What was the final ruling by South Africa's Constitutional Court regarding Shell's offshore exploration right?

The Constitutional Court ruled that Shell Plc may not renew its exploration right off South Africa’s Wild Coast, and ordered that the exploration right ‘should be set aside’ — effectively invalidating it. This decision concluded a five-year legal battle initiated in 2021 over a seismic survey opposed by environmental activists on grounds of inadequate community consultation and harm to marine life and local residents.

Why did environmental groups challenge Shell’s exploration activities, and what legal outcomes supported their position?

Environmental groups challenged Shell’s activities because communities were not properly consulted and because the seismic survey threatened marine life — especially whales — and local residents. Their legal victories included an initial interdict halting the survey, a High Court decision setting aside both the original exploration right and two renewals, and ultimately the Constitutional Court affirming that the right had been lawfully invalidated and could not be renewed — rejecting the Supreme Court of Appeal’s earlier allowance of a third renewal pending consultation.

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