Centre for Environmental Rights – Advancing Environmental Rights in South Africa

We are activist lawyers who work with communities and civil society organisations in South Africa to realise our Constitutional right to a healthy environment by advocating and litigating for environmental justice. We seek a just, equitable, compassionate society which is resilient, celebrates diversity, and respects the inter-dependence between people and the environment.

News

Call for Nominations: Environmental Rights & Remedies – a course for activists

8 June 2021

September/October 2021 The Centre for Environmental Rights’ annual Environmental Rights & Remedies Course for environmental justice activists is a key component of CER’s activist support and training work. Developed from demand from our community partners for rights training and building on existing initiatives like groundWork’s Environmental Justice School, the Rights & Remedies Course empowers participants… continued

Final nail in the coffin for proposed Khanyisa Coal Power Station

3 June 2021

Approval for another new coal-fired power station has been set aside by the High Court. In an order dated 27 May 2021 handed down today, the Pretoria High Court declared that the environmental approval for the planned 600MW Khanyisa coal-fired power station has expired. Khanyisa would have been built on the outskirts of Emalahleni, already… continued

Environmental justice activists demand urgent climate action at AMSA’s AGM

20 May 2021

For the third year in a row, environmental justice activists demand accountability for environmental and climate impacts from steelmaker ArcelorMittal SA at its annual general meeting VANDERBIJLPARK, SOUTH AFRICA: At today’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) of steelmaker ArcelorMittal South Africa (AMSA), the Vaal Environmental Justice Alliance (VEJA) and the Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) are once again demanding accountability… continued

The struggle to breathe clean air in Mpumalanga goes to court

17 May 2021

Landmark #DeadlyAir air pollution case against South African government will be heard in the Pretoria High Court from 17 May 2021 Two environmental justice groups are asking the High Court to declare the poor ambient air quality in the Highveld Priority Area a violation of the Constitutional right to an environment not harmful to health… continued

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