Civil society and Dutch energy companies discussing coal mining
On the 25th of March 2010, Both ENDS organised a Political Café on the social and environmental effects of coal mining in developing countries. Matthews Hlabane of the Green Revolutionary Council was our special guest of the evening. Coming from the mining city of Witbank, South Africa, he could share his first hand experience on the devastating effects of coal mining.
According to Matthews Hlabane Witbank is aptly called 'Hell on Earth'. The coal mines started operating in 1894 and, although many of them have been closed for decades, environmental problems have been worsening ever since. Acidic water is contaminating ponds and underground streams leading into the Loskop Dam Nature Reserve and the Olifants River, affecting animals and communities downstream. Old mine shafts collapse, sulphuric gases rise from the ground and residue coal keeps burning underground. Matthews Hlabane pointed out that mining companies do not clean up the mess they make, but instead engage in window dressing by writing false environmental reports.
Four panellists joined Mathews Hlabane in the discussion. Roger Moody from the British NGO Mines and Communities said that if all the consequences of the use of coal for electricity along the supply chain would be factored in, coal would likely be ruled out from an economic perspective. He added that the World Bank, for instance, was advised to stop all its funding for coal mining in an influential report it commissioned, the Extractive Industries Review (2004). Marco Witschge member of the Dutch political party D66 and initiator of the Sustainability Platform of political parties responded. He said Dutch energy transition should be set at a much higher pace: by 2050 the Dutch energy mix should consist of 100% renewable energy. According to Marco Witschge governments should be clear and consistent in their plans for an energy transition. The issuing of permits for five new coal plants by the Dutch government sends out the wrong message.
On the issue of transparency and clarity Marga Edens, manager corporate social responsibility at the Dutch energy company Essent, joined in. She pointed out that only 6% of Essent's fuel mix comes from hard coal. Essent reports on the origin of coal and is critical towards its suppliers. Marga Edens calls for a solution across the supply chain: mining companies, governments and communities need to solve problems together. Janine de Vries of the Publish What You Pay coalition added that transparency by an individual company is not enough, the whole value chain should be made transparent.
The debate closed with Mathews Hlabane stating he would like to see a moratorium on coal imports from South Africa until the past damage has been restored. Both ENDS is very pleased with the outcomes of the evening. "It was a very interesting day, allowing representatives of affected civil society and NGOs to discuss with Dutch energy companies. The great absentees were Dutch government representatives, who could have given us more background into Dutch policies and future plans", according to Anouk Frank, policy officer at Both ENDS.
For more information on the Political Café or on coal mining in developing countries please contact Tim Senden.
Read more about this subject
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Blog / 15 April 2024
The year of truth: EU Member States urged to combat deforestation
The EU is the world's largest "importer of deforestation," due to the huge volumes of unsustainably produced soy, timber, palm oil, and other raw materials that EU member states import. After many years of delay, the European Parliament and the European Council passed a law in December 2023 to address this problem: The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). Both ENDS is part of a broad coalition of organizations that have been pushing for this European legislation. However, there is now a serious delay, and perhaps even postponement, of the law's implementation. Objections have been raised by a number of member states, who are sensitive to lobbying by certain business sectors and producer countries.
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News / 4 April 2024
EU ECA fossil fuel phase-out tracker reveals EU Member States’ lagging commitment to Paris Agreement goals in export credit policies
Our new report titled EU ECA fossil fuel phase-out tracker by Both ENDS, Counter Balance and Oil Change International sheds light on the concerning lack of harmony between EU Member States' export credit climate policies.
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Blog / 4 April 2024
If we women don't speak up, no one will speak for us
By Maaike Hendriks and Tamara MohrThis February women environmental defenders from around the world met each other in Indonesia. All these defenders face structural violence. GAGGA, the Global Alliance for Green and Gender Action, supports these women. This meeting in Indonesia provided a unique space for women, trans-, intersex and non-binary people who are often the subject of conversation but rarely have the opportunity to engage with each other and meet other defenders from around the world. For they are all amazingly knowledgeable, strong and resilient women whom we should take seriously.
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News / 2 April 2024
The Climate lawsuit against Shell
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News / 29 March 2024
Both ENDS visit Tweede Kamer to talk about destructiveness of dredging worldwide
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Read their plea
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News / 27 March 2024
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Press release / 25 March 2024
Dredging destruction; worldwide research into Dutch dredgers
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The Netherlands is providing billions of euros in support for dredging projects by Boskalis and Van Oord around the world. All of these projects are destroying human lives and the environment. The Dutch government’s policy to protect people and planet is failing systemically. And after twelve years of studies and talking, there are no real improvements. It is time for a thorough clean-up of government support for the dredging sector.
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Publication / 25 March 2024
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News / 19 March 2024
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News / 12 March 2024
Equality as a key for international trade
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Event / 12 March 2024
From Policy To Practice: Funding Locally-led Gender-Just Climate Action
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News / 6 March 2024
Inspire inclusion at Women's day!
Happy Women's Day!
Friday March 8th we celebrate a gender equal world; free of stereotypes, bias, and discrimination. Around the world women are powers of change. We proudly present you; the voices of the next generation of environmental leaders of the JWH initiative. All our grantees are driving change in the environmental sector and have a strong say about the inclusive world.
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News / 6 March 2024
Export Credit Agencies and development finance in the EU
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Press release / 4 March 2024
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Blog / 27 February 2024
Partners fighting for rights within natural resource exploration in Uganda
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Blog / 26 February 2024
Brumadinho: 5 years without justice
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Blog / 26 February 2024
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Blog / 26 February 2024
Impacts of the fossil fuel sector in Guanabara Bay
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News / 14 February 2024
Petition to protect the Saamaka people and the Amazon Forest
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News / 8 February 2024
The litmus test for the devastating race track in Lombok
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