Originally published on 18 March 2022
A court decision in South Africa said air pollution was against people's constitutional rights. This decision was a big win for people fighting for a cleaner environment.
What was the problem?
People living in the Mpumalanga Highveld dealt with bad air pollution, which harmed their health and well-being. Even though there was a plan to manage air quality in the area, the government's efforts were not enough and residents were still exposed to harmful air.
How did they solve it?
Environmental groups, like groundWork and the Vukani Environmental Justice Movement in Action, took the government to court, asking for air quality rules to be enforced. With help from the Centre for Environmental Rights, they said the government's inaction went against the communities’ constitutional right to a healthy environment. The Pretoria High Court ruled in their favour, ordering the government to enforce rules to improve air quality in the Highveld.
So how did they do it?
- The groups started the #DeadlyAir court case in 2019, challenging the government's failure to fix air pollution.
- They showed evidence of health impacts on communities, especially in the Highveld Priority Area.
- The court said that the Environment Minister had delayed necessary actions and ordered the government to immediately start the air quality management plan.
- This ruling set an example for holding the government responsible for air quality and protecting people's rights to clean air.
Acknowledgements:
Original article written by: Earth Justice
Photograph supplied by: Twitter/@CentreEnvRights
Get your community involved
Is there a community-driven group or caring business in your area? A dedicated group of committed people can effectively solve local problems.
Think about starting or joining community groups like a street WhatsApp group, residents' association, or community policing forum (CPF) to get help and to stay informed and involved in local issues.
How to set up a community group
How to start a residents' association
How to set up a community policing forum
How to set up a neighbourhood watch
How to organise community action
How to use media to create pressure for change
Know your rights – how local government works
It’s important to understand how your local government works so that you can work with them to support what they are doing while your community continues to keep them accountable and deliver services on time. Remember you have a constitutional right to many of the services provided by local government, as well as to accountability and transparency, wherever you live and regardless of how much you earn. It is also where money collected from taxes and rates goes.
George
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