Onshore unconventional natural gas in South Africa: regulating the water￾energy-food nexus

Abstract

Energy security is an acute issue in South Africa. The South African government's interest in onshore unconventional natural gas (shale gas) as an additional or alternative energy source remain resolute. While numerous studies have provided progress in a better understanding of the numerous environmental impacts associated with onshore unconventional natural gas development (UGD), not many studies make use of a systems-based approach, such as a socio-ecological systems approach to make linkages between (i) human (social) and ecological systems and (ii) water, energy and food more explicit.

The original contribution of this thesis lies in its use of a mixed methodology of performing the necessary research. The approach consists of employing both legal research methodology and qualitative empirical research methodology towards analysing the extent to which the South African regulatory framework on UGD follow a WEF nexus approach. Three empirical studies that straddle the WEF nexus and UGD illustrate how trade-offs take place at local community level and the extent of integrated decision making. The value of the three empirical studies lies in the context specific data and results. While context matters greatly, within UGD and the WEF nexus, a number of comparable findings could be made.

Since the WEF nexus approach requires integrated and coordinated governance arrangements, more qualitative studies on UGD are required to focus on this critical aspect.