Dec 9, 2024 | Advocacy, Position papers
Mining is a cornerstone of South Africa’s economy – a major employer, tax contributor, and key driver of energy production.
But it can also bring long-term and often destructive environmental impact. WESSA’s Mining Policy sets a framework for WESSA to engage with current and future mining issues. This includes ensuring that mining and related activities are adequately assessed and mitigated across their lifecycles.
Our aim is not to oppose mining in principle, but to understand its role in climate change and biodiversity loss, to ensure that mining and related activities are fully identified and adequately assessed across their lifecycles, and that the mitigation of detrimental immediate and long-term impacts takes place within reasonable timeframes and by those responsible.
We also call for adequate compliance monitoring by the authorities, and that strong enforcement action is taken when non-compliance is found. This is the only way to ensure responsible environmental practices in mining, in the interest of workers, communities and the sustaining environment.
We also recognise that South Africa has constitutional and moral obligations to protect the environment for current and future generations, that takes into cognisance South Africa’s global responsibilities and commitments, especially with regards to the voluntary commitments made as part of the Paris Convention to reduce GHG emissions, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and a commitment to a Just Energy Transition (JET).
Read the full WESSA Policy on Mining & Mineral Resources.
Dec 7, 2024 | News
The Board has approved two policies, developed by the Environmental Governance Committee and its contributing volunteer experts, to guide WESSA’s engagement and activism concerning current and future mining energy issues.
These policies recognise that the socio-economic and environmental landscapes are complex and so must make space for continuous change and emergence. We recognise that there needs to be some major “transitions”, particularly in how we think about mineral wealth and energy, and the impacts on jobs and livelihoods built around existing activities and systems.
Read our Position Statements.
Dec 7, 2024 | Advocacy, Position papers
Energy should enhance human life and society, but must be generated and used sustainably to help mitigate the harmful impacts of global warming and climate change.
WESSA supports South Africa’s goal to achieve net zero CO₂ emissions by 2050. Our Energy Policy promotes five key energy transitions to ensure a Just Transition that protects people, other species, and the planet.
In general, WESSA supports energy generation solutions that:
- Are assessed to be a combination of “best fit” and “minimal harm” to the specific country and local ecosystem conditions.
- Adhere to the principle of sustainable development (in which social, economic, and environmental considerations are evaluated and addressed).
- Employ the practice of collective stewardship in which all of society carries responsibility for addressing the challenge. But that such doesn’t absolve the polluter from paying, and importantly environmental justice principles must guide energy decisions, which includes enabling marginalised and disadvantaged communities to participate in the decision-making and beneficiation process.
- Promote more efficient and reduced per capita consumption
- Reduce or swop-out consumptive lifestyle and practices that are energy intensive for those that are less so, for instance reducing dependence on high-energy grown foods and clothes, composting organic waste, minimising food waste and more.
Read the full WESSA Policy on Energy.
