ancient Namibian ecosystems” 20 October 2021
The Conversation: Bergh E “Phosphorites: mineral-rich rocks offer insight into ancient Namibian ecosystems” 20 October 2021
Nature: Jones N “Ivory hunting drives evolution of tuskless elephants” 21 October 2021
Science: Stokstad E “Civil war drove these elephants to lose their tusks—through evolution” 21 October 2021
Daily Maverick: Braczkowski AR and Biggs D “Conservation tourism in Africa brought to its knees by Covid-19 travel bans” 21 October 2021 (More in The Conversation)
Ghana Visions: “Nature: Giant owl that hasn’t been seen in 150 years is finally spotted in a rainforest in Ghana” 22 October 2021
Climate Change and Energy
AllAfrica: “Mozambique First to Receive Funds for Reducing Carbon Emissions” 15 October
The Conversation: Ongoma V & Williams PR “COP26: Africa’s challenges must steer the climate change conference” 17 October 2021
Lexology Herbert Smith Freehills LLC: Elson J and Kavanagh M “Energy Storage Solutions, Batteries and Bankability of those solutions in sub-Saharan Africa” 18 October 2021
AllAfrica: Schlein L “Africa is Warming More, and Faster, Than Rest of World – Report (The State of the Climate in Africa 2020 Report available here) 19 October 2021
Daily Maverick: Mbiyozo A “Climate change accelerating urban migration across Africa while placing increasing pressure on congested cities” 20 October 2021
AllAfrica: Britz M “Africa: The Carbon-Burning Model of Development is a Dead End – UN Secretary-General #AfricaClimateCrisis” 22 October 2021
The Conversation: Fitchett J “Climate change has already hit southern Africa. Here’s how we know” 24 October 2021
The Conversation: Savvidou G & Trisos C “Five ways in which finance for climate adaptation in Africa falls short” 24 October 2021
“Climate change threatens more than 100 million people in Africa: UN”
More than 100 million extremely poor people in Africa are threatened by accelerating climate change that could also melt away the continent’s few glaciers within two decades, a UN report warned on 19 October. [IAIA Newsletter 21 October 2021]
“Ancient driftwood tracks 500 years of Arctic warming and sea ice”
By dating and tracing pieces of driftwood on beaches in Svalbard, Norway’s archipelago in the Arctic Circle, scientists have determined where these fallen trees floated. The unique method provides nuanced insights that other techniques can’t offer, and this study is just the beginning – until the Arctic loses its sea ice altogether, that is. [IAIA Newsletter 21 October 2021]
Environmental enforcement
Institute for Security Studies: Walker T AND Gaas M “East Africa: International Court of Justice Draws the Line in Kenya and Somalia’s Troubled Waters” 14 October 2021
Local government
Lexology: “Green Buildings: The call for sustainable retroffiting in Zimbabwe” 12 October 2021
Mining
Extractives Baraza: “Angola: Maersk Drilling Awarded Contract Extension to Drill World Record Well” 19 October 2021
Extractives Baraza: “Child Miners: The Dark Side of The DRC’s Coltan Wealth” 19 October 2021
YouTube video: “Fossil Free Virunga” (Fossil Free Virunga is a short film that tells the story of four activists in the Democratic Republic of Congo who are working to protect their home, to protect the Virunga National Park from oil exploration). More here.
