Latest news with #GoldmanEnvironmentalPrize
Arabian Post
02-06-2025
- Politics
- Arabian Post
Soweto Communities Demand Swift Action on Green Energy Transition
A community-led dialogue in Soweto has intensified calls for a people-first approach to South Africa's energy transition, as environmental activists and residents urge the government to prioritise frontline communities in climate policy decisions. Held at the Soweto Career Centre on 27 May to mark Africa Day, the 'Scamtho' event—organised by Earthlife Africa Johannesburg—brought together over 100 participants from local organisations. The gathering served as a platform for residents to voice concerns about the environmental and health impacts of fossil fuel dependency and to advocate for a just transition that centres on inclusive economic development. Ulrich Steenkamp, Programmes Officer at Earthlife Africa, emphasised the need to amplify the voices of those most affected by fossil fuel extraction. 'The purpose of the event is to put more emphasis on the need to place frontline communities at the centre of climate action and amplify community voices who are directly affected by fossil fuel extraction and the economic gap,' he stated. ADVERTISEMENT Speakers highlighted the disproportionate burden borne by communities exposed to pollution and environmental degradation. Mme Martha Mokate from the Soweto Electricity Crisis Community stressed the importance of community-led planning and participation in local government activities to prepare for the just transition. 'We must move away from fossil fuel energy because it causes pollution and ultimately climate change,' she asserted. The dialogue underscored the necessity of creating decent job opportunities that benefit local communities. Thabisile Mashinini of the New Church NPO remarked, 'It is critical that we address climate change, promote social justice and inclusivity. This is why we want a just transition because it involves greening the economy in an inclusive manner by creating decent job opportunities which benefit local communities and leave no one behind.' Dumazile Ntsele, also from the New Church NPO, highlighted the broader implications of the transition. 'The fight against climate change is one of the main challenges facing the planet today. The impact of extraction in our continent is environmental damage, climate change and extreme health risks, which affect many of our communities. The just transition will ensure that the shift to a green economy benefits African nations,' she noted. Earthlife Africa has a longstanding history of environmental advocacy in South Africa. The organisation gained prominence for its role in halting a controversial nuclear deal between South Africa and Russia in 2017, a victory that earned its director, Makoma Lekalakala, the Goldman Environmental Prize in 2018. Earthlife Africa continues to champion community involvement in environmental decision-making processes.
Daily Maverick
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
Makhanda High Court orders immediate halt to illegal Wild Coast building
The court order follows an April 2023 knobkerrie assault on activist and Goldman Prize winner Nonhle Mbuthuma and fellow women residents while attempting to halt building work inside the protected coastal zone. Two years after a group of women were allegedly assaulted on a Wild Coast beach, the high court has granted an interdict which bars the construction of any further illegal structures along this protected environmental landscape. In a ruling earlier this month, the Eastern Cape Division of the High Court in Makhanda ordered that local resident Nero Dlamini (or his agents or contractors) be restrained and interdicted from constructing any new buildings within 1km of the sea near Sigidi village. The order, granted on 8 May 2025 by Acting Judge V Sangoni, follows a heated confrontation about the erection of illegal structures close to the beach almost two years ago. Local activist Nonhle Mbuthuma (joint winner of the 2024 Goldman Environmental Prize) and fellow women residents were allegedly beaten with knobkerries while attempting to halt building work on a new structure inside the protected coastal zone in April 2023. Mbuthuma has played a central role in opposing plans for dune mining and a new toll road along this northern section of the Wild Coast. Shortly after the confrontation, Mbuthuma secured a Rule Nisi (interim interdict) from the high court to prevent further building close to the beach at Sigidi that was in conflict with Transkei Environmental Conservation Decree 9 (which prohibits construction of any buildings without a special permit). In the most recent ruling, the court also ordered Dlamini to rehabilitate any cleared land. The Sheriff of the Court was also directed to dismantle any illegal structures, with the assistance of the SA Police Service if required. Though the application was opposed, Dlamini and his legal representatives did not appear at the latest hearing. DM
Arab News
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
‘No dumping ground': Tunisia activist wins award over waste scandal
TUNIS: Tunisian environmentalist Semia Labidi Gharbi, awarded a global prize for her role exposing a major waste scandal, has a message for wealthy nations: developing countries are 'no dumping ground.' Gharbi was among the first to speak out when Italy shipped more than 280 containers of waste to the North African country in 2020. The cargo was initially labelled as recyclable plastic scrap, but customs officials found hazardous household waste — banned under Tunisian law. 'It's true, we are developing countries,' Gharbi said in an interview with AFP. 'But we are not a dumping ground.' The 57-year-old was among seven environmentalists from different countries handed this year's Goldman Environmental Prize — commonly known as the 'Green Nobel' — in California last week. "The environment knows no boundaries or political borders." Semia Gharbi, 2025 #GoldmanPrize winner from Tunisia, shares a powerful message at the Goldman Environmental Prize ceremony. Learn more about her work as an environmental leader: — The Goldman Environmental Prize (@goldmanprize) April 30, 2025 The Goldman committee said her grassroots activism helped force Italy to take the waste back in February 2022. Gharbi 'helped spearhead a campaign that challenged a corrupt waste trafficking scheme between Italy and Tunisia,' the Goldman committee said. And her endeavours ultimately led to the return of 6,000 tons of 'illegally exported household waste back to Italy,' the US-based organization added. The scandal took on national proportions in Tunisia and saw the sacking of then environment minister Mustapha Aroui, who was sentenced to three years in prison. A total of 26 people, including customs officials, were prosecuted. Yet the waste remained at the port of Sousse for more than two years, with Tunisian rights groups criticizing the authorities' inaction as Italy failed to meet deadlines to take it back. Global waste trade often sees industrialized nations offload rubbish in poorer countries with limited means to handle it. 'What is toxic for developed countries is toxic for us too,' said Gharbi. 'We also have the right to live in a healthy environment.' She added that while richer countries can manage their own waste, developing ones like Tunisia have 'limited capacity.' The Goldman committee said Gharbi's campaigning helped drive reforms in the European Union. 'Her efforts spurred policy shifts within the EU, which has now tightened its procedures and regulations for waste shipments abroad,' it said. Gharbi, who has spent 25 years campaigning on environmental threats to health, said she never set out to turn the scandal into a symbol. 'But now that it has become one, so much the better,' she said with a smile. She hopes the award will raise the profile of Tunisian civil society, and said groups she works with across Africa see the recognition as their own. 'The prize is theirs too,' she said, adding it would help amplify advocacy and 'convey messages.'
