The CSIR is spearheading a strategic environmental assessment (SEA) for the Northern Cape’s initiative to produce green hydrogen within a proposed special economic zone (SEZ) and a new port at Boegoebaai, alongside other infrastructural developments.
The SEA will encompass the proposed port, the SEZ adjacent to it, and the broader Namakwa region. A local-scale SEA will evaluate the sustainability of the port and SEZ development over an area of approximately 33,500 hectares. In contrast, a regional-scale SEA will address sustainability issues related to the Northern Cape’s green hydrogen economy, focusing on the Namakwa area defined by the local municipalities of Richtersveld, Nama Khoi, Kamiesberg, and Khâi-Ma.
The primary goal of the SEA is to establish an integrated decision-making framework to guide the sustainable planning of the Boegoebaai port, SEZ, and the wider Namakwa region. The assessment will examine various aspects, including the sensitivity of the receiving environment, potential critical issues that must be addressed early in the planning stages, strategic opportunities and constraints, and recommended management actions. It is important to note that the SEA complements rather than replaces the legal requirements for project-level environmental impact assessments.
Paul Lochner, leader of the CSIR’s Environmental Management Services group, stated, “The CSIR has been instrumental in the introduction and evolution of strategic environmental assessments in South Africa. Our expertise in these assessments is widely recognized, and we are dedicated to providing independent, science-based information and advice in a transparent decision-making process.”
