South African Court’s Landmark Judgment: Transitioning Away from Coal

South African Court’s Landmark Judgment: Transitioning Away from Coal

Sub : Env

Sec: Climate change

Why in News

• South Africa’s High Court in Pretoria delivered a landmark judgment by rejecting the government’s plan to expand coal-fired power generation. The court declared the proposal inconsistent with the country’s Constitution, marking a significant victory for civil society organizations advocating against fossil fuels.

Background of the Case:

• South Africa’s Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) of 2019 proposed adding 1,500 MW of coal power—750 MW by 2023 and another 750 MW by 2027—to the national grid.
• This proposal was backed by the Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy and the National Energy Regulator of South Africa in 2020.

The ‘Cancel Coal’ Initiative:

• Organizations such as the African Climate Alliance, Vukani Environmental Justice Movement in Action, and the Groundwork Trust, represented by the Centre for Environmental Rights, filed a case challenging the coal expansion.
• The groups highlighted environmental degradation, public health concerns, and constitutional violations, especially concerning children’s rights.

South Africa’s Energy Landscape:

• Approximately 71% of South Africa’s energy supply comes from coal, as per the International Energy Agency (2022).
• South Africa is the 16th largest emitter of greenhouse gases, as per Climate Watch.
• South Africa is legally obligated to reduce greenhouse gas emissions under the agreement.
• National Goals: Reduce 350–420 MtCO2e of emissions by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
• In July 2024, President Cyril Ramaphosa enacted the Climate Change Act to institutionalize emission reductions.

About Climate Watch:

• Climate Watch is an open online platform developed by the World Resources Institute (WRI) that provides users with comprehensive climate-related data, visualizations, and resources.
• Its primary goal is to support countries, policymakers, researchers, and the public in accessing reliable information to achieve climate and sustainable development objectives.
• Offers detailed information on national and global greenhouse gas emissions, enabling users to analyse trends and identify key emission sources.
• Provides insights into countries’ Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement, facilitating comparisons and assessments of climate commitments.

About Coal:

• Coal is a sedimentary, organic rock which is flammable composed primarily of carbon along with other elements such as hydrogen, sulphur, oxygen, and nitrogen.
• It is used mainly in the generation of thermal power and smelting of iron ore.
• Also called black gold.

Formation Of Coal:

• Coal is formed from dead plants remains.
• These dead plants get compressed beneath rocks in a low oxygen environment.
• Due to high pressure and heat, this organic matter gets converted into Peat(partially decayed organic matter).
• This peat is converted into low carbon coal i.e., lignite.
• More heat and pressure convert lignite into bituminous and then to anthracite.

Types Of Coal:

• On the basis of carbon content and order of formation:
  • PEAT– 40% CARBON (NE)
  • LIGNITE– 40-60% CARBON – Low Quality – Brown in colour- found in Neyveli in TN.
  • BITUMINOUS– 60-80% CARBON. It is soft coal. In India, much of the coal comes under this category.
  • ANTHRACITE– 80-90% CARBON. It is mainly found in the district of Reasi in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.