French energy giant TotalEnergies has been dealt a major setback in South Africa after a court overturned government approval for a large-scale offshore gas project.
On 13 August, the Western Cape High Court invalidated the 2023 authorization granted by the South African Ministry of the Environment, which had allowed the company to explore a vast offshore block spanning about 10,000 square kilometres near Cape Town.
The ruling followed a legal challenge led by several environmental organisations, who argued the project posed serious risks to marine ecosystems.
Activists highlighted the vulnerability of marine species already under threat from climate change and human activity, warning that exploration could inflict lasting damage.
“They argued that the project posed considerable risks to marine wildlife, already weakened by global warming and human activities,” the court documents noted.
For environmental campaigners, the decision marks a landmark victory that could set a precedent for similar legal battles across Africa.
As many countries weigh the promise of energy-driven economic growth against the urgent need to protect fragile ecosystems, courts and civil society are playing an increasingly decisive role.
Campaigners say the verdict underlines the growing momentum behind environmental justice on the continent, where fossil fuel projects are being challenged with greater intensity.
TotalEnergies has yet to announce its response to the judgment. The company must now decide whether to appeal or reconsider its exploration ambitions in South African waters.
The case reflects the broader difficulties faced by international energy firms as they attempt to balance commercial interests with mounting environmental obligations. Across Africa and beyond, such projects are coming under heightened scrutiny, testing the industry’s ability to adapt to stricter legal and ecological standards.
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