- With COP29 just a few weeks away, The Green Connection, Natural Justice, and Masifundise Development Trust are drawing attention to the widespread opposition of the environmental authorisation granted for offshore oil and gas exploration in Block 3B/4B, off South Africa’s West Coast.
The eco-justice organisations, along with small-scale fishers and fishing co-operatives – Environmental Traits, Spirit of Endeavour Fisherfolk Women, Moeggesukkel Visserye Cooperative Ltd, West Coast indigenous Movement, Eastern Cape Environmental Network, Aukwotowa Fisheries Co-Op, Lamberts Bay Fishers Primary Co-Op Limited –have filed their appeals against the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy’s approval for this project because it undermines South Africa’s climate goals and does not fully account for all its environmental and socio-economic impacts.
These appeals against the project – by Africa Oil South Africa Corp (AOSAC) and its partners, Ricocure (Pty) Limited and Azinam Limited – follow rising concerns from civil society organisations and coastal communities over the project’s threat to South Africa’s marine ecosystems, which support biodiversity and the livelihoods of many coastal residents. Despite these concerns, the Department of Energy has authorised the project, with TotalEnergies set to take over operations when drilling begins.
The Green Connection’s Strategic Lead, Liz McDaid says, “From a climate perspective, this exploration should never begin. Our focus must be on reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, as outlined in South Africa’s Integrated Energy Plan (IEP) legislation. How can we justify new fossil fuel projects that contradict our climate commitments under agreements like the Paris Agreement?” McDaid warns of the dangers of methane emissions, noting, “Methane, the main component of natural gas, is 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide in trapping heat over 20 years, accelerating climate change. Continuing oil and gas exploration risks locking us into decades of high emissions, undermining global efforts to limit warming to 1.5°C.”
Key concerns highlighted in the various appeals include inadequate oil spill risk assessments, potential harm to marine life, threats to food security, and a lack of meaningful consultation with affected communities.
David Mtshali from Natural Justice says, “A healthy ocean is vital for marine ecosystems, small-scale fisheries, and eco-tourism—industries that could be devastated by oil spills, habitat disruption, and long-term environmental damage. These industries support thousands of livelihoods, which are now at risk.”
McDaid argues that the economic benefits of exploration are overstated. “Exploration licenses offer no immediate economic benefits and claims of job creation and energy security are speculative. The long-term environmental and economic impacts far outweigh any short-term gains.”
Author: Bryan Groenendaal