Dec 9, 2024 | Advocacy, Position papers
Mining is a cornerstone of South Africa’s economy – a major employer, tax contributor, and key driver of energy production.
But it can also bring long-term and often destructive environmental impact. WESSA’s Mining Policy sets a framework for WESSA to engage with current and future mining issues. This includes ensuring that mining and related activities are adequately assessed and mitigated across their lifecycles.
Our aim is not to oppose mining in principle, but to understand its role in climate change and biodiversity loss, to ensure that mining and related activities are fully identified and adequately assessed across their lifecycles, and that the mitigation of detrimental immediate and long-term impacts takes place within reasonable timeframes and by those responsible.
We also call for adequate compliance monitoring by the authorities, and that strong enforcement action is taken when non-compliance is found. This is the only way to ensure responsible environmental practices in mining, in the interest of workers, communities and the sustaining environment.
We also recognise that South Africa has constitutional and moral obligations to protect the environment for current and future generations, that takes into cognisance South Africa’s global responsibilities and commitments, especially with regards to the voluntary commitments made as part of the Paris Convention to reduce GHG emissions, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and a commitment to a Just Energy Transition (JET).
Read the full WESSA Policy on Mining & Mineral Resources.
Nov 4, 2022 | Position papers
WESSA is strongly engaging in the Climate Change space, as we seek to Educate, Advocate and Act on Climate Action. Last Saturday, the SA Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA), WWF-SA and WESSA partnered to bring South African youth from all around the country together, to develop a call to our political leaders for climate change action and a just transition. Gathered at venues in Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg, as well as a strong contingent of virtual participants, our youth discussed debated and developed a statement of recommendations for the South African government delegation to negotiate towards at COP27. Read the COP27 National Youth Statement handed to Minister for the Environment, Minister Barbara Crecy, on Monday.
SAIIA has generously shared a COP27 access pass with WESSA, allowing us entry to observe the 2nd week of the state negotiation sessions (Blue Zone) at COP27. We are honoured and excited to be representing our organisation, our members and citizens at this global meeting for climate action. WESSA did consider the human rights situation in Egypt in making this decision. WESSA’s Strategic Lead: Advocacy, Morgan Griffiths, has been tasked with representing us. Morgan has previously represented WESSA at the 2016 IUCN World Conservation Congress, where he co-led a session on Human Capacity Development in the Biodiversity Sector. The primary objectives of WESSA attending COP27 are to gain experience and deeper understanding of the COP event and its processes; and networking in the climate action space. Morgan will also attend events in the Green Zone, where many civil society dialogues and advocacy engagements take place.
As can be expected, our participation at COP27 will incur dollar costs, and WESSA is asking for financial contributions to support our attendance there.
