Historically, South Africa’s development path centred on the greenhouse gas (GHG) emission-intensive mining and energy industries. The present-day SA government is committed to addressing climate change through a just transition towards an inclusive, environmentally sustainable and climate-resilient economy. The transition to a greener economy is embedded in national policy … [Read more...]
50 000 litres of sewage flow into SA’s rivers every second
South Africa’s municipal sewage system has largely collapsed. Of the 824 treatment plants, maybe only 60 release clean water. Raw or partially treated sewage flows into rivers throughout the country, turning dams green and killing people who drink the polluted water. From big metros such as Johannesburg to towns like Villiers in the Free State, what is flushed down the … [Read more...]
Are South Africa’s shopping bags really being recycled?
Despite many claims to the contrary, the shopping bags of most SA retailers are not actually being recycled because of one additive. In spite of wording on their plastic shopping bags such as "Recycle me - set a trend" (Woolworths), "Reduce, reuse, recycle" (Pick 'n Pay & Shoprite) and "We love our country, please recycle" (Spar), these bags are not being recycled … [Read more...]
Joburg leadership urged to move to 100% renewable energy
The leadership and management of the City of Johannesburg are urged to get behind the call to switch Joburg to 100% renewable energy. This will very quickly start to make the city more sustainable as it creates jobs. To advance this aim, the African Climate Reality Project (ACRP) last week met with the Executive Director of the Environment and Infrastructure Services … [Read more...]
Western Cape High Court sets aside all nuclear deals
It’s back to the drawing board for government, which has received a bloody nose in the Western Cape High Court where its nuclear procurement processes to date have been declared unlawful and set aside. Judge Lee Bozalek on Wednesday ruled in favour of the case brought by Earthlife Africa Johannesburg and the Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute (SAFCEI) … [Read more...]
2 billion plastic bottles recycled in SA last year
Over 2 billion PET plastic bottles were recycled in South Africa last year. Plastic bottle recycled tonnage in SA has grown by over 800% since 2005. PETCO has announced their 2016 recycling figures. These indicate that the annual PET recycling rate has grown from 52% of post-consumer bottle PET in 2015, to 55% in 2016, exceeding their expected target. An additional 22% of … [Read more...]
South Africa no longer leading the continent on renewable energy
Although South Africa is the country with the most potential “by far” in terms of its renewable energy programmes, it is stuck in a the “(Fitfully) Waking Giant” category, financial services provider Fieldstone Africa said in its first renewables index for the year. When the Fieldstone Africa Renewables Index (FARI) was introduced, South Africa was the leading country on the … [Read more...]
SA’s draft energy plans must respect constitutional rights
On the eve of the deadline for comments on the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) for Energy, South Africa was struck by the highly disruptive and sinister Cabinet Reshuffle announced by the Presidency. The gutting of principle and expertise in key Ministries has direct implications for the energy and resource planning process underway. There is now a clear divide between those … [Read more...]
Solving SA’s water crisis is an ongoing job
The current drought may have brought water scarcity into the spotlight, but in truth, South Africa has been in crisis a lot longer. Clean and safe drinking water is still inaccessible to millions of South Africans. This World Water Day, on Wednesday 22 March, the Rotary SafeWater Project will be installing two community water filtration units and 30 household units at … [Read more...]
Accelerate your cleantech business
Innovative start-ups and small- and medium-sized enterprises focusing on cutting-edge and innovative clean-technology solutions are offered an opportunity to become part of a global network of entrepreneurs and contribute to a clean and sustainable future. The Global Cleantech Innovation Programme for SMEs in SA (GCIP-SA) opened its call for applications earlier this week. … [Read more...]
Why southern Africa’s iconic baboon is on the decline
Southern Africans have a love-hate relationship with chacma baboons. They have an unmistakable presence on the landscape, but their reputation as notorious troublemakers makes them unpopular. Lethal removal is common throughout their range; humans are the principal cause of the population decline. The people of southern Africa associate the infamous primates with home, even … [Read more...]
South Africa’s “aspirational goal” on adaptation
South Africa’s goal on adaptation is to build resilience and adaptive capacity to respond to climate change risk and vulnerability; whilst providing guidance on the integration of climate change responses into current and future development objectives; through optimising policy, planning, and implementation coherence of climate change adaptation actions. The draft National … [Read more...]
Tropical Storm Dineo to bring heavy rain, flooding to SA
Disaster management teams are at the ready as tropical Tropical storm Dineo prepares to make landfall on Friday. The low-pressure system was expected to bring heavy rain, flooding and possibly wind damage to the southern parts of Mozambique; parts of Limpopo and Mpumalanga; and the northern reaches of KwaZulu-Natal. Nasa reported the formation of the tropical cyclone on … [Read more...]
