Climate change. Economic and social recovery from Covid. Growing unemployment and deepening inequality. These are just a few of the issues facing South Africans today. Recent events have exposed that our towns and communities are not resilient/strong enough to cope with the economic and energy shocks (such as loadshedding), nor to deal with the extreme weather events that … [Read more...]
Have your say on the South African Gas Master Plan
Please comment on the proposed Gas Master Plan by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE). Here follows an excerpt from their basecase report regarding the importance of gas in the future energy mix: "At just 2.6% of the country’s total energy mix, South Africa’s natural gas market is small, but with all its inherent benefits, it has the potential to completely … [Read more...]
Ocean Innovation Africa highlights blue economy opportunities
Leaders in sustainable development of the ocean economy gathered in Cape Town last month at Ocean Innovation Africa, Africa’s blue economy summit. The hybrid event occurred live and online, with talks, exhibitions, and networking sessions on the latest in innovative technology, policy and financing for sustainable and equitable growth of ocean industries in Africa. Ocean … [Read more...]
Soutpansberg to be declared a nature reserve
A brand-new Nature Reserve is on its way to being declared in South Africa, a landmark moment for securing the future of the unique biodiversity and cultural heritage of the Soutpansberg Mountain Range. Friday 3 December 2021 marked a pivotal moment for a visionary group of conservation-minded landowners, as a provincial Gazette Notice of Intent to Declare a Nature Reserve … [Read more...]
Invasive plant removal project aims to recruit disadvantaged youth
J.P. Morgan today announced its funding in support of The Nature Conservancy-led Greater Cape Town Water Fund (GCTWF) to remove invasive plants in priority source water areas in the Greater Cape Town region. GCTWF brings together a diverse coalition of public and private sector partners to invest in watershed restoration activities that will yield the greatest benefit for … [Read more...]
30% GHG emission reduction by 2030 not enough
In September 2021, Sasol announced disappointingly modest and self-contradictory plans to reduce its carbon emissions by 30% by 2030. As the company heads towards its 2021 shareholder AGM on 19 November, at which it will table its own non-binding vote on its emission reduction plans, this press briefing note outlines our response to Sasol’s latest targets. It’s no … [Read more...]
South Africa’s first climate finance deal is a promising start
Climate and environmental justice groups cautiously welcome the $8.5 billion partnership announced at COP26, but demand transparency about the scope and conditions, and accountability by lenders, beneficiaries and the South African government. The partnership between the governments of South Africa, the US, the UK, France, Germany and the EU will mobilise $8.5 billion (R131 … [Read more...]
Concern grows over mega-polluting MMSEZ project
As the world prepares for COP26 (starting on 31 October 2021 in Glasgow Scotland), a small community in the far north of Limpopo province grow increasingly concerned about the potentially devastating impacts of the proposed Musina-Makhado Special Economic Zone (MMSEZ) mega-project. The women of the Mulambwane Community – about one hundred of whom held a peaceful … [Read more...]
African Youth Summit: Our Africa, Our Ocean, Our Future
The Youth for Marine Protected Areas (Youth4MPAs) held the first-ever virtual African Youth Summit in August 2021, an opportunity for over 500 youth from across the African Continent to come together over two days and unpack ocean protection from an African perspective. The summit was conceived by the youth, for the youth, with the objective of designing an inclusive … [Read more...]
Small business trade opportunities in the Green Deal
Following on from a previous EU funded project that supported green SMME resilience during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, GreenCape partnered with Wesgro, TIPS, Tralac, Trade Advisory and Cleantech to pivot support to local green SMMEs. This was done so that they could continue to build international relationships to secure trade opportunities, despite the travel … [Read more...]
Investing in young talent will secure future of the green economy
The GreenMatter Fellowship, which nurtures talented young high-performing academics in the environmental field, believes that if corporates in South Africa would invest in young talent, there would be a significantly brighter future for the green economy in the country. South Africa is increasingly considered one of the more progressive nations in the world when it comes to … [Read more...]
SA recycling sector receives technology boost
Innovative technology to track, trace and record the trading in recyclable materials is being rolled out across South Africa. The move is set to empower recycling SMMEs, strengthen the value chain and promote the economic inclusion of the informal sector. In a move set to revolutionise how recyclable materials are traded, tracked and traced in South Africa, an innovative … [Read more...]
Ten million tons of wasted food can feed our people
In South Africa, 10 million tons of food goes to waste every year and ends up in landfills. That’s a third of the 31 million tons produced annually in South Africa. Fruit, vegetables and cereals account for 70% of the wastage. Meanwhile a quarter of our population is going hungry every day, with another quarter at risk. The food wastage facts are documented in a WWF … [Read more...]
