It is always encouraging to see larger retailers take active steps toward treading more lightly in their daily operations. The Shoprite Group now generates enough electricity to power over 1 100 households - 12 300 MWh of electricity - a year from solar energy, following the installation of rooftop PV (photovoltaic) panels at 19 sites in South Africa and Namibia. The … [Read more...]
The search for sustainable cotton
"We are at a unique stage in our history. Never before have we had such an awareness of what we are doing to the planet, and never before have we had the power to do something about that… The future of humanity and indeed, all life on earth, now depends on us." - David Attenborough. From David Attenborough to world leaders, we are hearing that the next decade will determine … [Read more...]
SA entrepreneurs grow ideas into successful businesses
Despite living in different parts of South Africa, Simphiwe Makapela, Kylie Davids and Luvuyo Gushu each began their entrepreneurial journey with one common goal in mind – exploring opportunities to develop successful businesses in the water, biodiversity and environmental sectors. Historically, entrepreneurs looking to venture into specialised sectors, such as water and … [Read more...]
EU Sustainable Taxonomy must be rooted in climate science
The global climate strikes have consistently made a simple demand: listen to the science. We agree. Just as experts and evidence have been key assets in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic, so too must they, and not sectoral interests, determine our policies to fight the climate crisis. WWF Central and Eastern Europe, along with a coalition of NGOs, think-tanks, experts and … [Read more...]
Civil society calls for protection of Piatúa River
On November 26, a coalition of civil society organizations and law professors submitted an amicus brief to Ecuador’s Constitutional Court calling for the protection of the Piatúa River based on the Rights of Nature and Indigenous rights. The Piatúa River is under threat from a hydroelectric project that Ecuador’s government approved without the free, prior, and informed … [Read more...]
Belgian green parties introduce bill to make ecocide a crime
The Belgian Ecolo-Groen (Eco-Green) parties have been quick to seize the moment to propose establishing the crime of ‘Ecocide” in Belgium and in the wider international community, following French president Emmanuel Macron’s recent statement in support of making ecocide a crime. Belgian eco-green parties, in consultation with French legal expert and Stop Ecocide associate … [Read more...]
Extinction Rebellion responds to 2020 SONA
“We undertake this decisive shift in our energy trajectory at a time when humankind faces its greatest existential threat in the form of climate change. Yesterday I met Ayakha Melithafa, a young climate activist from Eerste Rivier who attended the World Economic Forum in Davos this year to call on world leaders to stand firmly for climate justice. Ayakha asked me to make … [Read more...]
Entrepreneurs sought for growing Cape’s green economy
GreenCape and the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF), in partnership with Invest Cape Town, an initiative of the City of Cape Town, invite innovators and entrepreneurs with economically viable green economy innovation business ideas to enter the FNF GreenPitch Challenge 2019. Entries are open from Monday 18 November until noon on Friday 29 November. “The FNF is … [Read more...]
Calls for public release of the Climate Change Bill’s second draft
After months of silence from government on the progress of the Climate Change Bill, Environmental Affairs Minister Barbara Creecy informed Parliament during her Budget Vote speech on 11 July 2019 that the second draft of this critical piece of legislation is currently under review at the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac). The first draft of the Bill … [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...]
How political parties plan to address climate change
“We urge South Africans to #VotefortheEnvironment when they head to the polls on 8 May. Citizens must choose leaders who recognise the urgency for climate change action and prioritises it in its policy agenda. We need a political party that stops protecting big business, but instead develops policies that will protect the environment, protect our workers and empower our … [Read more...]
Hiding incidents at Koeberg is a problem for public safety
According to the Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute (SAFCEI), the recent revelations by Minister Pravin Gordhan that three separate safety ‘incidents’ had occurred at Koeberg Power Station in 2014 and 2015, should raise a red flag for South African citizens. Not only is the executive decision to keep the public in the dark about these incidents … [Read more...]
Green Party aims for harmony between humans and the environment
The Green Party of South Africa is standing for the Western Cape provincial elections this year. The party's core goal is to have humans live in harmony with each other and our environment. It is an ideology shared to some level by every citizen of this country – from those who wish they could end poverty for others, or for themselves, end animal cruelty, etc. and for those … [Read more...]
