A landmark decision by the Water Tribunal confirms that water licensing authorities must consider the impacts of climate change when deciding whether or not to grant water use licences for new coal-fired power stations. In a decision handed down on July 21, the tribunal upheld an appeal to set aside the two water use licences granted by the Department of Water Affairs and Sanitation (DWS) to Acwa Power for the development of a new coal-fired power station, Khanyisa.
