JET In The News is a short summary recap of top events, relevant information and discussions, and articles on Just Energy Transition in South Africa from the last week. It aims to keep us all in the loop as it relates to our Just Energy Future! 

General:

The Climate Justice Coalition in Mpumalanga holds the DMRE accountable for not responding to the demands laid out in the memorandum delivered during the March 20 #PeoplesPower Action.

Nondumiso Mabuza, Carolina Eco Green: “We participated in the meeting due to the fact that DMRE still did not respond to our demands. I feel so angry because the DMRE is not taking communities who reside near the mines seriously. They only care about production, not people’s lives. The DMRE has failed in its handling of expired mining-related permits. Its failure has had environmental impacts including contamination of rivers and groundwater sources, contributing to air pollution and land degradation.”

Read more: https://climatejusticecoalition.org/cjc-action-pressures-mpumalanga-dmre-to-commit-to-working-with-mining-affected-communities/ 

Fossil Fuels 

“The biggest of the immediate challenges is to reach the largest possible worldwide consensus of system change being the only viable response to climate change.” Says Jeff Rudin from the Alternative Information & Development Centre (AIDC) in his latest opinion piece.  The piece unpacks the “global political protection of Big Oil and other polluters”, its consequences for humanity, and talks about the need for systemic change before it’s too late for current and future generations. 

Read More: https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-06-17-humanity-being-condemned-to-death-by-global-political-protection-of-big-oil-and-other-polluters/ 

Media Release: Mass arrests in uganda, as Hundreds Gather Worldwide Urging China to Halt

“Hundreds of people gathered outside Chinese embassies and financial institutions in 10 countries today – with another action expected to take place on the 28th in Washington DC – calling on China to reject financial support for the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) and related oil field projects. The demonstrations took place across Africa and Europe in a coordinated day of action organized by Ugandan, Tanzanian and other StopEACOP campaign members.”

Read More: https://allafrica.com/stories/202406270241.html

Nuclear 

Public Hearings on LTO Extension – Round 2

Following the second round of public hearings by the National Nuclear Regulator (NNR) of South Africa in Early June 2024 in Western Cape and the Northern Cape, where civil society organisations, youth, and community members spoke out against the Long-Term Operation Extension Liscense the the fight for a nuclear free future in South Africa continues as all await the NNR’s decision.

Koeberg Nuclear Power Station Emergency Mass Care Exercise

On 20 June 2024, at Edgemead Community Centre, Eskom held an “emergency safety drill” / Koeberg Nuclear Power Station (KNPS) Mass Care Centre exercise. The purpose of the exercise is to test the City’s response to a hypothetical evacuation and relocation of residents from the 0 – 16km of the KNPS.

Civil society organisations and individuals attempted to find out more about the exercise after having found out about it, and when asking how to get involved were told by officials present that they should have made an effort ahead of time to get involved. How would this have been possible when only those living in the surrounding area of the community centre were made aware?

Koeberg Public Safety Information Forum

On 27 June 2024, the second quarterly Koeberg Public Safety Information Forum meeting will be held at Koeberg Nuclear Power Station. Many hope to attend both in person and online to discuss the safety of Africa’s only nuclear power station. In the past attendance has been difficult for marginalised groups due to location, time, and entrance requirements such as proof of residence. Those aiming to attend online are hopeful that they will be able to engage, given that they weren’t in the first quarterly meeting of 2024 due to a global network crisis of Microsoft Teams and other meeting platforms not allowing them to. 

Renewable Energy

“The International Energy Agency, in a new report reiterates that renewable energy in particular is the most cost-effective, sustainable way for African countries to develop their economies.” 

Read More Here: https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-06-25-affordable-sustainable-energy-key-to-africas-economic-and-social-development-iea-report/ 

Date: 27 June 2024