Yesterday's announcement by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa that the threshold for self-generation power project licences would be lifted for projects generating up to 100MW of power is positive news for South Africa. The draft amendment to Schedule 2 of the Electricity Regulation Act (ERA), was published for comment in April 2021. It contained a self-generation … [Read more...]
Kenya emerges as leader in fighting plastic pollution
Kenya is emerging as a leader in the fight against plastic pollution and is among the first countries in East Africa to limit single-use plastics and sign the Clean Seas initiative to rid waterways of plastic waste. Juliette Biao, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Regional Director for Africa lauded the country for banning plastic bottles, cups and cutlery in … [Read more...]
New illegal forest concessions in the DRC
Greenpeace Africa calls on the President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Félix Tshisekedi, to order the immediate cancellation of four illegal forest concession contracts signed last June 11 by the Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development, Claude Nyamugabo. Greenpeace Africa calls on the public prosecutor to open proceedings. In an action brought by civil … [Read more...]
More decisive action needed on climate change
Responding to President Cyril Ramaphosa's recent comments at the World Economic Forum's Davos Agenda, Greenpeace Africa's Climate and Energy Campaign Manager Happy Khambule has said: "The President of South Africa and Chair of the African Union is peddling 20th century solutions to 21st century problems. The President missed an opportunity to rise to the challenges of … [Read more...]
South Africa’s SO2 emissions drop in 2019, no thanks to government
South Africa saw a sharp decrease in Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) emissions in 2019, bringing the country’s emissions to their lowest level on record, according to new research by Greenpeace India and the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA). A significant drop in emissions would increase the quality of life for thousands of South Africans who suffer from respiratory … [Read more...]
Global SO2 emissions dropped last year according to new report
Anthropogenic sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions fell globally in 2019, reveals a new analysis of NASA satellite data by Greenpeace India and the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA). In 2019 human-made SO2 emissions fell in all three of the world’s top SO2 emitter countries - India, Russia and China - the report shows. "While heartening at first glance, the drop … [Read more...]
Women need to stand together to address environmental issues
The threats to our natural environment, along with the uncertainty it brings, most significantly affects South Africa’s women. In a spirited and inspiring online Women’s Month event (held earlier this month), Earthlife Africa Johannesburg – along with partners Gender CC Southern Africa-Women for Climate Justice, Greenpeace Africa and the Africa Coal Network – joined women from … [Read more...]
Time to declare this gorilla haven a national park
The Cameroon Prime Minister’s office announced the suspension of logging plans in Ebo forest on Tuesday, 11 August. The suspension of logging plans, which Greenpeace Africa called “a massacre”, leaves the fate of Ebo forest and the rights of local Banen communities entirely unclear. Ebo forest is essential for more than 40 local Banen communities. Amidst a global coronavirus … [Read more...]
Plans for logging in Ebo Forest denounced by civil society
Greenpeace Africa and local communities denounce a decision by the Government of Cameroon to open up 68,385 hectares of pristine rainforest to logging. The fate of a 65,007 ha zone of Ebo, also threatened with logging, remains unclear and must also be spared from chainsaws. The 14 July decree to log a zone about half the size of London blatantly ignores requests by local … [Read more...]
Air pollution from fossil fuels costs the world billions daily
Air pollution from burning fossil fuels – primarily coal, oil, and gas – is attributed to an estimated 4.5 million deaths each year worldwide and estimated economic losses of approximately 3.3% of global GDP, new research from Greenpeace Southeast Asia and the Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) shows. The report is the first of its kind to assess the global cost … [Read more...]
IPCC report shows critical need for accelerated climate action
The launch of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) special report on the Ocean and Cryosphere today, highlights the need for governments to urgently scale up and accelerate efforts to address the climate emergency and protect the world’s oceans. Drawn from almost 7,000 papers by over 100 leading climate scientists, the IPCC report represents the most … [Read more...]
Mpumalanga a hotspot for deadly sulphur dioxide emissions
NASA satellites have found the Kriel area in Mpumalanga to be a global hotspot for deadly sulphur dioxide (SO2) emissions. A new study commissioned by Greenpeace India used NASA estimates of anthropogenic sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions from hotspots around the world, based on data from the agency's satellites. The study found that Kriel in Mpumalanga, with its high … [Read more...]
Greenpeace activists ship plastic monster back to Nestlé factory
Greenpeace Africa activists and volunteers delivered a #PlasticMonster partly covered with Nestlé branded plastic packaging right back to its source: the Nestlé factory servicing Kenya and other East African countries, calling on the multinational corporation to end its reliance on single-use plastic. Activists also held protests at Nestlé offices in the Philippines, … [Read more...]