Water, oceans, waste and chemicals
The Conversation: Adeniyi DA “What an irrigation project reveals about farmer-herder conflict in northern Nigeria” 20 October 2021
Miscellaneous
Lexology ENS: Africa Business in Brief | Issue 422 | 17 Oct 2021
The Conversation: Van Walbeek C and Chisha Z “We unpack what some African countries are doing about tobacco control” 20 October 2021
The Conversation: Pretorius J “Nuclear disarmament: how Africa can play a role in securing a nuclear weapons free world” 22 October 2021
International
Biodiversity, Protected Areas, and Culture
IISD SDG Knowledge Hub:“Biodiversity Conference Opens with Signs of Renewed Commitment’ 18 October 2021
The Jurist: Brem H “Australia to design new legislative framework to protect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage” 18 October 2021
Mail&Guardian: Bega S “Kunming Declaration on biodiversity: A show of political will that lacks targets” 18 October 2021
The Conversation: Runting RK & others “Nature doesn’t recognise borders but countries can collaborate to save species. The Escazú Agreement shows how” 19 October 2021
Science: Price M “First Viking settlement in North America dated to exactly 1000 years ago” 20 October 2021 (see BBC report)
Lexology: “Regulatory Ping Pong Creates New Enforcement Paradigms for Migratory Bird Treaty Act” [USA] 20 October 2021
Science: Moutinho S “Golden mussels are devastating South American rivers. The Amazon may be next” 21 October 2021
“From Shanghai Knights to gecko life: The Jackie Chan gecko among 12 new Indian species” The Western Ghats have been identified as a biodiversity hotspot, and there are many protected areas in the region. But India’s growing population means the unprotected habitats face threats from expanding urban areas, logging, dams, and the spread of agriculture and plantations first established by British colonizers. [IAIA Newsletter 21 October 2021]
Climate Change and Energy
COP26
The Conversation: McDonald M “Who’s who in Glasgow: 5 countries that could make or break
the planet’s future under climate change” 19 October 2021
Nature: Timperley J “The broken $100-billion promise of climate finance — and how to fix it” 20 October 2021
ICLEI: Arikan Y “A Cities and Regions Guide to COP26” 20 October 2021
IISD SDG Knowledge Hub: “COP26 to Break Ground for Zero Carbon Buildings Future” 20 October 2021
Daily Maverick: Handley K “Biodiversity loss and climate change are humanity’s biggest issues: COP15 is a critical precursor to COP26” 20 October 2021 (We congratulate Kate Handley – an Executive Committee member of the ELA – on this excellent piece!).
The Guardian: Brooks L “‘We’ve been caught half-dressed’: ambivalent Glasgow awaits Cop26” 23 October 2021
The Guardian: Harvey F “Cop26 climate deal will be harder than Paris accord, admits Sharma” 23 October 2021
The Guardian: Harvey F “Cop26: ‘World conflict and chaos’ could be the result of a summit failure” 24 October 2021
Other
Lexology: “Renewable Energy Disputes in the Americas: Potential Future Developments” 12 August 2021
Lexology: “The Role of Economics on the Road to Autonomous Vehicles and Digital Mobility” 17 August 2021
CarbonBrief: (multiple authors) “In-depth Q&A: What is ‘climate justice’?” 4 October 2021 (more here)
CarbonBrief: Evans S “Solar is now ‘cheapest electricity in history’, confirms IEA” 13 October 2021
IISD SDG Knowledge Hub: “Five Missed Opportunities to Support the Energy Transition in COVID-19 Recovery” 14 October 2021
EMA: Hofer C, Andre R and Nelson K “Carbon Taxes vs. Carbon Markets: The Easy or the Right Way? Why well-designed carbon markets are a superior environmental and economic policy for reducing carbon emissions” 18 October 2021
Carbon Pulse: “Western Europe leads world in clean energy innovation –report” 18 October 2021
CarbonBrief: Hausfather Z “State of the climate: Summer 2021 sets new high for average land temperature” 19 October 2021
Lexology: “Australia Introduces the Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Bill 2021” 19 October 2021
