Call to Action: Nationwide Actions Erupt Against Oil and Gas Drilling Off South African Coastlines
On December 9 2023, people across South Africa will unite in local actions against oil and gas drilling off the South African coastlines.
Multinational corporations, including Shell, Qatar, Total Energies and contractors such as CGG and Searcher, are amongst the focal points of the latest round of public outrage.
Recent authorisations which have catalysed action are the
Recent authorisation by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) for UK-based CGG to conduct a speculative 3D seismic survey in the Algoa/Outeniqua Basin off the Southeast Coast of South Africa (appeals open to DFFE before 13th December 2023)
Recent decision by the Minister of DFFE to reject an environmental appeal off the West Coast, meaning seismic surveys by Searcher are planned to start after 1 January 2024 unless it is taken to court.
Recent decision by the Minister of DFFE to reject the environmental appeal against oil and gas exploration in blocks 567 (from Gansbaai on the South Coast to Doring Baai on the West Coast). Which means Total Energies can start drilling anytime from now unless it is taken to court.
Authorisation Amid Controversy:
The local actions are taking place on the same day as the global day for climate justice in line with COP28 in which the global climate justice movement is coming together to continue to advocate for a fast and fair phase out of fossil fuels. The international conference which is meant to be a place for making equitable progress on climate change and energy transitions, has been steeped in controversy and disappointment while the COP28 president, Sultan Al Jaber, has been accused of abusing his position to try to sign oil deals.
Communities, environmental activists, civil society organisations, and legal experts have expressed concern over the lack of public consultation and proper processes being followed around the exploration authorisations. Of particular concern is the impact that these surveys will have on the livelihoods of small scale fishing communities and those in the tourism sector, marine life such as turtles, fish, whales and plankton, as well as local coastal economies which are founded on healthy marine environments.
A map of the offshore oil and gas exploration in South Africa. Source: Green Connection
Contradiction with International Recommendations
The International Energy Agency (IEA) and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports have underscored the need for urgent action to reduce fossil fuel use over the next 20 years and have stated that no oil, gas or coal projects can come online if we are to limit catastrophic global warming and climate change. South Africa's Presidential Climate Commission’s (PCC) electricity recommendations have also aligned with the urgency of transitioning to renewable energy swiftly and justly.
Call to Action:
As fishing communities, civil society, environmentalists, and concerned people unite nationwide on December 9 to voice opposition to the potentially devastating consequences of these proposed oil and gas activities, they are calling on people to join them in actions against oil and gas exploration off the South African coast.
Some of the groups and organisations organising actions include:
Plettenberg Bay Community Environment Forum, Green Connection, Oceans Not Oil, Algoa Bay Ocean Stewards, Extinction Rebellion, Greenpeace Africa, Save the Wild Coast, African Climate Alliance, Eastern Cape Environmental Network, Masifundise, Coastal Links South Africa, Eden to Addo Corridor Initiative, Nature’s Valley Trust, Tsitsikamma Fishers Forum, WESSA Algoa Bay & Eden Branches, 7784 Performers Youth Development, Robberg Coastal Corridor Protected Environment, The Green Net, Helderberg Ocean Awareness Movement, Project 90 by 2030, Sustaining the Wild Coast NPC, SAFC - South African Fishers Collective, One Ocean Hub, CJN - Climate Justice Network, SAFCEI - Southern African Faith Communities Environment Institute, Fossil Free SA
For spokespeople and interviews, please contact the respective location contacts. For more information and links to various whatsapp groups, head to this link. For a table of the full Table of Active Exploration and Production Applications and Cases as of 6 Dec 2023, head to this link.
LIST OF PROTEST ACTIONS ON 9 DECEMBER 2023 INCLUDE:
| Location | Further Info | Contact |
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