- The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) has release a new impact report which reflects on achievements over the past 13 years and celebrates their vision for the future: to contribute to a vibrant and growing environmental and climate justice movement in South Africa.
- Since its inception, 90 environmental activists have graduated from CER’s Environmental Rights and Remedies course for activists, including over 50 women activists.
- CER’s virtual environmental law library contains more than 200 pieces of legislation, policies and court judgments, and is regularly accessed by students, researchers, government officials and attorneys in and outside of South Africa.
The report, which can be read in full here, traces the trajectory of CER from its modest beginnings as a new non-profit law clinic to a respected public interest law organisation with a diverse team of over 40 lawyers and activists who work on environmental rights and justice issues across South Africa. CER’s work covers climate change, mining, pollution, corporate accountability and transparency, and activist support and training.
“Over the past 13 years, CER has grown from a humble start-up to a mature organisation that employs more than 40 staff in Cape Town and Johannesburg, with a formidable and global reputation of successful environmental and climate litigation and legal advocacy in South Africa. None of this would have been possible without our partners and clients, and particularly the community activists at the forefront of the struggle for environmental and climate justice. This impact report is a reflection and celebration of all the victories we’ve achieved collectively,” says Melissa Fourie, Executive Director.
“Over the last two years CER has taken the opportunity to pause, reflect on our growth and carefully consider our strategy for the future. Our impact report showcases the power of working with communities to fight for environmental justice and advance human rights and the realisation of our Section24 Constitutional right,” says incoming Executive Director Wandisa Phama.
Read the full CER Impact Report HERE
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