Carbon Pulse: “Feature: Airlines place bets on sustainable fuels in long haul net zero effort” 19 October 2021
Carbon Pulse: “Analysis: EU seen resisting Poland’s call to slow climate effort, may bolster support measures” 19 October 2021
Lexology: “Carbon Tax and Contractual Implications for Businesses in Singapore” 19 October 2021
IISD SDG Knowledge Hub: “Energy Compacts: Translating Recommendations into Concrete Targets” 20 October 2021
Carbon Pulse: “China releases carbon neutrality framework, eyes 80% non-fossil in energy mix by 2060” 20 October 2021
Carbon Pulse: “Heavy industries urge EU leaders to step in to ease energy crisis” 20 October 2021
Lexology: “Update: Environment and Communications Legislation Committee recommendation a step forward for offshore renewable energy” [Australia] 20 October 2021
Lexology: “Canadian biogas: Advancements and opportunities” 20 October 2021
Carbon Pulse: “Document leak shows fossil fuel exporting nations’ IPCC push on CCS, carbon trading” 21 October 2021(subscription required)
Carbon Pulse: “US Democrats scramble towards ‘Plan B’ for climate provisions in troubled legislative package” 21 October 2021 (subscription required)
Carbon Pulse: “EU leaders postpone decision on energy crisis, ETS intervention” 21 October 2021(subscription required)
Mail&Guardian: Phillips T “Greenpeace investigation exposes countries trying to dilute climate report” 21 October 2021
Reuters: Jones G and Jewkes S “G20 split over coal, 1.5 degree climate limit ahead of Rome summit –sources” 21 October 2021
CarbonBrief: (multiple authors) “In-depth Q&A: The UK’s net-zero strategy” 21 October 2021
Daily Maverick: Brits E “Good news about the Southern Ocean’s role in carbon drawdown during winter — but it may still not be enough to save us” 21 October 2021
RTE: “Ireland fails to meet 2020 EU emissions targets” 21 October 2021
Lexology: “Climate-related Disclosures: XRB Climate Standard Consultation Launch and CRD Bill passes Committee of the Whole House stage” [New Zealand] 21 October 2021
Reuters: Abnett K “EU Parliament seeks legal clampdown on planet-warming methane emissions” 21 October 2021
Carbon Pulse: “Japan confirms clean energy shift in cabinet approval of energy plan” 22 October 2021
Carbon Pulse: “Efforts to cut shipping emissions face cost opposition amid record profits” 22 October 2021 (subscription required)
Carbon Pulse: “Japan confirms clean energy shift in cabinet approval of energy plan” 22 October 2021 (subscription required)
Carbon Pulse: “Most CDM projects would not deliver more climate ambition in Paris era – report” 22 October 2021
Business Green: Murray J “OECD nations agree to end export credit support for unabated coal power stations” 22 October 2021
Reuters: Saba Y, Azhar D and Rashad M “Top oil exporter Saudi Arabia targets net zero emissions by 2060” 23 October 2021
The Conversation: Quiggin J (Australia) “The Nationals finally agree to a 2050 net-zero target, but the real decisions on Australia’s emissions are happening elsewhere” 24 October 2021
NDC Enhancement Tracker: Updates on country reports and data
Environmental Enforcement
Natural Justice: Baumann E “Trends in Environmental Litigation: Establishing a Duty of Care for Large Corporations” 10 October 2021
Lexology: “Environmental Standards Scotland (ESS): how will it affect public authorities?” 14 October 2021
Lexology: “Austria: Freedom of environmental information versus business secrets” 18 October 2021
Lexology: “What happens when the High Court quashes a planning permission?” 19 October 2021
Lexology: “ERGO Analysing Developments Impacting Business: Supreme Court Upholds the Power of National Green Tribunal to take Suo Motu Cognizance of Environmental Issues” [India] 19 October 2021
Lexology: “Court upholds refusal of coal mine” [Australia] 20 October 2021
Western Environmental Law Center: “Fishing, recreation advocates topple critical Trump-era Clean Water Act federal power grab” 22 October 2021
Local government
ICLEI City Talk Blog: Wessel M “Financing resilience to combat compounding climate hazards” 7 October 2021
