The Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) recently helped to make history in Australia when Constant Hoogstad, Senior Manager: Industry Partnerships, travelled to Tasmania to facilitate the formalisation of a partnership between Raptor Refuge, a local raptor rehabilitation centre, and Tasmania’s electricity company, TasNetworks. The Eskom/EWT strategic partnership is an example of … [Read more...]
World’s largest air pollution hotspot is Mpumalanga
A groundbreaking analysis of satellite data from 1 June to 31 August this year reveals the world’s largest NO2 air pollution hotspots across six continents in the most detail to date. Greenpeace analysis of the data points to coal and transport as the two principle sources of air pollution, with Mpumalanga in South Africa topping the chart as the world’s largest NO2 hotspot … [Read more...]
Busting the “clean coal” myth: why coal can only ever be dirty
“Clean coal” is promoted as the lifeline that will allow governments to continue to depend on coal for energy generation. But there is no such thing as “clean coal”. South Africa is the biggest coal producer in Africa. Over the past 10 years alone, we have produced an average of 254 million tons of coal per year. 70 million tons of the coal we produce is exported, and the … [Read more...]
NGOs call for a tougher Climate Change Bill
In its formal response to the Department of Environmental Affairs’ proposed Climate Change Bill, the Life After Coal Campaign has called for a far more robust and proactive Bill. Life After Coal is a joint campaign of non-profit environmental justice organisations groundWork, Earthlife Africa and the Centre for Environmental Rights (CER). “While we applaud the Department for … [Read more...]
Oppose these mining applications and defend your rights to a healthy environment
Eskom has once again announced that it will not meet pollution standards for 14 of its coal power stations. Although Eskom has already been given permission to postpone its compliance with the Air Quality Act’s minimum emission standards, and despite overwhelming evidence of the devastating health impacts of its emissions, it now plans to ask the Department of Environmental … [Read more...]
Battle against climate-destroying new coal plants escalates
In the past week, the Life After Coal Campaign (which comprises: the Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), Earthlife Africa, and groundWork) has instituted fresh court proceedings against the Minister of Environmental Affairs in relation to the proposed Thabametsi independent power producer (IPP) coal-fired power station. The Campaign has also made further written and oral … [Read more...]
Eskom’s expensive new nuclear station a contentious issue
The Department of Environmental Affairs on Friday endorsed Eskom’s plan to build a nuclear power station at Duynefontein on the Western Cape coast‚ near the Koeberg power station. Although the power utility has welcomed the decision‚ the Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute and Earthlife Africa are opposed to it. “We welcome the authorisation by the … [Read more...]
WESSA celebrates environmental achievements with annual awards
WESSA has paid tribute to a wide range of outstanding environmental achievements with the presentation of the organisation’s 2017 Annual Awards. The Awards were presented at the organisation’s 91st AGM, hosted by WESSA’s KwaZulu-Natal Regional Membership at the Protea Hotel Durban Edward on Saturday. The WESSA Awards, which have been presented since 1974, enable WESSA to … [Read more...]
Engineering study dispels myths on limits to renewables in SA
A serious engineering study and report has dispelled the myths and propaganda peddled by fired former Eskom CEO Brian Molefe and suspended Eskom acting CEO Matshela Koko on the limits and costs of accommodating significant levels of variable renewable energy capacity in the South African power grid. The study and associated report was prepared for the South African … [Read more...]
Coal and nuclear lobbies threaten renewables in South Africa
South African power utility Eskom recently repeated that it will not conclude supply contracts with the developers of new renewable energy power stations. These developers were selected under a programme to facilitate private sector involvement in the building of medium-sized renewable energy power stations. The programme has won plaudits for its success in facilitating the … [Read more...]
Climate and water threatening Thabametsi coal plant still on the cards
The Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) could be giving the go-ahead for what will be one of the most greenhouse gas (GHG) emission intensive coal-fired power stations, not only in South Africa, but in the world. Its GHG emissions are likely to be 60% higher than Eskom’s new Medupi and Kusile coal plants. This is apparent from the final climate change impact assessment … [Read more...]
The legal challenges of selling clean electricity directly to municipalities
Government needs to set the rules to favour renewable energy. The legal and regulatory framework forms the foundation for building a sustainable renewable energy infrastructure. In countries such as China, environmental issues have become the reasons for mass demonstrations. As a result, the Chinese government changed its plan for renewable energy and China is now experiencing … [Read more...]
Drought is the new normal, says Mayor De Lille
The following speech was delivered by the City of Cape Town’s Executive Mayor, Patricia de Lille (top photograph), at the full Council meeting on 27 July 2017: I would like to welcome all councillors back from the mid-year recess. I trust that we are ready to continue taking service delivery to the next level. Let me start with the drought crisis and yes, despite the … [Read more...]
