Plans to roll out hydraulic fracturing or fracking, as it's more commonly known, in the Karoo have been halted. The Supreme Court of Appeal ruled in favour of an application brought by AfriForum and the Treasure Karoo Action Group on Thursday. The court ruled that the ministers of Mineral Resources and Environmental Affairs do not have the authority to implement the … [Read more...]
Whatever happened to South Africa’s new Green Deal?
There is a question mark in the headline precisely because whatever new Green Deal there was in the making in South Africa has come to a standstill. Elements of it were contained in the National Growth Plan (NGP), the National Development Plan (NDP), the Green Fund run by the Development Bank of SA (DBSA) and an endless caravan of policy papers, conferences and jamborees on the … [Read more...]
Fuel most foul: purgatory times for oil majors
As the ravages of climate breakdown barrel at exponential speeds across the planet, the fossil fuel conglomerates are facing unprecedented pushback. The anger is mostly coming from teenagers, who will bear the brunt of the devastation. But the protests are being supported by rising calls for fossil fuel executives to be tried for crimes against humanity, by strident … [Read more...]
Greenpeace Africa presents roadmap for a stumbling Eskom
As Eskom's debt approaches a staggering R500bn and South Africa’s economy contracts, the urgency of a business model revamp for the utility could not be clearer. To address this, Greenpeace Africa commissioned a study, Eskom: A roadmap To Powering The Future, which provides a clear roadmap for the sinking utility's reform and adaptation. “Fundamental reforms of the South … [Read more...]
Germany to close all coal fired power plants by 2038
Germany should shut down all 84 of its coal fired power plants by 2038 at the latest, a government-appointed commission said on Saturday, proposing at least 40 billion euros ($45.7 billion) in aid to regions affected by the phase-out. The roadmap proposals, a hard-won compromise reached early on Saturday after more than 20 hours of talks, must now be implemented by the … [Read more...]
Ramaphosa named in multi-billion-rand coal pollution court case
It has been 12 years since the South African government officially recognised the lethal levels of air pollution caused by the Eskom and Sasol plants on the Mpumalanga and east Gauteng Highveld. In that time, with international experts linking our national coal-fired pollution to thousands of deaths and tens of thousands of chronic illnesses a year — costing the economy in … [Read more...]
Clean air a basic human right, not a luxury
This World Environment Day we face the reality that more than 9 out of 10 people globally are breathing unsafe air. “Clean air isn’t a luxury; it’s a basic human right. It’s not acceptable that so many people around the world are being forced to breathe polluted, toxic air. More and more people are having to deal with the terrible health impacts and they’ve had enough – … [Read more...]
SA’s new cabinet a blow for efforts against climate change
Following the delayed announcement of President Ramaphosa’s cabinet this week, the Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute (SAFCEI) and many civil society actors were disappointed and dismayed to hear that Mr Gwede Mantashe was awarded the newly combined Mineral Resources and Energy Ministry. “We are deeply concerned about the re-appointment of Mr Mantashe … [Read more...]
Environmental group enters legal fight over Cape Town’s bid to procure its own electricity
The Centre for Environmental Rights has applied to be a friend of the court in the case in which the City of Cape Town is seeking to be allowed to procure its own renewable energy without needing permission from the national energy minister. The matter is being heard in the high court in Pretoria. The organisation said on Tuesday that municipalities, which accounted for 40% … [Read more...]
Join the fight for renewable energy in Africa
Africa doesn’t need fossil fuels to reach its development. As the least responsible, but yet most vulnerable to climate change, Africa must follow upon the Climate Vulnerable Forum pledge made by 16 African governments in November 2016 to accelerate the transition towards an economy powered by 100% renewables. Our fight against fossil fuels is a pathway to a united African … [Read more...]
Green activists are being dragged down by lawsuits and murder
Despite the global environmental crisis confronting our planet, environmental activism has become a dangerous activity. In many countries, environmental defenders are harassed, attacked or even killed for speaking out and mobilizing against projects that threaten the health and livelihood of communities. The latest tactic is nuisance lawsuits, as a new report about South … [Read more...]
Cool clean tech to tackle climate change
South African entrepreneurs are taking climate change seriously: Water filters made from macadamia nut shells, a mobile solar-powered kiosk for charging phones in off-grid areas, vegetable growing systems using recycled plastic bags, and a machine that turns any type of waste into energy (gas) or diesel. At the SEED South Africa Symposium held in Pretoria recently, … [Read more...]
Eco awareness leads to award recognition for Sea Point hotel
Having previously made headlines for their industry-leading water conservation efforts, the hotel is once again pioneering environmental sustainability and responsibility, having received the ECO Proud/ECO Excellent Status Award. As part of the Dream Hotels & Resorts group, The Peninsula All-Suite Hotel is the first recipient of the award after the implementation of a … [Read more...]
