Cancel Coal: Legal Challenge of Government’s Plan for New Coal-fired Power Capacity
MEDIA ADVISORY
IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
DATE: 08 October 2024
Defending for Tomorrow: Cancel Coal Takes Constitutional Battle to Court
WHAT: The legal challenge against the South African government’s plans to develop 1500 megawatts (MW) of new coal-fired electricity generation will be heard in the Pretoria High Court on October 9-10, 2024.
BACKGROUND: The youth-led Cancel Coal case is a landmark climate constitutional challenge brought by the African Climate Alliance (ACA), the Vukani Environmental Justice Movement in Action (VEM) and groundWork, Friends of the Earth SA, represented by the Centre for Environmental Rights (CER). The applicants argue that the government’s plan to build new coal plants threatens several constitutional rights, including the right to an environment not harmful to the health and well-being of present and future generations, as well as the rights to life, dignity, equality, and the best interests of the child.
WHY THIS CASE MATTERS: The Cancel Coal court case is South Africa’s first youth-led climate change case that challenges the government’s decision to procure 1500 MW of new coal-fired power despite the climate change impacts of burning coal which threaten the constitutional rights of present and future generations in South Africa.
The Cancel Coal case highlights the particular risk climate harms pose to children, young people and future generations in South Africa. The impacts of the inclusion of new coal-fired power will be experienced disproportionately by children and future generations, who will live with the consequences for decades to come. The applicants’ court papers highlight that section 28(2) of the Constitution, place a particular obligation to consider the best interest of children and to assess the interests of future generations.
Expert evidence submitted in support of the case demonstrates that South Africa does not need additional coal power to meet its electricity demands. Renewable energy alternatives, which are not only less harmful but also more cost-effective, can adequately meet the country’s energy needs.
WHEN: October 9-10, 2024
WHERE: Pretoria High Court
END
FOR EDITORS
Media Access: Journalists and media outlets are invited to cover this significant court hearing.
For media inquiries or to arrange interviews with representatives from the African Climate Alliance, Vukani Environmental Justice Movement in Action, or groundWork, please contact:
Nomatter Ndebele, CER Communications Coordinator: +27 76 731 4403,
Carina Conradie, Life After Coal Campaigner: +27 71 571 4470,
Tsepang Molefe, groundWork Media Campaigner: +27 74 405 1257
Click here to access the full #CancelCoal court documents.
Expert Reports
Potential Impacts of Proposed New Coal Generation, by Dr. Ranajit Sahu
Impacts on social, physical and mental health and well-being by Dr Garret Barnwell
