The keynote speakers at the Renewable Energy Postgraduate Symposium (REPS) held at Stellenbosch University on 17 and 18 July emphasized the need for relevant, perhaps even bankable research. “Academic research needs to come out of the lab and onto commercial spaces,” said Mr. Cebo Silinga as he presented instruments from the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) designed to … [Read more...]
Standard Bank tables first SA shareholder resolution on climate risk
Standard Bank’s Notice of Annual General Meeting, released on 17 April 2019, includes a resolution proposed by shareholders that would require the bank to prepare a report on its exposure to climate risk in its lending, financing and investment activities. This is the first time that a South African company has tabled a shareholder resolution on any climate-related issue. … [Read more...]
Public partication crucial to progressing SA’s electricity plan – be there!
Last week South Africans got their first glimpse at the Department of Energy’s (DoE) proposed electricity plans. The proposals suggested in the plan came as no surprise to the Southern African Faith Communities’ Environmental Institute (SAFCEI) and Earthlife Africa Johannesburg (ELA-JHB), who eagerly await their day in court (13 and 14 December) to oppose the SA government’s … [Read more...]
More water bottles recycled than landfilled
For the 12 past years PET bottles are being recycled in South Africa and these numbers have climbed to include now more than those landfilled. An important milestone indeed. This is all championed by PETCO - PET Plastic Recycling South Africa. To celebrate their 12th year of operating in the Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) plastic recycling industry, key role-players in … [Read more...]
74 year old man cycles for climate justice
9 countries. One million signatures. Thousands of kilometres. This is the We Have Faith – Act Now for Climate Justice cycling caravan’s objective, as COP21 in Paris draws close. Victor Coutries, or Tata Victor as he is known to his fellow cyclists, is cycling from Nkomazi, Mpumalanga to Lobatse, Botswana, in the name of climate justice. As part of the We Have Faith – Act … [Read more...]
Southern African leaders meet as region faces food crisis
The leaders of 15 southern African countries gathered last week for an annual summit as the region grapples with serious food shortages that have left a record number of people needing aid. A toxic mix of erratic rains, abnormally high temperatures and floods have wreaked havoc on farming, writing off the bulk of this year’s crop. An estimated 27.4-million people out of … [Read more...]
R10 million towards zero plastic waste to landfill
Zero plastics to landfill by 2030 is the ambitious target for caring companies in this country. One of the new kids on the plastic recycling block is Polyco, working on the recycling of Polyolefin plastic. Addressing Polyco members and the media during their AGM, Jeremy Mackintosh stated that Polyco has already succeeded in carving out a name for itself since it was created … [Read more...]
Uniting to resolve Cape fishing permit crisis
Southern Peninsula faith leaders and clergy will unite this evening in support of fishing communities in serious crisis in the Western Cape. Date: Wednesday, 12 February 2014 Venue: Holy Trinity Church, Kalk Bay Time: 19h00 On New Year’s Eve, the long term fishing rights in eight fishing sectors expired and led to the fishing industry experiencing a … [Read more...]
One year’s PET recycling saves 75,000 tons of carbon emissions
PETCO’s Annual General Meeting took place on Wednesday, 28 August at the SAB World of Beer in Newtown, Johannesburg. The event was well attended by close on 100 stakeholders, shareholders and friends and was an opportunity for the PETCO Board and Management team to report back on the PETCO model and activities that contributed to the increased recovery and recycling of PET … [Read more...]
The energy facts are in for SA
The facts are clear. Numerous recent detailed reports with peer-reviewed hard facts from experts working within major civil society organisations are now in the public domain. All of them show that South Africa can meet its energy and many socioeconomic needs through renewable energy and energy efficiency. With rapidly developing technological advances, and dwindling water … [Read more...]
Tentative hope for Stellenbosch air quality
A touch of tentative hope in the air surrounds the more than six year long battles in the Stellenbosch area by sensitive residents, who have and are suffering from the ill effects of toxic spray drift from neighbouring wine farms. The event which gave me hope that things will now be moving towards giving effected residents a proper hearing and respite from their troubles was … [Read more...]
