Assignment 2 Semester 1 2025
Unique Number: 895730
Due Date: 24 April 2025
QUESTTION 1 (10 Articles provided)
Article 1
1. Name of the Article, URL, News Agency, Date
Title: Environmental activists win against Shell in appeal court
URL: https://groundup.org.za/article/environmental-activists-win-against-shell-in-
appeal-court/
News Agency: GroundUp
Date: 1 September 2023
2. Summary
"This article recounts the Supreme Court of Appeal’s ruling in favour of environmental
activists who had opposed Shell’s seismic surveys off South Africa’s Wild Coast. The
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QUESTTION 1 (10 Articles provided)
Article 1
1. Name of the Article, URL, News Agency, Date
Title: TNPA puts out tender for LNG terminal Environmental Impact
Assessment
URL: https://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/tnpa-puts-out-tender-for-lng-
terminal-environmental-impact-assessment-2024-09-25
News Agency: Engineering News
Date: 25 September 2024
2. Summary
"Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has invited bids for conducting an EIA on
a proposed Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminal at the Port of Ngqura. The article
discusses project objectives to fortify South Africa’s gas infrastructure and broaden
the national energy mix. It notes that the EIA will consider key environmental
aspects, including marine life, emissions, and community engagement. By initiating
the tender early, TNPA aims to adhere to legal protocols and ensure public
participation. Stakeholders emphasize the importance of risk assessments, climate
considerations, and transparent decision-making. The move aligns with government
efforts to stimulate economic growth through energy diversification."
3. Positive or Negative View of the EIA Process
"This article projects a positive outlook on the EIA process. TNPA’s preemptive step
in issuing the tender indicates both compliance with statutory requirements and
respect for environmental governance. The approach suggests a proactive stance in
addressing ecological risks before major infrastructural investments. By publicly
releasing the tender, TNPA reinforces transparency and stakeholder involvement,
traits typically viewed as beneficial in environmental assessments. Concerns remain
around potential LNG-related emissions and long-term sustainability, but the article
implies that robust EIA protocols—if executed thoroughly—could mitigate harm.
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Overall, the tone conveys confidence that the EIA framework can balance economic
imperatives with environmental safeguards."
4. Proposed Changes to the EIA Process
"I would enhance the EIA by incorporating a dedicated greenhouse gas analysis,
ensuring a thorough account of LNG’s carbon footprint and climate resilience. Early,
multilingual public participation meetings should be mandatory to engage local
communities effectively. Further, I would mandate an independent technical review
panel to evaluate the EIA’s scientific findings, thereby bolstering impartiality and data
reliability. Implementing mandatory follow-up audits every two years after project
commencement would help measure actual impacts against predicted outcomes.
Lastly, imposing strict legal remedies for non-compliance—such as fines or project
suspensions—would reinforce a culture of environmental responsibility throughout
the terminal’s operational lifespan."
Article 2
1. Name of the Article, URL, News Agency, Date
Title: Environmental activists win against Shell in appeal court
URL: https://groundup.org.za/article/environmental-activists-win-against-shell-
in-appeal-court/
News Agency: GroundUp
Date: 1 September 2023
2. Summary
"This article recounts the Supreme Court of Appeal’s ruling in favour of
environmental activists who had opposed Shell’s seismic surveys off South Africa’s
Wild Coast. The judgment highlights that Shell’s public consultation processes were
deemed inadequate, particularly concerning local communities’ cultural and spiritual
ties to the coastline. Activists argued that the EIA-related procedures did not
meaningfully involve or inform affected stakeholders. The court agreed, emphasising