ICLEI City Talk Blog: Wessel M “Daring Cities 2021 wraps with a sense that local voices are finally being heard” 11 October 2021
Lexology: “Land Use Framework Plans – A new level in Melbourne’s strategic planning framework” 18 October 2021
Lexology: “The Energy Transition Series: Green Building” [Canada] 20 October 2021
IISD SDG Knowledge Hub: “Approach People Where They Are: Lessons from Mannheim 2030 Vision” 20 October 2021
Mining
IISD ENB: Malan S “How to Advance Sustainable Mining” 18 October 2021
Extractives Baraza: Energy Voice “Wave Energy Firm Mocean Adds Aberdeen Base as Demand Grows to Decarbonise Oil and Gas Assets” 19 October 2021
IISD ENB: 17th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development (IGF) | 19–20 October 2021 | Online
Lexology: “Final report into the destruction of Indigenous heritage sites at Juukan Gorge has been released” 20 October 2021
The Conversation: Gibbs E “Ending coal use blighted Scottish communities – a just transition to a green economy must support workers” 20 October 2021
Water, Oceans, Waste and Chemicals
IISD ENB: Helfenstein K “Healing the Ozone Layer Through Diplomacy” 13 September 2021
Lexology: “What isn’t a “pollutant” requiring a permit under the Clean Water Act?” [USA] 14 October 2021
IISD SDG Knowledge Hub: “Week of Action Aims to Accelerate Global Phase Out of Lead Paint” 18 October 2021
Lexology: “White House announces PFAS Plan; EPA launches three-year PFAS strategic roadmap” 19 October 2021
IISD ENB: Vienna Convention and Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer | Combined 12th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Vienna Convention (Part II) and 33rd Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol | 23–29 October 2021 | Online
IISD SDG Knowledge Hub: “GEF-8 Draft Work Program Includes Plastic Pollution, Circular Economy” 20 October 2021
The Conversation: Elvis Genbo Xu and Xiaoyu Duan “Plastic, plastic everywhere – airborne microplastics are settling into the most remote corners of the globe” 20 October 2021
“New tool finds the best opportunities to reduce, reuse, and recycle across industrial sectors” The tool uses physical principles and mechanistic models from physics, engineering, and biological sciences to automate mapping of the physical economy, and it is much faster than the standard methods, said Shweta Singh, the scientist who developed the tool. “With this modeling tool, we can do in one day what would have taken 100 days.” [IAIA Newsletter 21 October 2021]
Miscellaneous
The Conversation: Amano T “The English language dominates global conservation science – which leaves 1 in 3 research papers virtually ignored” 8 October 2021
The Times Picayenne: Schleifstein M “Satellite photos show Hurricane Ida’s damage to Louisiana coast – and it’s not pretty – Category 4 storm’s surge, waves ripped up marsh grasses and washed them away” 17 October 2021
Nature: Vince G “Synthetic biology — a call to meddle better” 19 October 2021
Lexology: “The Growth of Profitability in Environmental Opportunities: Where Businesses Should Look to Maximize Fiscal and Social Benefits” [USA] 19 October 2021
Nature: Rodrigues M “Scientists reel as Brazilian government backtracks on research funds” 22 October 2021
Belfast Telegraph: “New terms in Oxford English Dictionary as language of climate crisis takes hold” 23 October 2021
The 2021 Elisabeth Haub Award for Environmental Law and Diplomacy was awarded to the Ugandan climate justice activist Vanessa Nakate and Prof. Wang Xi, an environmental law scholar and advocate from China. Find here a news release regarding the event and here the video of the ceremony and inspiring panel discussion. [Smita Narula,Haub Co-Director, Global Center for Environmental Legal Studies, Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University]
