The 28th Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, more commonly referred to as COP28, brings together global leaders, experts, impacted communities and decision-makers to continue efforts aimed at solving the world’s climate challenges. COP28 unites attendees and diverse stakeholders with the aim to devise specific solutions … [Read more...]
SA game changers honoured at the Eco-Logic Awards
There is an infectious feeling of optimism and comradery in the air when a group of like-minded individuals get together to celebrate the incredible work being done by local individuals, organisations, and communities to build a greener and more eco-logical world. And that’s exactly what the 2023 Eco-Logic Awards, which took place on 9 November at the Two Oceans Aquarium, is … [Read more...]
Powering up climate solutions with renewables
South African eco-justice activists joined the global movement Power Up for Climate Solutions to kick off a month (from 3 November to 9 December) of environmental and climate action in the lead up to COP28 outside Parliament on Friday. The Green Connection, African Climate Alliance, Extinction Rebellion, 350.org, and Project 90 by 2030 joined others around the world in a … [Read more...]
Civil society welcomes progress on the Climate Change Bill
The Life after Coal campaign welcomes the passing of the Climate Change Bill in the National Assembly, paving the way for it to go to the National Council of Provinces for concurrence. Once agreed to there, it can be signed into law by the President and become the country’s first Climate Change Act. This long-awaited legislation governs South Africa’s climate action and … [Read more...]
Fishers disappointed with DWOB oil and gas approval
The Green Connection and affected small-scale fishers say they are disappointed (but not surprised) with the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy’s (DMRE) approval of TotalEnergies’ Deep Western Orange Basin (DWOB) Oil and Gas drilling application on the West Coast. The Green Connection says it will appeal the decision. The Green Connection’s Community Outreach … [Read more...]
Government secrecy over coal plant decommissioning report
Civil society is concerned about National Treasury’s delay in releasing crucial information relevant to the future of coal-fired power plants in South Africa. Treasury announced in February this year that it had commissioned an independent review of Eskom’s 14 coal-fired power plants and that the review would be concluded by mid-2023. However, it has still not released … [Read more...]
Powering a safer future with renewable energy
Energy is at the heart of the climate challenge – and key to the solution. A large chunk of the greenhouse gases that blanket the Earth and trap the sun’s heat are generated through energy production, by burning fossil fuels to generate electricity and heat. Fossil fuels, such as coal, oil and gas, are by far the largest contributor to global climate change, accounting … [Read more...]
Accelerating much-needed investment for climate adaptation
Two new partnerships for scaling up adaptation action in developing countries were launched at the Climate Ambition Summit under the Secretary-General’s Adaptation Pipeline Accelerator. This initiative aims to pioneer a new collaborative model for accelerating investment for adaptation in developing countries. Australia and Spain will partner with the small island … [Read more...]
Rewiring food systems to soften climate impacts
To make more progress in the fight against hunger, the world needs to make at-risk communities less vulnerable to climate shocks and other emergencies, according to the UN World Food Programme. “If we want to break out of the never-ending cycle of crisis and response, we need to address the root causes of hunger by multi-year, long-term projects that shield communities from … [Read more...]
Funds needed for quake-hit families in Afghanistan
UN agencies are appealing for urgent funds to assist the hundreds of thousands affected by deadly earthquakes in western Afghanistan. The region was struck by two massive earthquakes on Saturday, followed a series of aftershocks, including a major one on Wednesday that flattened several homes spared by the original quake. Women and children make up over 90 per cent of the … [Read more...]
South Africans are concerned about climate change
Epson’s latest Climate Barometer survey – the third edition since the survey began in 2021 – has revealed new insights around South Africans’ attitudes and behaviours towards climate change, an imminent climate crisis, and taking action to make a difference for the betterment of the environment. After poverty (68.4%) and the rising prices of goods and services (64.2%), the … [Read more...]
SA community activists celebrate training milestone
On September 22, 2023, the Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) proudly hosted the graduation ceremony of the 7th edition of their annual Environmental Rights and Remedies Course, marking a significant milestone as they celebrated the training of over 100 community activists from across South Africa. This year’s class of 2023 was a testament to CER's commitment to … [Read more...]
Green hydrogen: a whole transformation
“The green hydrogen sector will create about 2–4 million jobs by 2050 as well as increase the GDPs of countries with about 6–12%,” says Joyce Kabui, the Africa Manager for the Green Hydrogen Organisation and coordinator of the Africa Green Hydrogen Alliance. She continues: “Already we can see the impact that countries are going to feel. It also truly shifts the energy map, … [Read more...]
