Our climate justice work combines litigation, research, community engagement and advocacy to tackle and highlight how climate change affects healthcare and basic education.
SECTION27's climate justice work primarily addresses how the climate crisis places the right to access healthcare services and basic education at risk. We aim to ensure that system reforms and budgets are informed by, and responsive to, the lived realities of those most affected.
We work collaboratively work with various stakeholders to integrate the climate crisis into human rights discourse and hold state actors accountable for its existing obligations.
South Africa’s Constitution states that everyone has the right to an environment that is not harmful to their health or well-being; to have the environment protected, for the benefit of present and future generations.
Climate Change Act 22 of 2024 requires the South African government, including the Departments of Health and Basic Education, to assess climate risks and take action to reduce its effects.
We drive systemic change through advocacy, research and meaningful community engagement and work with affected communities to ensure their experiences influence policy discussions, budget decisions and legal strategies. We aim to ensure that system reforms and public budgets are informed by, and are responsive to, the lived realities of those most affected by the climate crisis.
We engage affected communities, conduct research, litigate, if need be, and tell stories that amplify on-the-ground voices and demand climate-responsive systems and budgets.
On the night of 18 February 2022, a nearby dam burst and tore through Thulandivile. Families were separated and the community was thrust into extraordinary survival mode.
Read the story arrow_forwardWe documented community voices for publication, and support their participation in future engagements so decision-makers hear directly from those affected.
View gallery arrow_forwardA 2025 roundtable bringing together advocates working at the intersection of climate, health and education to share knowledge and co-create solutions.
See the convening arrow_forwardRepresenting VEJA as amicus curiae to challenge 1 500 MW of new coal-fired power procurement under the 2019 Integrated Resource Plan.
Read the case arrow_forwardFlip through the full photo essay documenting the flood's impact on the Thulandivile community and the women leading its recovery. Click a page corner, use the arrows, or the keyboard ← / →.
picture_as_pdf Download full PDFFlip through the full photo essay documenting the flood's impact on the Thulandivile community and the women leading its recovery. Click a page corner, use the arrows, or the keyboard ← / →.
picture_as_pdf Download full PDFInterviews we conducted on Climate Change and the impact.
Reports, toolkits and learning briefs produced through our research and community engagement.
On 28 and 29 February 2024, SECTION27 hosted a convening, Protecting the Rights to Quality Health Services and Basic Education from Climate Change, of public interest law organisations, social movements, community-based organisations, youth organisations and activist academics to unpack the climate crisis and its impact on socio-economic rights, aiming to:
In 2025, a second convening — "Lessons in Overcoming Barriers in Climate in Health and Education" — created space for organisations and advocates to share knowledge and build solutions together.
The purpose of the roundtable was to:
On 10 July 2026, SECTION27 filed written submissions as amicus curiae before the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights on the climate change crises and obligations of African State. The submissions are in response to a Request for Advisory Opinion brought by the Pan-African Lawyers Union.
SECTION27 represented the Vaal Environmental Justice Alliance (VEJA) in an amicus intervention in the groundbreaking constitutional case seeking to set aside the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy's decision — concurred to by NERSA — to procure 1 500 MW of new coal-fired power under the 2019 Integrated Resource Plan.
The application, launched in the Gauteng North High Court by the African Climate Alliance, Vukani Environmental Justice Movement in Action and the groundWork Trust (represented by the Centre for Environmental Rights), argued that the Minister and NERSA failed to consider the adverse impact of new coal-fired energy on various constitutional rights.
VEJA, represented by SECTION27, was admitted as a friend of the court, highlighting the intersectional discrimination faced by members extensively affected by air pollution in the Vaal Triangle.
On 12 October 2020, the Climate Justice Coalition launched the "Just Us and the Climate" podcast, centring the climate crisis in public interest discourse. SECTION27 hosted two episodes this season — the introductory episode, and an episode on the impact of climate change on education in South Africa.
The report accompanying the podcast series, exploring what a just, climate-resilient recovery looks like for South Africa's health and education systems.
Recordings from our public webinar series on climate, health and education rights.
Moments from our convenings, community engagements and the #CancelCoal case.
