CER launches a Report on Commercial Interests and Transparency in Environmental Governance

Since 2010, the Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) has submitted 240 PAIA requests for records on environmental governance and management. These requests were directed at various national departments, municipalities, parastatals and private companies, often on behalf of communities who are living in areas affected by polluting industries.

On average, fewer than 29% of PAIA requests resulted in records being released during their reporting period, with a mere 22.2% being released from January to August 2014.

According to CER, "In the past two years we have also seen increased deference by government departments to the wishes of the business sector regarding disclosure, and a perceived duty to protect all information relevant to private enterprises from the public and particularly public interest groups".

Now, the organization has launched the report titled, Money Talks: Commercial Interests and Transparency in Environmental Governance, November 2014.

The CER has recommended that there should be an online, open database of all mining rights and environmental licenses. According to Melissa Fourie, Executive Director of the Centre for Environmental Rights, “such online registers would reduce the burden of work on government to process PAIA requests, and promote greater compliance with licences by companies who are currently hiding behind this veil of secrecy. But more importantly, it would help affected communities to realise and defend their Constitutional right to an environment not harmful to health or well-being”.

This would prevent people from having to resort to PAIA (or legal action) to get information that is needed to hold the companies to account over pollution and environmental impact, and which should be in the public domain in any case.

Download the report here: Money Talks: Commercial Interests and Transparency in Environmental Governance, November 2014

For more information visit the CER’s website.