Sustainable Development

Victory in court for Philippi Horticultural Area

With findings that neither the City of Cape Town nor the provincial government considered the full impact of development on the Cape Flats Aquifer in the Philippi Horticultural Area, the Cape High Court has sent two crucial decisions back for a second look.

What we do

Faced with on-going development challenges compounded by the imminent threat of a warming and unstable global climate, sustainable development considerations have never been more compelling in Southern Africa.

Responsible decision making requires that we balance social, economic, and environmental objectives, taking due consideration of rights-based approaches to development in order to sustain life and the well-being of our current and future generations. This philosophy underpins the Sustainable Development Programme which encompasses four main themes: climate change, energy, resource governance and green development. The programme seeks to facilitate platforms for civil society, policy makers, decision makers and other stakeholders traditionally left out of the mainstream discourse to ensure that the interconnectedness between humans and nature is understood.

Partners

Climate Change

You Cannot Have Jobs on a Dead Planet

Multimedia

During September, South Africa’s youth infotainment show, Politically Aweh, in partnership with Action 24 – Active Citizens for Responsive Legislatures, launched a video series on the climate crisis in Mzansi. With the recent femicides that shook the nation to xenophobic attacks and an unemployment rate of 29%, it’s understandably challenging for young South Africans to even think about climate change. However, as Goldman Environmental prize winner, activist and HBF partner Makoma Lekalakala points out in the video “You cannot have jobs on a dead planet.”

Water is More Precious Than Gas

Multimedia

On Friday 20th September, thousands of South Africans joined the global climate strike to register their objections to the continuing destruction of the planet. Among them was HBF partner the Support Centre for Land Change (SCLC) who are fighting against fracking threats.

Environmental Justice

Building the Case for Informed Investment Decisions Towards a Sustainable South Africa

Call

The Heinrich Böll Foundation (HBF) Cape Town Office, in cooperation with the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), would like to offer South African civil society organisations the opportunity to work with the Sustainable Asset Valuation (SAVi) tool.

Clairwood Racecourse Action Committee says No! to Logistics "park"

South Durban Communities Push On With Legal Action Against KZN MEC

South Durban communities, represented by the Legal Resource Centre (LRC), push on with their legal action against the KZN MEC for EDTEA, to stop the development of the Clairwood trucking depo…

By Natasha Adonis

Sick Durban Residents Take Refinery To Court

Partner Publication

The environmental justice group, South Durban Community Environmental Alliance, has launched a lawsuit against resin manufacturing company Safripol. Thousands of Wentworth residents found their health seriously compromised after a chemical fire at the refinery.

By Nomfundo Xolo

Energy

The Sorry Tale of a Coal Mine in Paradise - and the Japanese Hands Behind It

Partner Analysis

The people of the Bushveld around Waterberg used to live peaceful lives in a beautiful area — until Medupi destroyed its ecological and social fabric. The government — with a Japanese firm — plans to build another coal-fired power station in the area, but the community is fighting back.

By Elana Greyling, Earthlife Africa Associate

Environmental Justice in South Durban: Community Caught Between Toxic Polluters and Climate Shocks

Analysis

For decades, South Durban's communities have shared their neighbourhood with two of the country’s biggest oil refineries. As some of the estimated 20,000 South Africans killed by air pollution every year, they now must also contend with flooding and storms.

By Shanice Farmin, South Durban Communities Environmental Alliance (SDCEA)

Climate Change Linked Drought Drives Karoo to Collapse