France 24
02-05-2025
- Politics
- France 24
'No dumping ground': Tunisia activist wins award over waste scandal
Gharbi was among the first to speak out when Italy shipped more than 280 containers of waste to the North African country in 2020. The cargo was initially labelled as recyclable plastic scrap, but customs officials found hazardous household waste -- banned under Tunisian law. "It's true, we are developing countries," Gharbi said in an interview with AFP. "But we are not a dumping ground." The 57-year-old was among seven environmentalists from different countries handed this year's Goldman Environmental Prize -- commonly known as the "Green Nobel" -- in California last week. The Goldman committee said her grassroots activism helped force Italy to take the waste back in February 2022. Gharbi "helped spearhead a campaign that challenged a corrupt waste trafficking scheme between Italy and Tunisia," the Goldman committee said. And her endeavours ultimately led to the return of 6,000 tonnes of "illegally exported household waste back to Italy", the US-based organisation added. The scandal took on national proportions in Tunisia and saw the sacking of then environment minister Mustapha Aroui, who was sentenced to three years in prison. A total of 26 people, including customs officials, were prosecuted. Yet the waste remained at the port of Sousse for more than two years, with Tunisian rights groups criticising the authorities' inaction as Italy failed to meet deadlines to take it back. Limited capacity Global waste trade often sees industrialised nations offload rubbish in poorer countries with limited means to handle it. "What is toxic for developed countries is toxic for us too," said Gharbi. "We also have the right to live in a healthy environment." She added that while richer countries can manage their own waste, developing ones like Tunisia have "limited capacity". The Goldman committee said Gharbi's campaigning helped drive reforms in the European Union. "Her efforts spurred policy shifts within the EU, which has now tightened its procedures and regulations for waste shipments abroad," it said. Gharbi, who has spent 25 years campaigning on environmental threats to health, said she never set out to turn the scandal into a symbol. "But now that it has become one, so much the better," she said with a smile. She hopes the award will raise the profile of Tunisian civil society, and said groups she works with across Africa see the recognition as their own. "The prize is theirs too," she said, adding it would help amplify advocacy and "convey messages".
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
'No dumping ground': Tunisia activist wins award over waste scandal
Tunisian environmentalist Semia Labidi Gharbi, awarded a global prize for her role exposing a major waste scandal, has a message for wealthy nations: developing countries are "no dumping ground". Gharbi was among the first to speak out when Italy shipped more than 280 containers of waste to the North African country in 2020. The cargo was initially labelled as recyclable plastic scrap, but customs officials found hazardous household waste -- banned under Tunisian law. "It's true, we are developing countries," Gharbi said in an interview with AFP. "But we are not a dumping ground." The 57-year-old was among seven environmentalists from different countries handed this year's Goldman Environmental Prize -- commonly known as the "Green Nobel" -- in California last week. The Goldman committee said her grassroots activism helped force Italy to take the waste back in February 2022. Gharbi "helped spearhead a campaign that challenged a corrupt waste trafficking scheme between Italy and Tunisia," the Goldman committee said. And her endeavours ultimately led to the return of 6,000 tonnes of "illegally exported household waste back to Italy", the US-based organisation added. The scandal took on national proportions in Tunisia and saw the sacking of then environment minister Mustapha Aroui, who was sentenced to three years in prison. A total of 26 people, including customs officials, were prosecuted. Yet the waste remained at the port of Sousse for more than two years, with Tunisian rights groups criticising the authorities' inaction as Italy failed to meet deadlines to take it back. - Limited capacity - Global waste trade often sees industrialised nations offload rubbish in poorer countries with limited means to handle it. "What is toxic for developed countries is toxic for us too," said Gharbi. "We also have the right to live in a healthy environment." She added that while richer countries can manage their own waste, developing ones like Tunisia have "limited capacity". The Goldman committee said Gharbi's campaigning helped drive reforms in the European Union. "Her efforts spurred policy shifts within the EU, which has now tightened its procedures and regulations for waste shipments abroad," it said. Gharbi, who has spent 25 years campaigning on environmental threats to health, said she never set out to turn the scandal into a symbol. "But now that it has become one, so much the better," she said with a smile. She hopes the award will raise the profile of Tunisian civil society, and said groups she works with across Africa see the recognition as their own. "The prize is theirs too," she said, adding it would help amplify advocacy and "convey messages". iba/dv
