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Environmental Law

Our practice has extensive experience in all aspects of environmental legislation and we advise clients from a myriad of industries and across both the private and public sector. 

Environmental Law Services

Our practice has extensive experience in relation to permitting, compliance, enforcement, due diligence investigation, deal advice, administrative appeals and review proceedings in relation to:

  • Mining and mineral reprocessing.
  • Energy project developments, including nuclear, renewable, thermal, coal and LPG.
  • Climate change and carbon regulation.
  • Biodiversity and conservation, including bioprospecting, biodiversity offsets and protected areas.
  • Pollution and contamination.
  • Waste management, including recycling and treatment.
  • Pharmaceuticals, medicines and medical devices.
  • Health and safety.
  • Manufacturing, including cement and paper and pulp.
  • The petrochemical industry across the operational value chain.
  • Foodstuffs, cosmetics and disinfectants.

Environmental Law Brochures

Environmental Law
Environmental Law

Services

Environmental Law Services

Our practice has extensive experience in relation to permitting, compliance, enforcement, due diligence investigation, deal advice, administrative appeals and review proceedings in relation to:

  • Mining and mineral reprocessing.
  • Energy project developments, including nuclear, renewable, thermal, coal and LPG.
  • Climate change and carbon regulation.
  • Biodiversity and conservation, including bioprospecting, biodiversity offsets and protected areas.
  • Pollution and contamination.
  • Waste management, including recycling and treatment.
  • Pharmaceuticals, medicines and medical devices.
  • Health and safety.
  • Manufacturing, including cement and paper and pulp.
  • The petrochemical industry across the operational value chain.
  • Foodstuffs, cosmetics and disinfectants.

Brochures

Environmental Law Brochures

Environmental Law
Environmental Law

Environmental Lawyers

Our Enviornmental Law team practice has extensive experience in relation to permitting, compliance, enforcement, due diligence investigation, deal advice, administrative appeals and review proceedings.

Our Environmental Lawyers
PRACTICE HEAD
Allan Reid

Allan Reid

Director +27 (0)11 562 1222allan.reid@cdhlegal.com

Our Work

Featured

City of Cape Town: Establishment of a regional landfill site
Environmental Law

City of Cape Town: Establishment of a regional landfill site

Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr advised the City of Cape Town on a challenge to the authorisation of the establishment of a regional landfill site.

All

Exxaro Resources (Exxaro)

Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr is representing Cennergi Holdings (Cennergi), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Exxaro, the diversified mining and renewable energy company listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and one of the largest black-empowered diversified mining companies in South Africa.  Our South Africa-based environment team is advising Cennergi in respect of its Lephalale photovoltaic (PV) project, which entails the development, financing, construction and operation of a circa 80MW PV plant that will supply the Grootegeluk mine with energy under a long-term power purchase agreement.  

Royal Bafokeng Nation (RBN)

Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr represented RBN, the traditionally-governed community of 150,000 people living in 29 villages and owning 1,200 square kilometres of land in the North West Province of South Africa.  Our South Africa-based environment team was instructed by RBN to advise on the necessary documentation requested from MBW Engineers by RBN and undertake a legal review of the documentation regarding public participation and assess whether the Magalies Water Board obtained the requisite consent from landowners, specifically the traditional community in the area.

ArcelorMittal South Africa (AMSA)

Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr is representing AMSA, the leading South African based steel manufacturing company which seeks to achieve the net-zero carbon ambition.  Our South Africa-based environment team is currently advising AMSA on a process to develop two 100MW renewable energy projects, planned for Gauteng and the Western Cape, which should be finalised during 2023/2024. The two 100MW renewable energy plants are intended to supply existing facilities within AMSA, using available ArcelorMittal South Africa land.

Richard Bay Gas Power 2 (Richards Bay)

Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr is representing Richard Bay, the leading developer of proposed South Africa-based gas-fired power plants.  Our South Africa-based environment team is advising Richards Bay on the judicial review application brought by Groundwork Trust, a non-profit environmental justice organisation working primarily in South Africa, and South Durban Community Environmental Alliance against the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, the Chief Director: Integrated Environmental Authorisations Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment and Richards Bay for granting an environmental authorisation a gas facility with a maximum export capacity of 400MW to be developed by Richards Bay.  

