The Green Connection and Natural Justice have come together to challenge a decision to grant TotalEnergies EP South Africa environmental authorisation for exploratory drilling in an area off the coast between Cape Town and Cape Agulhas. The two organisations argue that the South African government did not fully assess the drilling’s potential impacts on local fisheries, and did not consider the Integrated Coastal Management Act (ICMA), which prioritises the conservation and protection of coastal resources. There are also concerns about the drilling activities expanding beyond South Africa’s borders and into international waters. As one of the top 15 largest emitters of carbon dioxide worldwide and the largest emitter in Africa, South Africa has made commitments to reduce its emissions. However, the proposed drilling contradicts these commitments and South Africa’s international climate obligations.
