National Environmental activisits win first SA climate-change court case Court orders the government to undertake a full climate-change assessment before construction of the coal-fired Thabametsi power plant proceeds BL PREMIUM

Environmental activists declared a major victory on Wednesday after winning the country’s first climate-change case and forcing the government to re-assess the effect of a coal-fired power plant. Earthlife Africa successfully challenged a government decision to confirm construction of a proposed coal-fired power station, arguing that the proper climate-change impact assessment had not been carried out. Minister of Environmental Affairs Edna Molewa accepted that the effect of the proposed Thabametsi power plant had not been "comprehensively assessed or considered" — but granted environmental approval anyway, according to the ruling seen by AFP. North Gauteng High Court Judge John Murphy ordered that the ministry complete an assessment before construction of the plant, due to be built in northern Limpopo, can proceed. Earthlife Africa spokeswoman Makoma Lekalakala told AFP that the ruling sent "a very strong message to government and to locals to take part in consultation before any d...