Old Mutual (OMLACSA)

Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr is representing OMLACSA, the leading South Africa-based institutional investor in renewable energy companies.  Our South Africa-based environment team is advising OMLACSA in respect of its commitment to fund renewable energy projects acquired by Red Rocket South Africa (Red Rocket), comprising a loan to be advanced upon selection as preferred bidder for costs to be incurred before financial close and development funding to be advanced post preferred bidder selection.  

Calodex

Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr is representing Calodex, the leading South Africa-based company involved in waste management and development of new, renewable energy project utilising latest technologies.  Our South Africa-based environment team advised Calodex on an application to obtain consent from the Minister responsible for mining and minerals to sterilise the minerals on certain properties as required under section 53 of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA) in order for Calodex to construct a solar photovoltaic facility.

RMB Corvest (RMB)

Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr represented RMB, the leading South Africa-based private equity company.  Our South Africa-based environment team advised RMB in relation the  acquisition of a 65 per cent equity stake in WrapSA, a South Africa-based  pharmaceutical manufacturing and packing company, via the purchase of 65 per cent of its issued shares.  We assisted with the due diligence process and advised RMB on the relevant environmental and health and safety risks associated with the transaction.

Energy Infrastructure Management Services (EIMS)

CDH represented EIMS, one of the leaders in the renewable energy space in South Africa, with 11 total renewable energy facilities across South Africa. Our South Africa-based environment team advised EIMS in relation to the legal rights and obligations in relation to six of its renewable energy projects. Our advice was guided by the duties of care as provided for under various environmental laws in South Africa as well as the polluter pays principle, and required control measures prescribed in relation to grazing capacity of land, rehabilitation provisions and fire prevention provisions at both national and municipal level.  

Engie South Africa

Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr is representing Engie, the leading global energy player.  Our South Africa-based environment team is advising Engie as the purchaser in the proposed sale and the proposed-on sale of the entire shareholding interest in the target or by certain of the target's wholly-owned subsidiaries of their entire shareholding in various of the target's wholly-owned subsidiaries to Engie.

Our Work

City of Cape Town: Establishment of a regional landfill site
Environmental Law

City of Cape Town: Establishment of a regional landfill site

Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr advised the City of Cape Town on a challenge to the authorisation of the establishment of a regional landfill site.

Exxaro Resources (Exxaro)

Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr is representing Cennergi Holdings (Cennergi), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Exxaro, the diversified mining and renewable energy company listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and one of the largest black-empowered diversified mining companies in South Africa.  Our South Africa-based environment team is advising Cennergi in respect of its Lephalale photovoltaic (PV) project, which entails the development, financing, construction and operation of a circa 80MW PV plant that will supply the Grootegeluk mine with energy under a long-term power purchase agreement.  

Royal Bafokeng Nation (RBN)

Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr represented RBN, the traditionally-governed community of 150,000 people living in 29 villages and owning 1,200 square kilometres of land in the North West Province of South Africa.  Our South Africa-based environment team was instructed by RBN to advise on the necessary documentation requested from MBW Engineers by RBN and undertake a legal review of the documentation regarding public participation and assess whether the Magalies Water Board obtained the requisite consent from landowners, specifically the traditional community in the area.

ArcelorMittal South Africa (AMSA)

Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr is representing AMSA, the leading South African based steel manufacturing company which seeks to achieve the net-zero carbon ambition.  Our South Africa-based environment team is currently advising AMSA on a process to develop two 100MW renewable energy projects, planned for Gauteng and the Western Cape, which should be finalised during 2023/2024. The two 100MW renewable energy plants are intended to supply existing facilities within AMSA, using available ArcelorMittal South Africa land.

Richard Bay Gas Power 2 (Richards Bay)

Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr is representing Richard Bay, the leading developer of proposed South Africa-based gas-fired power plants.  Our South Africa-based environment team is advising Richards Bay on the judicial review application brought by Groundwork Trust, a non-profit environmental justice organisation working primarily in South Africa, and South Durban Community Environmental Alliance against the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, the Chief Director: Integrated Environmental Authorisations Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment and Richards Bay for granting an environmental authorisation a gas facility with a maximum export capacity of 400MW to be developed by Richards Bay.  

