In a landmark ruling, the Western Cape High Court overturned an environmental authorisation for oil and gas drilling in an offshore block off the Cape coast, which had been granted to TotalEnergies and its joint-venture partner Shell, with state-owned PetroSA holding a minority share.
The judgment follows a challenge by civil society groups The Green Connection and Natural Justice, who argued that environmental and social risks were not properly assessed. The court found flaws in the Environmental Impact Assessment, including failure to assess the socio-economic consequences of a major oil spill on small-scale fishers and coastal communities reliant on these waters.
It also ruled the project overlooked coastal protection laws, inadequately considered climate impacts, and omitted potential cross-border harms. In addition, critical emergency plans for spills and blowouts were reportedly withheld from the public, hindering community participation.
The decision requires TotalEnergies to submit new studies addressing these gaps, make emergency plans publicly available, and open the process to further consultation before any drilling can be reconsidered.
Civil society groups celebrated the ruling as a victory for coastal communities.
WACOCA: People, Life, Style.