The Green Connection is calling on Parliament to withdraw the proposed Gas Bill, warning that expanding gas infrastructure could increase energy costs, deepen climate risks and weaken protections for affected communities.
The eco-justice organisation submitted comments to Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Electricity and Energy on 7 August 2026, arguing that the proposed legislation is not sufficiently aligned with South Africa’s Climate Change Act, emissions targets or commitments to a just energy transition.
The Bill would repeal the Gas Act of 2001 and introduce a new regulatory framework for the country’s gas sector. The Green Connection argues that the legislation could encourage investment in long-term fossil-fuel infrastructure at a time when South Africa is working towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Lisa Makaula, Advocacy Lead at The Green Connection, said the organisation is particularly concerned about the treatment of liquefied natural gas as a transition fuel and the potential duration of gas licences.
“The Bill makes no reference to the Climate Change Act, South Africa’s emissions targets or the just transition, despite the need for new legislation to support the country’s climate commitments,” Makaula said.
She said licences could potentially be issued for periods of up to 25 years, creating infrastructure and investment commitments extending well into South Africa’s transition towards net-zero emissions.
Methane is another area of concern. Natural gas consists primarily of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, yet The Green Connection says the proposed legislation does not contain explicit requirements for monitoring, reporting or limiting methane leaks throughout the gas value chain.
The organisation argues that these concerns are increasingly important as communities experience the effects associated with a changing climate, including droughts, floods, heatwaves and other extreme weather conditions.
The potential financial implications of greater reliance on imported liquefied natural gas have also been raised. International gas prices can fluctuate significantly, potentially exposing electricity producers and ultimately consumers to global price shocks.
The Green Connection argues that this could create additional financial pressure for households already facing high electricity costs and broader cost-of-living pressures.
Community participation and land rights form another significant part of the organisation’s objections.
Neville van Rooy, Outreach Ambassador at The Green Connection, said replacing the existing Gas Act could weaken safeguards relating to public consultation, notification of affected communities, environmental rehabilitation and land rights.
“Another huge concern is that the Bill could reduce precious public safeguards at precisely the time when communities need a greater say in decisions affecting their lives, livelihoods and land,” said van Rooy.
The organisation is particularly concerned about customary and informal land rights and the potential impact of gas infrastructure on traditional communities, coastal communities and small-scale fishers.
It argues that fishing communities and cooperatives have not been adequately considered in the socio-economic assessment supporting the proposed legislation, despite the potential for coastal gas infrastructure to affect marine ecosystems and livelihoods.
The Green Connection has also questioned the Final Socio-Economic Impact Assessment System report accompanying the Bill, arguing that it appears to relate to an earlier version of the legislation and does not adequately reflect the repeal-and-replacement Bill currently before Parliament.
The organisation believes the Gas Bill should also be considered alongside other developments in South Africa’s fossil-fuel policy framework, including the Upstream Petroleum Resources Development Act and proposed South African National Petroleum Company Bill.
According to The Green Connection, these policies collectively have implications for the country’s climate commitments, public finances, future energy costs and communities affected by energy infrastructure.
“We urge Parliament to withdraw the Bill and reconsider whether expanding imported gas infrastructure is consistent with South Africa’s climate commitments and broader social and economic objectives,” Makaula said.
Should Parliament proceed with the legislation, the organisation wants substantial amendments, including methane monitoring and reporting requirements, stronger public participation and environmental safeguards, recognition of customary and informal land rights, fair compensation and adequate funding for decommissioning and rehabilitation.
The Green Connection is also calling for public hearings in affected coastal provinces and wants the legislation referred to the National Council of Provinces and the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders.
The organisation maintains that decisions about South Africa’s future energy system must balance energy affordability and security with climate commitments, environmental protection and the rights and livelihoods of affected communities.
