Centre for Environmental Rights

Centre for Environmental Rights Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Centre for Environmental Rights, Nonprofit Organization, 2nd Floor, Springtime Studios, 1 Scott Road, Observatory.

We are a non-profit organisation of activist lawyers who work with communities and civil society organisations in South Africa to realise our Constitutional right to a healthy environment by advocating and litigating for environmental justice.

Civil society collaboration in action.This joint op-ed explores the role civil society plays in safeguarding South Afric...
02/09/2026

Civil society collaboration in action.

This joint op-ed explores the role civil society plays in safeguarding South Africa’s energy future through legal action, accountability and public-interest advocacy.

The piece brings together voices from the Centre for Environmental Rights (Jonty Cogger), Natural Justice (Claire Martens), Open Secrets (Luthando Vilakazi), Lawyers For Human Rights (Mpho Makhubela), Fossil Free South Africa (Jo-Anne Smetherham), and The Green Connection (Lisa Makaula).

Read the full op-ed:
https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-09-01-how-civil-society-safeguards-south-africas-energy-future/

Recognition is not enough. Accountability is essential.Women continue to bear the disproportionate impacts of climate ch...
01/09/2026

Recognition is not enough. Accountability is essential.

Women continue to bear the disproportionate impacts of climate change and environmental harm. South Africa may have progressive policies, but the real test is whether those commitments are being implemented.

In this Women’s Month op-ed, Thobeka Gumede and Nobesuthu call for stronger monitoring, meaningful implementation and real accountability.

Read the full article via the link in bio or head to the comment section ⬇️

As Women’s Month comes to a close, we recognise the women whose leadership and courage continue to shape the fight for e...
31/08/2026

As Women’s Month comes to a close, we recognise the women whose leadership and courage continue to shape the fight for environmental justice.

Sharon Mbonani’s work is a powerful reminder of why this struggle matters.

CER’s Itumeleng Mphake and Nonjabulo Doyisa recently participated in the Fair Finance School in Durban, hosted by Fair F...
31/08/2026

CER’s Itumeleng Mphake and Nonjabulo Doyisa recently participated in the Fair Finance School in Durban, hosted by Fair Finance Southern Africa in collaboration with the African Climate Reality Project and Zero Waste Durban.

Through community stories, discussion and reflection, the programme explored how climate finance decisions translate into real impacts for people and the environment.

A just transition requires financial decisions that recognise these realities and prioritise justice, accountability and the needs of affected communities.

SAVE THE DATE: Join public interest organisations, lawyers, and activists from across South Africa at Wits University in...
28/08/2026

SAVE THE DATE: Join public interest organisations, lawyers, and activists from across South Africa at Wits University in Johannesburg on 26 and 27 October 2026 for two days of reflection, debate, and collaboration on the issues shaping our democracy.

Expect bold conversations, challenging perspectives, and an exciting line-up of topics that interrogate the state of justice in South Africa and beyond.

For more than a century, mining has generated enormous private wealth while workers, communities and the State have been...
25/08/2026

For more than a century, mining has generated enormous private wealth while workers, communities and the State have been left to carry the social, labour, environmental and economic costs.

Today, the 100 Year Debt Campaign, led by MACUA and WAMUA, is before Parliament demanding a substantive inquiry into mining accountability, corporate restructuring and community abandonment.

After more than a century of extraction, Parliament must ask: Who accumulated the wealth? Who performed the labour? Who received the profits? What environmental and social liabilities remain? And who carries the debt when capital moves on?

Value and responsibility must travel together. Communities must remain at the centre.

Read the full statement:
https://cer.org.za/news/100-year-debt-campaign-coalition-to-put-mining-accountability-corporate-exit-and-community-abandonment-before-parliament

Read the petition:
https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/PETITION-TO-PARLIAMENT-26-November-2025.pdf

CER Mining Programme attorney Paul Lado will present at the IAIAsa Conference on South Africa’s proposed flexible Enviro...
25/08/2026

CER Mining Programme attorney Paul Lado will present at the IAIAsa Conference on South Africa’s proposed flexible Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) regime.

He will explore what greater flexibility could mean for environmental protection, meaningful public participation and regulatory accountability.

Flexibility must not come at the expense of affected communities or meaningful environmental assessment.

21/08/2026

Young people are fighting for more than the future. They are fighting for the right to live, breathe and thrive now.

On Wednesday, went before the Supreme Court of Appeal, standing against plans for 1,500 MW of new coal-fired power.

We’ve made our case. Now we await judgment.

🎧 LISTEN | NEW COAL, OLD HARMSOn 19 August, the Supreme Court of Appeal will hear the government’s appeal in the landmar...
18/08/2026

🎧 LISTEN | NEW COAL, OLD HARMS

On 19 August, the Supreme Court of Appeal will hear the government’s appeal in the landmark case, concerning plans to procure 1,500 MW of new coal-fired power.

This short Africa Rise & Shine segment unpacks what the case means for public health, the environment and children’s constitutional rights.

South Africa’s energy choices will shape the health, wellbeing and futures of generations to come. Listen to what is at stake.

🔗 https://omny.fm/shows/africa-rise-shine/sa-coal-power-plans-face-court-challenge-over-health-environmental-and-children-s-rights-concerns

is back in court tomorrow. On 19 August 2026, the Supreme Court of Appeal will hear the government’s appeal against th...
18/08/2026

is back in court tomorrow. On 19 August 2026, the Supreme Court of Appeal will hear the government’s appeal against the landmark 2024 High Court judgment that stopped plans to add 1,500 MW of new coal-fired power to South Africa’s electricity grid.

The High Court found those plans to be unlawful and invalid.

This case matters for climate justice, public health and the rights of present and future generations. Coal-fired power continues to have severe health and environmental consequences, particularly for communities already living with the impacts of air pollution.

The outcome of this appeal will be an important moment for South Africa’s energy future.

📍 Supreme Court of Appeal
📅 19 August 2026

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2nd Floor, Springtime Studios, 1 Scott Road
Observatory
7925

Opening Hours

Monday 08:30 - 16:30
Tuesday 08:30 - 16:30
Wednesday 08:30 - 16:30
Thursday 08:30 - 16:30
Friday 08:30 - 16:30

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+27214471647

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