Earthlife Africa versus the Pebble Bed Modular Reactor: A Battle for Governance for Sustainability and Informed Decision Making in South Africa

摘要

Governance for sustainability includes issues pertaining to openness in decision making and right of access to information for both government and the people. Earthlife Africa in South Africa is a non-governmental organisation (NGO) that has fought the battle for governance for sustainability. Its court battles to obtain information about the pebble bed modular reactor from Eskom, a public company, is a study in how players react to the right of access to information and public participation. The courts in South Africa were initially reluctant to make a decision and followed a legalistic approach. They did not comment on the possible impacts of nuclear energy. Eventually Earthlife Africa managed to obtain an order from the Supreme Court of Appeal to have access to information. In other matters the courts are more outspoken regarding the role of the courts and government in the protection of the environment. In this case study it is argued that a partnership role should be introduced in which civil society, government, and private industry ensure that the environment is protected. Governance for sustainability should rest on four pillars, the environment, social, and economic considerations that are imbedded within governance (the fourth pillar), not only by government but also by civil society.