Old Mutual (OMLACSA)

Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr is representing OMLACSA, the leading South Africa-based institutional investor in renewable energy companies.  Our South Africa-based environment team is advising OMLACSA in respect of its commitment to fund renewable energy projects acquired by Red Rocket South Africa (Red Rocket), comprising a loan to be advanced upon selection as preferred bidder for costs to be incurred before financial close and development funding to be advanced post preferred bidder selection.  

Calodex

Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr is representing Calodex, the leading South Africa-based company involved in waste management and development of new, renewable energy project utilising latest technologies.  Our South Africa-based environment team advised Calodex on an application to obtain consent from the Minister responsible for mining and minerals to sterilise the minerals on certain properties as required under section 53 of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA) in order for Calodex to construct a solar photovoltaic facility.

RMB Corvest (RMB)

Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr represented RMB, the leading South Africa-based private equity company.  Our South Africa-based environment team advised RMB in relation the  acquisition of a 65 per cent equity stake in WrapSA, a South Africa-based  pharmaceutical manufacturing and packing company, via the purchase of 65 per cent of its issued shares.  We assisted with the due diligence process and advised RMB on the relevant environmental and health and safety risks associated with the transaction.

Energy Infrastructure Management Services (EIMS)

CDH represented EIMS, one of the leaders in the renewable energy space in South Africa, with 11 total renewable energy facilities across South Africa. Our South Africa-based environment team advised EIMS in relation to the legal rights and obligations in relation to six of its renewable energy projects. Our advice was guided by the duties of care as provided for under various environmental laws in South Africa as well as the polluter pays principle, and required control measures prescribed in relation to grazing capacity of land, rehabilitation provisions and fire prevention provisions at both national and municipal level.  

Engie South Africa

Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr is representing Engie, the leading global energy player.  Our South Africa-based environment team is advising Engie as the purchaser in the proposed sale and the proposed-on sale of the entire shareholding interest in the target or by certain of the target's wholly-owned subsidiaries of their entire shareholding in various of the target's wholly-owned subsidiaries to Engie.

Environmental Law News

More news
17 Aug 2023 Article

Increasing climate change litigation risks: A focus on the private sector

In the recently published Global Climate Litigation Report: 2023 (Report), the United Nations Environment Programme provides valuable insight into the emerging trends surrounding climate change litigation. The importance of the increasing prevalence of these cases is well-highlighted in the Report, which references a “ body of legal precedent ” that is “ forming an increasingly well-defined field of law ”. The facts, arguments and findings surrounding the cases will therefore collectively serve as a reference point for local litigants seeking judicial intervention in matters involving climate policy, law or science.
27 Oct 2023 Video

Companies to take heed of mounting climate change litigation risks, advises Alecia Pienaar, Counsel in our Environmental Law practice during a eNCA interview.
9 Oct 2023 Article

International Comparative Legal Guide: Renewable Energy 2024

Tessa Brewis, Margo-Ann Werner, Jerome Brink, and Alecia Pienaar have made written contribution to the South Africa chapter in the fourth edition of the ICLG: Renewable Energy 2024publication. 

Recognition

2019 - 2023

Chambers Global

Chambers Global 2021 - 2023 ranked our Environmental practice in Band 3. From 2019-2020 we were ranked in Band 2.

2022

Legal 500 Green Guide EMEA

The Legal 500 Green Guide EMEA 2022 recognized the firm for leading work in climate change and sustainability

Ranked Practitioners

Chambers Global

Chambers Global 2021 - 2023 ranked our Environmental practice in Band 3. From 2019-2020 we were ranked in Band 2.

Legal 500 Green Guide EMEA

The Legal 500 Green Guide EMEA 2022 recognized the firm for leading work in climate change and sustainability

Ranked Practitioners

Happy Clients

"The team's services are highly professional."

Chambers Global 2022

"The personnel have the right level of expertise in different matters."

Chambers Global 2022

"The team communicates well and responds to queries quickly."

Chambers Global 2022

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