Fresh life for old tyres; visionary 3D-printing for construction: these are just some of the clever and sustainable ideas presented by university students competing in the annual Growthpoint Properties and Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA) Greenovate Awards. The University of Stellenbosch triumphed overall, notably in the engineering category – which … [Read more...]
Cape Town’s top 10 green innovators announced
Invest Cape Town and The Business Hub, initiatives of the City of Cape Town, in partnership with GreenCape, invited innovators and entrepreneurs with economically viable green economy innovation business ideas to enter the Invest Cape Town | Business Hub GreenPitch Challenge 2021. From close to 40 excellent nationwide entries, the following innovations have been announced as … [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...]
Eco-Logic Awards now open for entries
Hosted by The Enviropaedia, the 2020 Eco-Logic Awards is now open for entries. The awards ceremony will take place in June 2020. “Each year we profile and promote the best of South Africa’s eco-champions. We actively encourage all business and private consumers to support and reward these companies and individuals for their eco-logical efforts by purchasing their products … [Read more...]
Futurist returns to Design Indaba with green message
As part of the Design Indaba Festival 2020, Paris-based futurist Li Edelkoort will host inspiring new trend seminars in Johannesburg and Cape Town. Edelkoort’s ever-popular three-hour presentations form part of the official programme for the event’s 25th anniversary celebration. Her upcoming talks will take place in two parts. For the first part of the seminar, the … [Read more...]
Affordable housing designed with the environment in mind
A Western Cape design project that encourages innovation and affordable solutions in low-income housing is in the running for a prestigious US$85,000 award. Known as the Better Living Challenge (BLC), the project is in the finals for the Human City Design Award, organised by the Seoul Design Foundation. The winner will be announced on Thursday 26 September in Seoul, South … [Read more...]
Take the climate solutions quiz
To reduce our impact on the climate and avert disaster, it’s going to take more than switching to high-efficiency light bulbs. But the most effective ways that individuals, policymakers and businesses can reduce our carbon footprint might surprise you. Let’s see how much you know about what can be done to fight climate change. Take the climate solutions quiz at CNN. … [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...]
Global funding helps Cape Town school go solar
Solar micro-leasing marketplace Sun Exchange announced on Wednesday that it would be a key partner in providing solar power for several Western Cape Education Department schools, starting with Protea Heights Academy in Cape Town. Sun Exchange enables schools and businesses to have solar power installed with no upfront or ongoing operational costs. With immediate savings on … [Read more...]
Upcycling gives waste an exciting new purpose
Upcycling is a fun and creative way to transform old products and packaging into something with a new purpose. According to the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA)’s Waste Management Hierarchy, upcycling, which in the most basic sense is ‘reusing’ waste, is the second most preferred waste management option after ‘reducing’ your waste. Have you ever used an old glass … [Read more...]
Journalists set off in search of African sustainability stories
On April 9th 2016, a 3-person team of mobile journalists will begin an epic 14,000 km trans-African cycling expedition from Cape Town, South Africa to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Travelling unsupported for up to 10 months, carrying all their equipment, the team will produce documentary shorts that showcase ordinary people doing extraordinary things for their community and planet. … [Read more...]
Cape Town office block achieves SA’s first socio-economic impact certification
Karl Bremer Office Block in Bellville, Cape Town, is the first project to achieve a Socio-Economic Category (SEC) Pilot rating in Africa as part of its 5-Star Green Star SA rating, achieved at the same time, announced the Green Building Council of SA (GBCSA). The office block is a project of the Western Cape Department of Transport and Public Works. The Socio-Economic … [Read more...]
SA to host the next International Renewable Energy Conference
The Government of South Africa announced that it has teamed up with REN21 – the Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century - to organise the next International Renewable Energy Conference (IREC) in South Africa in autumn 2015. Dedicated exclusively to the renewable energy sector, IREC is a high-level political conference series hosted by a national government … [Read more...]
