PICKETERS from the South Durban Communities Environmental Alliance (SDCEA) protested outside the TotalEnergies filling station on Andrew Zondo Road on December 7 over what it called the latter’s ‘plot to steal the coastline’.

ALSO READ: Pollution fight sees SDCEA win ‘surprise’ award

The protest came after TotalEnergies forwarded an application to the government on September 5 for a production licence to develop gas fields off the southern coast of South Africa. SDCEA’s founder and director Desmond D’sa has said if energy companies are allowed to drill for gas offshore, it will have a negative impact on the environment. The protest followed an open letter written to TotalEnergies by Bloom and The Green Connection on October 17, which raised concerns about the plans to explore for gas offshore.

“Opening South African waters for oil and gas exploration, with the perspective of extracting nine billion barrels of oil and gas over the next few decades, constitutes a risk for South African citizens and for humanity that cannot be ignored,” read the letter.

The waters where production is planned to be carried out are of diverse marine biodiversity, and according to Bloom and the Green Connection, it will be at the expense of wildlife and small-scale fishers’ livelihoods.
In response, Patrick Pouyanné, chairman and CEO of TotalEnergies, said after the application was made, an environmental and societal impact assessment was initiated, in accordance with South African regulations.

“This assessment will provide a detailed description of the project’s economic, social and environmental impacts, the measures planned to preserve the environment, and the related social and economic benefits. A survey has been launched to map the marine species, including, potentially, marine mammals, to model the potential impact of production activities and to define any measures to be taken,” said Pouyanné.

He also said the project will contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions as it is expected to supply gas to the South African domestic market.

“South Africa’s economy is still predominantly based on coal, which accounts for 80% of its current electricity generation. The use of gas to replace coal combustion for electricity generation halves CO2 emissions and drastically reduces air pollution. The atmosphere will benefit from the avoided emissions made possible by this gas development project,” said Pouyanné.

DID YOU KNOW?

Click on the words highlighted in red to read more on this and related topics. To receive news links via WhatsApp or Telegram, send an invite to 061 694 6047.

The South Coast Sun is also on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest – why not join us there?

Do you have more information pertaining to this story? Feel free to let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or you can contact our newsroom at 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist.

(Comments posted on this issue may be used for publication in the Sun)