Three civil society groups have taken the South African government to court over its plan for new coal-fired power, which they say threatens people’s right to an environment not harmful to health. 
South Africa has since 2007 been experiencing an acute power crisis resulting in widespread rolling blackouts as supply falls behind demand, threatening to destabilise the national grid. 
The country already has 15 coal plants with a nominal capacity of more than 38 000 megawatts (MW) and is the world’s 12th biggest emitter of greenhouse gases.
The intention to build 1 500 MW of new coal capacity is contained in the government’s Integrated Resource Plan, a 2019 document laying out the energy mix up to 2030. 
At the United Nations COP26 climate summit this month South Africa secured US$8.5 billion of financing from wealthy nations to speed up its shift from coal.
Lawyers for the three groups – groundWork, the African Climate Alliance and Vukani Environmental Justice Movement in Action – wrote to Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe and energy regulator Nersa in September demanding that the plan for 1 500 MW of new coal capacity be abandoned.
The lawyers said in a statement on Wednesday that the government had not responded to their “letter of demand” and that litigation had now been launched in the high court.” 
In 2017, <a href="https://endcoal.org/about/">Endcoal</a>, environmental, social justice and health advocates, reported that coal is the single biggest contributor to anthropogenic climate change. 
They said the burning of coal is responsible for 46 per cent of carbon dioxide emissions worldwide and accounts for 72 per cent of total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the electricity sector.
More: Reuters

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South Africa Sued Over Its Plan For New Coal-fired Power

ZANU PF supporters in the United Kingdom (UK) brought trolleys of high-end whisky to Glasgow, Scotland, on Sunday as they celebrated the arrival of President Emmerson Mnangagwa who is set to attend a global climate summit.
Mnangagwa’s visit to Glasgow was the first visit to the UK by a Zimbabwe head of state in 25 years after Britain, other Western countries and the US imposed sanctions on the country over alleged human rights abuses and failure to make political and economic reforms.
In pictures posted by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Nick Mangwana on Twitter, ZANU PF supporters, wearing the trademark Mnangagwa scarves, were seen pushing trolleys of expensive beers. Mangwana tweeted:
<blockquote>
We are ready, Viva Zanu PF, welcoming our President Cde Mnangagwa in Scotland, UK. COP26 we are ready, Murambwi we are ready, Viva ZANU PF Viva.
Tonight (Sunday) there is a massive welcome party held in honour of President Mnangagwa. 
Glasgow is the place to be as Zimbabweans from all corners of the UK attend this shindig and welcome their President.
The party will spill over to the streets tomorrow. In the UK? Join the party.
</blockquote>
Mnangagwa, who is accompanied by over 100 people for the COP26 climate summit, told party supporters before his travel that he expected to meet UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Part of his entourage includes ministers, senior government officials, ZANU PF members, friends, and family. The delegation is twice the size that of South Africa.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/booze-partying-for-ed-zanu-pf-in-glasgow/">NewZimbabwe.com</a></h4>

Beer, Partying For Mnangagwa, ZANU PF In UK

President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his delegation on Sunday morning left for Glasgow, Scotland to attend the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of Parties (COP26) meeting.
He will join other world leaders who will participate, along with tens of thousands of negotiators, government representatives, businesses and citizens, for 12 days of talks.
President Mnangagwa was seen off at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport by his deputy, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, ZANU PF Second Secretary and former Vice President Kembo Mohadi and service chiefs among other senior Government officials.
In his absence, VP Chiwenga will be Acting President.
The COP26 conference, which starts on Sunday, is where world leaders are being asked to promise more ambitious cuts in greenhouse gases to prevent greater temperature rises.
According <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-59067310">to BBC</a>, leaders from 120 countries will be there, but Russian President Vladimir Putin, China’s Xi Jinping and Jair Bolsonaro from Brazil are not coming, pending last-minute changes of heart.
Those three countries are among the biggest polluters and the world needs them to commit to action.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/just-in-president-leaves-for-cop-26-meeting/">Chronicle</a></h4>

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