Ecological Justice

Yesterday, May 3rd 2018, a historic settlement was reached between South African mineworkers who contracted silicosis or tuberculosis while working underground and seven gold mining companies, the first class action settlement of its kind in the country.

The water crisis has thrust the Cape Town population into a major panic. For some, this is the first we find ourselves under such circumstances. However, Cape Town has faced severe water shortages before. This is the second major water crisis to hit the city in a 100 years.

An Australian firm which planned to mine in the iconic Karoo region of South Africa has been forced to leave after costly delays in the licensing process. Dr Stefan Cramer hopes its exit - combined with the environmental efforts of the new South African government - may enable the Karoo to finally realise its full potential in sustainable agriculture and renewable energies

The Heinrich Boell Foundation congratulates Makoma Lekalakala and Liz McDaid for being awarded the Goldman Environmental Price 2018.

In response to the growing demand for energy security and financial independence in women-led households, HBS together with its partner Sustainable Energy Africa has been providing training on green entrepreneurship to a group of women in George. This evaluation report documents a 5 day training recently  held in George, Western Cape.

South Africa is heavily dependent on coal as a source of energy. However, a growing body of research and modelling shows that it is possible for South Africa to make a significant shift to renewable energy. But despite this, and despite its commitments under the Paris Agreement, South Africa continues to build new coal-fired power stations and to authorise major new coal mines. 

  Despite its importance and uniqueness, the Philippi Horticultural Area (PHA) has come under threat from inappropriate urban and industrial development. To this end, the City of Cape Town started a process of rezoning the area from an agricultural land use to industrial in order to accommodate the planned development.  

After a long struggle to protect the rights of indigenous communities, a landmark decision has been taken by the Rooibos Industry to enter into negotiations with the Khoi and San as the associated traditional knowledge rights holders to the uses of Rooibos. An Access and Benefit Sharing Agreement is currently being concluded between the two parties based on mutually agreed terms, and in compliance with Nagoya Protocol.

On 22 November 2017, the Campaign for a Just Energy Future (CJEF) held a public political party debate at St. George’s Cathedral in Cape Town. Joined by its many Stop the Nuke Deal partners and also the Heinrich Boell Foundation (HBF), the CJEF held a successful public event which did much to promote the idea of the need for energy justice.