The Land Use, Human Health, and Equity Project has resulted in 30+ blogs highlighting innovative land use strategies that are being used to help address viral pandemics, housing insecurity, climate change, and racial equity. To distill the information gathered by over 40 law students into a format accessible to the busiest professors, land use attorneys, planners, advocates, and local legislatures, we’ve begun producing content for the Land Use Center’s three social media platforms. LinkedIn: Land Use Law Center https://www.linkedin.com/company/land-use-law-center / Instagram: @landuselaw / https://www.instagram.com/landuselaw/?hl=en / Twitter: @LandUseLC https://twitter.com/landuselc?lang=en. If you have a little more time on your hands and are interested in viewing our full selection of blogs in their entirety, please visit Pace | Haub Environmental Law’s GreenLawBlogs
Conferences, Workshops, Study Opportunities
National
The Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS), the International Carbon Action Partnership (ICAP) and Climate Legal present a structured Dialogue & Engagement on appropriate carbon pricing in Least Developing Countries (LDCs) and Emerging Economies
The purpose of the Dialogue & Engagement is to canvas and capture the views of sector and regional carbon markets experts from LDCs, Emerging Economies and European Union climate change and carbon policy makers on the question of which carbon pricing instruments (if any) are appropriate for LDCs and Emerging Economies, and how they should be structured to be inclusive and beneficial. Attendance is by invitation only and invitations will not be generally distributed or made available unless there is a need to revise this approach.
The Dialogue will occur on: Part 1, 26 October 2021, 14h00-16h15 CEST, and Part 2, 27 October 2021, 14h00- 16h15 CEST (Zoom).
Please register in advance for this meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcrduipqD4uHtXu5yZAqjmjxrSFSAM3ZTZd.
DSI/NRF/CSIR Chair in Waste and Society Webinar Series
Presenter: Dr Takunda Chitaka
Date: Thursday, 28 October 2021 @ 12h00 PM More information
Free State Centre for Human Rights: Is Something Happening to Our Legal Profession?
Panelists: Justice Zak Yacoob (Emeritus Justice of the Constitutional Court of South Africa); Anna-Marie de Vos SC (Practicing advocate with 36 years experience); Tembeka Ngcukaitobi (SC, Johannesburg Society of Advocates, Duma Nokwe Group, Fountain Chambers)
Date: Thursday 28 October 2021
Time: 14:00 – 16:00 Online
RSVP: Mawanda Mokoena @ to obtain the link
African Network of Constitutional Lawyers (ANCL) in collaboration with the University of Nairobi, Faculty of Law: ANCL 2021 Virtual Conference: Status of constitutionalism in Africa through the lens of the aspirations, performance, and challenges of Checking the tide of democratic regression in Africa
The conference will be held via Zoom. This conference follows and builds on the discussions initiated at the 2018 conference in Gaborone, Botswana on the theme “Courts, Power and Constitutional Law in Africa” and during a webinar in 2020 which was a commemoration of the 10th Anniversary of the Constitution of Kenya. This year’s hybrid conference will offer a reflection on the status of constitutionalism in Africa through the lens of the aspirations, performance, and challenges of Checking the tide of democratic regression in Africa.
When: Oct 28 & 29, 2021 10:00 AM Johannesburg
Registration / more information
World Planning Day: Strengthening the Co-Production Paradigm in Planning (Promoting Government and Citizen Partnerships)
Dates: 8-9 November 2021
Registration
For any queries please contact /
International
IAIA and Earth Law Centre: Think Big: A Cleaner, Greener COVID-19 Recovery
A new virtual forum will be taking place online 2-18 November.
Register now for this free, six- part series.
Peter Henderson, Breaking News Editor at Reuters, will be the moderator. This forum will help define the future directions of impact assessment by supporting a “Think Big” vision – an agenda that analyzes climate change and COVID-19 through an ecocentric lens. The first five sessions will be pre-recorded, and the sixth session will be a live panel discussion with real-time Q&A with attendees. Find out more and register for this free forum today!
