In May this year, the Department of Environmental Affairs in partnership with the Departments of Minerals Resources, Science and Technology, Water and Sanitation and Energy commissioned a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) for shale gas development that will be conducted as a science-based assessment to improve the government’s understanding of the risks and opportunities of shale gas development in South Africa. The team is supported by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) and the Council for Geosciences (CGS) along with over 70 of experts from academia, the private sector and NGOs.

As announced during its launch, the SEA will consider both exploration and production related activities and impacts of shale gas development, including the process of hydraulic fracturing, and will include an assessment of all material social, economic and biophysical risks and opportunities presented.

South Africa’s National Development Plan (NDP) outlines the vision for the country’s transition to an environmentally sustainable, climate-change resilient, low-carbon inclusive economy. As articulated in our National Integrated Resource Plan (NIRP), shale gas together with other energy sources, could form an integral part of this vision if found in sufficient deposits: with its ultimate aim being to support societal transformation, economic growth, energy security and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

Members of the media are invited to attend and cover the stakeholder workshop as per the details below.

Date:                Friday 13 November 2015
Time:                10:00 – 15:30
Venue:              Iziko Museum, 25 Queen Victoria Street, Gardens, Cape Town

NB: Members of the media are urged to RSVP with:

Ernest Mulibana – 082 263 7372 / EMulibana@environment.gov.za
Fhatuwani Siluna - 012 399 9986 / FSiluna@environment.gov.za


More information on the Strategic Environmental Assessment for shale gas development can be found on: http://seasgd.csir.co.za

For media queries, contact Albi Modise on 083 490 2871

ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS