Green Connection and Natural Justice take legal action against Total Energies 'authorisation' to drill offshore
The Green Connection and Natural Justice have approached the high court to challenge the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy's decision to grant Total Energies a go ahead to drill oil and gas offshore.
The Minister of the department, Gwede Mantashe, gave Total Energies an environmental authorisation after rejecting an appeal from lobby groups who intend on challenging this decision.
Green Connection’s Strategic Lead, Liziwe McDaid says, "We remain committed to good governance, ensuring that development decisions are made to ensure the sustainable management of our oceans.
"We do not believe that the DMRE’s decision to grant environmental authorisation and DFFE Minister Creecy’s subsequent dismissal of appeals were in the public interest, for both current and future generations.
"This is why this legal action is so critical because it challenges decisions that could have far-reaching impacts on the wellbeing of coastal communities and the ocean that they depend on".
The two organisations believe that the government failed to consider the requirements of the Integrated Coastal Management Act (ICMA) and ignored the impacts of the drilling activities extending to Namibia and international waters.
"Our legal challenge is grounded in principles of good governance and environmental protection. We believe that, in order to promote and ensure a healthy democracy, the decision-making process must adhere to our country’s legal frameworks, in this instance, the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) and the ICMA. These laws prioritise the conservation and protection of our coastal resources, while also promoting meaningful public participation,” said Natural Justice's Melisa Groenink.
The legal action comes as concerns over climate change continue to grow globally.
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