IAIA22 abstract submission open through 8 November
Submit your abstract today for IAIA22, “Confidence in Impact Assessment: Policies, partnerships and public involvement,” taking place 4-7 May 2022 in Vancouver, Canada. IAIA22 will include a virtual component, and submissions are being accepted for either in- person or pre-recorded presentations on over 60 session topics. IAIA22 financial aid opportunities Registration for IAIA22 will be opening next week, and in an effort to support all persons in their right to have a voice in the decisions that affect them, IAIA will be offering several financial aid opportunities to assist delegates in attending the conference. Read more about the various opportunities and application deadlines here.
INECE webinar, on October 26th from 9am to 10:30am (US EST), titled “Perspectives on Environmental Justice in Compliance and Enforcement.” This event will be the first in a series of INECE Compliance Conversations about Environmental Justice. To view this webinar, register here by October 22nd: https://bit.ly/3nVkA7u
BSI: How standards for sustainable finance help integrate Net Zero and ESG considerations into investment decisions
Date: 3 November
Time: 09:30 – 11:30
Venue: The Lighthouse, Glasgow G1 3NU or Livestream
Join us for a panel session to discuss the financial sector’s unique role in mobilising capital to support global sustainability and climate targets. This event focusses on how standards can accelerate the adoption of the principles of sustainable finance to help underpin the transformation of the market and facilitate the transition to Net Zero. Led by BSI, the panel – which includes representatives from the Scottish Government and the Scottish financial sector – will share insights on new standards programmes, such as those referenced in the UK’s 2019 Green Finance Strategy.
Daring Cities 2021: ICLEI: Moving goods: Low carbon action plan for urban freight
Date: 26 October 2021 14:00 CEST More information
Indigenous Peoples and Climate Change: Preparing for COP26
On October 31, the world will gather in Glasgow for COP26, a major summit on climate change. As the U.S. rejoins the Paris Agreement, Indigenous Peoples, their traditional knowledge, and relationship with the earth are also at the forefront. Join Colorado Law for a discussion with Indigenous leaders and advocates to learn what’s at stake for all of us.
Date: Wednesday, 20 October 2021 Time: 2:00-1:15 p.m. MT
Join via Zoom at: Indigenous Peoples and Climate Change
Vacancies, Bursaries, Funding, Opportunities, etc.
National
Law internship at UNEP: Modern Technologies for Disaster Risk Reduction
UN internships are not paid but this one is home-based so it is just a matter of giving time and maybe one of your students is interested. More information
Green Attorney Cape Town, Western Cape
Are you an energetic, entrepreneurial attorney who would like to join a dynamic and reputable team of “green” lawyers? Cullinans is a specialist environmental and green business law firm based in Cape Town that has been in practice for 24 years. Much of our work is high-impact and ground breaking (e.g. climate change litigation). We value excellence, ethics and innovation and are looking for someone with the qualities to become a director. This is a rare opportunity for a committed lawyer to make a real difference in the world. You should have experience in areas of law that are compatible with the firm’s core expertise and brand such as environmental law, renewable energy, and business start-ups (see www.cullinans.co.za). Please email your CV and covering letter to
University of Stellenbosch: Associate Professor / Senior Lecturer / Lecturer (Ref. RG02/283/1021 in Private Law (Law of Succession)
Closing date: 12 November 2021
More information: Enquiries regarding this post: Dr. Bernard Wessels, Head of the Department of Private Law, on 021 808 2113, or at Enquiries regarding remuneration/benefits as well as technical assistance with the electronic application process: Human Resources Client Services Centre on 021 808 2753 or at sun-e- / apply online at http://www.sun.ac.za/english/careers
Cape Peninsula University of Technology: ECP Lecturer / Junior Lecturer: Maritime Studies (5-year contract) (also Shipping law)
Closing date: 31 October 2021 More information
NWU: NRF SARChI Chair in Cities, Law and Environmental Sustainability: LLM Bursary
The Konrad-Adenauer Foundation is sponsoring a full-time LLM by Research student for 2022. The Foundation offers a full cost of study bursary for a student:
- With an average for the final year LLB above 75%;
- With a final mark for the LLB dissertation of at least 75%;
- Who intends to register for a LLM by Research at the NWU in 2022; and
- Who is willing to write his or her dissertation on a topic that fits the research agenda of the NWU’s NRF SARChI Chair in Cities, Law and Environmental Sustainability. Students from any nationality are eligible to The bursary is awarded on the basis of academic merit.
