On the 18 January 2024, the Environmental Lawyers Collective for Africa hosted an insightful webinar focused on the legal intricacies of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs).
The primary objective of the webinar was to provide a comprehensive understanding of the legal frameworks governing Environmental Impact Assessments in South Africa and Nigeria and some of the obstacles experienced by lawyers when undertaking these challenges.
The webinar featured:
- Melissa Groenink, (Natural Justice) an environmental lawyer with extensive experience in EIA regulations in South Africa.
- Michael Karipko, (Natural Justice) a practicing environmental lawyer known for his work in high-profile EIA litigations in Nigeria.
The session covered several crucial aspects of EIAs, with Michael Karipko emphasizing the role of the global North in establishing pollution-intensive industries in Africa and how African nations have sustained these issues by failing to create robust, transparent, and inclusive EIA processes. This was exemplified by the Abuja and Kano gas projects, a topic that resonated with lawyers from countries like Mozambique, Namibia, and Zimbabwe, which are also facing gas expansion challenges. The discussion highlighted the increasing relevance of gas development in Africa and included questions about public participation in EIAs, particularly within Nigeria’s legal framework.
Key themes explored were:
- Transparency and Inclusivity: Importance of creating robust EIA processes.
- Gas Projects: Impact of Abuja and Kano projects and relevance to other African countries.
- Public Participation: Enhancing public involvement in the EIA process.
- Legal Framework in Nigeria: Promoting transparency and addressing cross-border impacts.
- Emerging Trends and Best Practices: Recent court cases and international practices to improve EIAs.
Additional Resources
For those who missed the live session, a recording is available on NJ’s official YouTube channel.
Stay tuned for future webinars and events that continue to support environmental advocacy and legal education.
How to challenge defective Environmental Impact Assessments (Portuguese subtitles) (youtube.com)
