REACTIVE
13 October 2020, Johannesburg — Sasol, South Africa’s second largest emitter of greenhouse gases, received a R6.5 billion boost in profits last year as a result of their exemption from carbon tax. In response to this news, Greenpeace Africa’s Climate and Energy Campaigner Thandile Chinyavanhu has said:
“Big polluters profit even when they pollute; what’s worse, they dodge accountability at every turn. Sasol, with the government’s complicity, continues to undermine the drive towards an environment that is healthy and safe for all. It’s clear that the climate crisis and compliance with air quality legislation are on neither the government nor Sasol’s agendas, despite any insistence otherwise.
“This is a depressing failure of the government and a grotesque testament to how big polluters like Sasol will stop at nothing to multiply their profits. The South African government has not provided Sasol with any incentive to curb their emissions; rather they are being rewarded for their toxic business model which contributes 11% of South Africa’s greenhouse gas emissions. What will Sasol do with the R6.5bn in carbon tax that they avoided? If it is not spent on a just transition, it will be money criminally wasted, with lives lost to air pollution in the name of wretched excess.”
ENDS
Contact details
Chris Vlavianos: Greenpeace Africa Communications Officer, +2779 883 7036, [email protected]
Greenpeace Africa calls on all South Africans to join the fight against the climate crisis. Demand the government declare a climate emergency and hold polluters accountable. You can support the movement by signing this petition.
Discussion
Chris, are you retarded? Sasol is on the brink of bankruptcy. Please do your research
Let us please be kind with our words.Are you aware that more than 200 000 Sasolburg residents only in the area have lung related infections due to the air pollution that Sasol continuously causing?
That should have happened.