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...]
Inga 3 project going ahead amid COVID-19 pandemic
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) concluded a week-long conference in June earlier this year on the beleaguered Grand Inga Dam Project, where South Africa restated its commitment to purchase 5000MW of electricity from the proposed project, and the SA Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy is reported to be pressing ahead with their plans to procure power from the … [Read more...]
Concern over Minister Gwede Mantashe’s fixation on nuclear power
Extinction Rebellion South Africa shares the concern voiced by many people and organizations over Minister Gwede Mantashe’s unreasonable fixation on nuclear power. In May, Minister Mantashe said, when addressing the Portfolio Committee: “We are going to explore all options, when there is appetite for nuclear in the market, we will go ahead with it.” Is that a sound plan? Why … [Read more...]
Victory for nature and the rule of law in Bulgaria
The Bulgarian Supreme Administrative Court suspended the execution of Pirin National Park's new management plan, which would have allowed construction in 66% and logging in 48% of the national park and World Heritage Site. WWF-Bulgaria has been fighting to prohibit new logging and construction in Pirin National Park since November 2016, activities that would endanger many … [Read more...]
Finding economic and environmental solutions after covid-19
Post-Covid-19, there will be more pressure on governments, NGO’s, and the private sector to drive small economies in local communities. With an expected rise in unemployment, a bi-product of the forced global lockdowns, new ways to derive incomes are going to be key for survival, and especially in the poorer communities in South Africa. Green Corridors, the NPO which has … [Read more...]
Covid-19: Cloth masks for public use
There has been much debate globally about whether it is recommended to make use of a facemask during the Covid-19 pandemic. A policy guideline developed by the Dept of Health for sectors other than Health indicates that, as the epidemic unfolds, the wider use of masks are indicated even for people who are not ill, especially if they move around in the public. The Western … [Read more...]
Malaysia is fighting the climate crisis with green architecture
More than a third of all worldwide energy is consumed by buildings and construction, so a new generation of architects are designing structures that both respond to Malaysia’s climate whilst also being sympathetic to the global climate emergency. Award-winning Malaysian architect Eleena Jamil, who has utilised bamboo in her structures, explains the importance of embracing … [Read more...]
Turning aspiration into action: maintaining green building status
While building green is a crucial first step in creating a greener, cleaner and smarter environment, some of these facilities fail to maintain efficient green functioning practices. Resulting in a building that is green, i.e. built with green and organic materials, but facility management that is not. The Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA) is well known for its … [Read more...]
NGOs release list of world’s top coal plant developers
Four days before the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) puts forward its special report on 1.5°C, NGOs have released a new list of the world’s top 120 coal plant developers. “Building new coal plants is an assault on the Paris climate goals,” says Heffa Schuecking, director of the German environment NGO Urgewald. “Our list names the top companies investors and … [Read more...]
Features to look for in an eco-friendly home
Being eco-friendly is no longer just a fad or trend; it’s a lifestyle choice and it’s here to stay. With the Western Cape’s current severe drought situation, and thousands of tonnes of waste poured into our landfills every year, there’s no time like the present to think more seriously about adopting the ‘green’ lifestyle. If you’re browsing for houses for sale, and want to … [Read more...]
GBCSA launches Green Star Communities Pilot Programme in SA
The Green Building Council South Africa (GBCSA) announced the launch of the locally applicable version of the Green Star – Communities rating tool in South Africa. The tool is a framework that will drive the development of more sustainable neighbourhoods and precincts, ultimately making African cities more sustainable. Green Star – Communities, developed by the Green … [Read more...]
Will Eskom join the renewable energy party?
South Africa is the 11th most attractive country in the world for renewable energy investment, revealed a recent story by Ernst and Young. Yet Eskom CEO Brian Molefe, during his State of the System briefing in Cape Town, claimed that Renewable Energy is a ‘disappointment.’ In response Greenpeace has said: “Greenpeace condemns the anti-renewable energy propaganda coming … [Read more...]
Green Building Council SA awards first EDGE rating certifications in SA
The Green Building Council South Africa (GBCSA) has certified the first housing projects in the country using the EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies) residential green building tool, currently in pilot phase. The council is now set for a major rollout of green building ratings in SA’s residential property sector. This was announced by GBCSA Chief Executive … [Read more...]