Students qualifying on the basis of the above criteria, are invited to send a CV, cover letter and full academic record to Ms Bernalee Anthony () by 9 November 2021.
PDG: Postgraduate Internship Opportunity
PDG is a niche public sector development consultancy based in Cape Town and Johannesburg with over 30 years of experience in providing research and evaluation, policy, strategic planning and management support to the public sector. We support decision- making in the public interest, improving public services and governance in order to positively impact on the quality of people’s lives. Opportunity: Full-time paid internship (12 months) for a young postgraduate based in Cape Town with an interest in public policy. Main advantage: A customised learning and development programme that prioritises building professional experience and supporting young graduates. We are currently accepting applications for our January 2022 intake. The internship will conclude at the end of December 2022. Please see www.pdg.co.za for further details on our practice areas and information about our organisation. Eligible applicants: New graduates with an Honours or Masters qualification in one of the following: civil engineering; economics; commerce; statistics; geography; environmental science; accounting; data science and/or other relevant disciplines. South African nationals under the age of 30. Fluency in English is essential and proficiency in any other of South Africa’s official languages is an advantage. All applicants should apply online via our recruitment portal at https://pdg.co.za/recruitment/internship . Applicants are to provide all the required information and upload the requested documents via the website by no later than 16:00 on 29 October 2021. Please direct any questions related to the internship programme and process in writing to .
Denton Harvey: Candidate Attorney Johannesburg
More information
South African Government Department of Labour COID Employer Auditor Internship, Mpumalanga
Closing date: 1 November 2021 More information
World Food Programme: Programme Policy Officer: Regional Humanitarian Policy Advisor (11 Months CST II) Johannesburg
Closing date: 4 November 2021 More information
University of Pretoria: Senior Lecturer/Associate Professor/ Professor in Productive Rights
Closing date: 8 November 2021 More information
Associate/ Senior Associate – Sandton
More information
International
Assistant Professor in Business Law – University of Toronto Faculty of Law
Assistant Professor in Law – University of Toronto Faculty of Law
Associate Professor of Environmental and Natural Resources Policy – University of Copenhagen Department of Food and Resource Economics
Postdoctoral Researcher in Evolution in Urban Environments – University of Oulu Faculty of Science
Postdoctoral Researcher in Environmental Social Sciences – University of Helsinki Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry
Professor of Law – University of Florida Levin College of Law
Assistant Professor in Jurisprudence and Social Policy – University of California Berkeley School of Law
Vermont Law School’s Distinguished Environmental Scholars program
This year we are seeking one scholar focused on International Environmental Law to join us for two weeks in Vermont during our Summer Session in June or July 2022. As in past years, VLS covers the scholar’s travel expenses, provides housing and office space, and awards a $5,000 honorarium. Scholars give a public lecture at VLS and are invited to participate in informal gatherings with faculty and students. To apply or to nominate a colleague, please send a cover letter and CV to Courtney Collins at by November 1.
Position open at Arctic Council Secretariat
The Arctic Council is seeking an Advisor for their Secretariat in Norway; position details are available on their website. IAIA shares the job postings we receive in the IAIAConnect Members group, and current members are always welcome to post their own listings there too.
Sabin Center’s Climate Law Fellow
This is an early-career, two-year fellowship, beginning in September 2022. Information is available here.
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Featured image credit: Waves (Hermanus) by Lochner Slabbert
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