Centre for Environmental Rights – Advancing Environmental Rights in South Africa

At the launch of a new groundWork report entitled Destruction of the Highveld: Part 2 – Burning Coal in eMalahleni, “the place of coal”, yesterday, community members* confirmed the study’s findings that Eskom’s coal addiction is causing serious health problems and killing people in the Highveld. They also called for a community and worker-led process to drive a just transition, and end the way in which coal power is turning the Mpumalanga Highveld into a wasteland.

Furthermore, the report finds that people are already experiencing the severe effects of climate change and that a just transition requires the following:

• A new energy system based on socially owned renewables;
• New jobs in renewables;
• Large scale restoration and detoxification of land and ecosystems injured by the fossil fuel economy on the Highveld;
• A new and healthier food economy;
• Properly built, energy efficient housing;
• A new and healthier transport economy;
• The reorientation and expansion of municipal services; and
• A basic income grant for all.

Download the new report here together with groundWork’s 2016 report Destruction of the Highveld: Part 1 – Digging Coal. Read more about the 2016 report here.

* Community organisations represented at the event included the Highveld Environmental Justice Network and Vukani Environmental Justice Movement in Action.

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For media queries, please contact:

• groundWork:  Bobby Peek on 082 464 1383, or David Hallows on 083 262 4922
• Highveld Environmental Justice Network:  Nomcebo Makhubelo on 072 120 1626
• Vukani Environmental Justice Movement in Action:  Promise Mabilo on 079 748 9115

Together with Earthlife Africa Johannesburg and the CER, goundWork is a member of the Life After Coal/Impilo Ngaphandle Kwamalahle campaign. We discourage investment in new coal-fired power stations and mines; accelerate the retirement of South Africa’s coal infrastructure; and enable a just transition to renewable energy systems for the people.

Life After Coal Campaign contacts:

• Centre for Environmental Rights: Annette Gibbs, Email: [email protected], Mobile: 082 467 1295
• groundWork: Bobby Peek, Email: [email protected], Mobile: 082 464 1383
• Earthlife Africa: Makoma Lekalakala, Email: [email protected], Mobile: 082 682 9177