Full Breakdown
South Africa’s Proposed Gas Bill Faces Opposition from Eco-Justice Group The Green Connection
8/24/2026, 11:50:31 PM
Core Event: Call for Withdrawal of the Gas Bill
On August 7, 2026, The Green Connection submitted comments to Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Electricity and Energy, urging the withdrawal of the proposed Gas Bill (B6 2026). The organization argues the legislation would repeal the Gas Act of 2001, lock the country into long-term fossil-fuel infrastructure, expose electricity consumers to volatile international gas prices, and weaken safeguards for communities and landowners.
Background & Context
South Africa, a signatory to the Paris Agreement, enacted the Climate Change Act in 2023, committing to net-zero emissions. The current Gas Act of 2001 provides procedural protections such as fair-process requirements, local-language advertising, and mandatory environmental rehabilitation. The proposed Bill seeks to modernise the natural-gas sector, expand NERSA’s remit, and grant Minister of Electricity and Energy Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa strategic powers, including a gas Master Plan and authority over land access.
Key Concerns Raised by The Green Connection
Climate Risks
- The Bill treats liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a “clean” or “transition” fuel despite methane’s high global-warming potential—about 80 times that of CO2 over 20 years.
- No requirements are included to monitor, report, or limit methane leaks, and licences could be issued for up to 25 years, potentially extending beyond South Africa’s net-zero target.
Financial Risks
- Imported LNG is traded on global markets, making electricity tariffs vulnerable to price volatility. Higher gas prices could be passed on to households already facing tariff increases.
Community and Land-Rights Concerns
- Repealing the Gas Act would remove protections for fair procedures, public notification, and environmental rehabilitation, leaving many matters to ministerial discretion.
- The Bill grants the Minister authority to set licensing requirements, issue exemptions, and decide on land expropriation, potentially bypassing public hearings and compensation provisions.
- Traditional and Khoi-San communities, as well as small-scale fishers, are not adequately considered in the socio-economic impact assessment, raising fears of adverse effects on marine ecosystems and livelihoods.
Legislative and Procedural Issues
- The Bill makes no reference to the Climate Change Act, emissions targets, or the just-transition framework.
- The cited Final Socio-Economic Impact Assessment relates to an earlier version of the legislation, contains incorrect clause numbers, and predates key climate-policy developments.
Official Statements & Responses
Lisa Makaula, advocacy lead for The Green Connection, emphasized that “the Bill makes no reference to the Climate Change Act, South Africa’s emissions targets or the just transition,” and warned that classifying LNG as a transition fuel ignores methane’s climate impact.
Verbatim Quote
“The Bill makes no reference to the Climate Change Act, South Africa’s emissions targets or the just transition,” — Lisa Makaula, advocacy lead at The Green Connection
What’s Next
The Green Connection is urging Parliament to refer the Bill to the National Council of Provinces and the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders, and to hold public hearings in affected coastal provinces. The organization recommends amendments: alignment with the Climate Change Act, mandatory methane monitoring, reinforced public-participation requirements, protection of customary land rights, fair compensation for expropriation, and funding for decommissioning and environmental rehabilitation.
