Chaini Parwani –
Published On: November 20, 2021 at 14:40 IST
Three Civil Society Organisations have filed a lawsuit in the North Gauteng High Court against the South African Government, challenging its energy policy in association with Coal-fired Power Stations stating it incompatible with the National Constitution being infringing Rights of Future Generation.
South Africa’s energy is generated about 80% from Coal, Gwede Mantashe, the energy minister, observed it would continue to play a crucial role in the Nation’s electricity generation to up to 1,500MW more.
Cyril Ramaphosa, the South African President, admits the climate crisis is the most pressing issue of our time and that developing economies are particularly vulnerable. As well as the direct dangers of rising temperatures, the climate emergency poses a particular threat to South Africa because of its existing water and food insecurity.
The campaigners highlighted is no legitimate basis for constraining their Constitutional Rights because Renewable Energy is a feasible alternative and is cleaner and inexpensive than new Coal Power.
Gabriel Klaasen, youth coordinator at the African Climate Alliance, stated that, “Beyond time that young people and vulnerable communities are taken into account and their needs prioritised. Without this, I can’t imagine a future that is not defined by continued and increased suffering.”
The head of the Pollution and Climate Change Programme at Non-Profit Centre for Environmental Rights, Nicole Loser, representing the Petitioners, noted that Climate litigation had already put noteworthy influence on South Africa’s Coal Power.
Further the Energy Minister and the National Energy Regulator of South Africa have been appealed for a statement.