Environmental Studies

https://staging1.creamermedia.com/

Advertise on this page? Click Here to Learn More

Environmental Studies News

DFFE team monitoring possible HPAI virus on Marion Island

By: Schalk Burger 12th November 2024 The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has said the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) virus is suspected to have reached Marion Island and is possibly responsible for causing mortalities in at least three breeding seabird species. The situation is being closely... →

WWF data shows significant decline in monitored wildlife populations

By: Sabrina Jardim 11th October 2024 The average size of monitored wildlife populations has declined by 73% in the 50 years from 1970 to 2020, global conservation organisation the World Wide Fund for Nature’s (WWF’s) latest Living Planet Index (LPI) shows. The fifteenth edition of the WWF’s biennial flagship publication, the ‘Living... →

WWF South Africa CEO Dr Morné du Plessis, SANParks managing executive: conservation Dr Howard Hendricks and WWF South Africa programme head Dr Deon Nel discuss findings from the ‘Living Planet Report,’ and plans for Vision 2040

South Africa’s emissions to peak in 2024, reach decade low in 2030 – report

By: Darren Parker 7th October 2024 South Africa’s overall emissions will reach their peak this year and will be followed by a downward trend that will culminate in the lowest emissions this decade in 2030, the draft first 'Biennial Transparency Report' (BTR) shows. The BTR, which was published by Forestry, Fisheries and the... →

Deputy environment minister stresses the importance of PPPs in sustainability initiatives

By: Sabrina Jardim 1st October 2024 With climate change, resource scarcity and socioeconomic disparities facing South Africa, adopting sustainable practices can help reduce carbon footprints, conserve natural resources and create healthier, more resilient communities, said Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Deputy Minister... →

Chemicals company unpacks carbon neutrality roadmap

27th September 2024 Multinational chemicals company BASF Performance Materials, the largest chemical producer globally, in August released its strategic roadmap toward achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and highlighted key milestones on its route toward a circular economy. With that in mind, the division, which... →

A Photo of the BASF Chemicals processing plant at dusk

LOFTY AMBITIONS BASF Performance Materials is well on the way to reaching carbon neutrality by 2050

Chemical capture tech makes for better batteries

27th September 2024 Australian tertiary institution the University of Queensland (UQ) announced earlier this month that technology it has developed can remove harmful ‘forever chemicals’ from water so that they can be used in renewable batteries. Researchers at UQ’s Australian Institute for Bioengineering and... →

A photo of Dr Cheng Zhang working on a machine

CHENG ZHANG The polymer chemist is the man behind the development of the technology that can remove harmful ‘forever chemicals’ from water

TNPA puts out tender for LNG terminal environmental-impact assessment

By: Darren Parker 25th September 2024 State-owned Transnet subsidiary Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA), in collaboration with Infrastructure South Africa (ISA) and the Industrial Development Corporation, has approached the market for an environmental-impact assessment (EIA), encouraging interested parties to submit proposals... →

CSIR researcher played important role in global climate report

By: Rebecca Campbell 13th September 2024 The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) on Thursday highlighted the role one of its chief researchers played in the compiling of the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA’s) 2023 State of the Climate Report, which was published last month as a special... →

CSIR Chief Researcher Dr Sandy Thomalla

Great reception for waste event

By: Halima Frost 6th September 2024 One of the greatest challenges facing this year’s International Solid Waste Association (ISWA) World Congress hosts, the Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa (IWMSA), is catering to the overwhelming amount of interest expressed in this year’s event. The event, being organised by event... →

A picture of dignitaries holding up a banner at last year's ISWA 2023 Congress

GAINING TRACTION The ISWA 2024 Congress taking place at the CTICC this year has garnered a large amount of attention already

Company prioritises local sustainability pillars

By: Halima Frost 6th September 2024 As testament to its renewed commitment to sustainability and generating shared value for customers, global waste and wastewater management company EnviroServ has earmarked three key pillars to improve on its sustainability targets. EnviroServ, a SUEZ company, is in alignment with the global... →

A man and woman, in EnviroServ attire and PPE sorting through waste at one of its sites

GETTING SORTED EnviroServ has renewed its commitment to sustainability and waste management with three pillars and refined global targets

South Africa’s pilot carbon capture scheme officially inaugurated

By: Rebecca Campbell 2nd September 2024 The Council for Geoscience (CGS) on Monday announced that the country’s first carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) research site had been officially inaugurated. This marked the conclusion of Phase 1 of South Africa’s pilot CCUS project. However, the inauguration of the site, at Leandra... →

Good progress on air quality frameworks, but implementation needed

By: Schalk Burger 2nd September 2024 South Africa has a robust framework to manage air quality, as well as regulations and standards that serve as a yardstick for measuring and monitoring harmful emissions. The country also follows World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) guidelines and approaches, but national circumstances mean... →

Air pollution near the Duvha power station in Mpumalanga

Fostering global success through diversity

23rd August 2024 In the effort to encourage women’s participation in male-dominated sectors of the economy, global engineering consultancy SRK Consulting asserts that it is vital to start with company values that prioritise personal and professional growth, while embracing the power of diversity. Although SRK... →

NATASHA MOODLEY SRK has provided its staff - especially women - incredible opportunities for growth and development that were previously limited

ESG risk should be integrated into organisational risk processes

By: Sabrina Jardim 23rd August 2024 As emphasis on environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) grows globally, integrating ESG into effective risk management plays a key role in strategy development, panellists noted during a Creamer Media-hosted webinar, titled ‘The importance of integrating strategic ESG risk into... →

ESG Africa Conf – risk processes A panel of experts discuss the importance of integrating ESG into strategic and organisational risk processes in this webinar hosted on behalf of ESG Africa Conference & Expo.

New study evaluates potential for nitrogen interventions to combat climate change

By: Darren Parker 16th August 2024 An international research team has combined multidisciplinary methods to evaluate how nitrogen interventions could improve air quality and reduce nitrogen deposition. The study, published in scientific journal Science Advances in August, found that interventions, such as improving fuel combustion... →

BCG roundtable panellists mull solutions to close Africa’s climate finance gap

By: Sabrina Jardim 15th August 2024 While investments in green sectors in Africa experienced significant growth from 2017 to 2022, despite volatility and macroeconomic risks, a substantial gap in climate financing remains, which must be addressed to accelerate the growth of these sectors, says Boston Consulting Group (BCG). Despite... →

Opinion: Transforming South Africa's manufacturing sector to embrace green and avoid falling behind

By: Creamer Media Reporter 8th August 2024 Transforming South Africa's manufacturing sector to embrace green practices is not just an environmental necessity but a strategic imperative to remain competitive on the global stage, writes Nedbank Commercial Banking national manager Amith Singh, adding that immediate action is needed to ensure... →

Nedbank Commercial Banking national manager Amith Singh

Report shows commitment of companies to establishing ESG strategies

By: Sabrina Jardim 2nd August 2024 Amid a global evolving environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) landscape, the Sanlam ESG Barometer Conference, held on August 1, in Johannesburg, highlighted the current state of ESG across various sectors and how it is shaping business investment decisions. With this in mind, the... →

Krutham impact investing research head Nicole Martens and Krutham executive chairperson Dr Stuart Theobald discuss findings of the 2024 Sanlam ESG Barometer report

Minister attributes drop in rhino poaching to dehorning

By: Thabi Shomolekae 1st August 2024 Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Dr Dion George noted on Thursday a significant drop in rhino poaching during May and June, attributing this to the dehorning of rhino populations in KwaZulu-Natal. George said a national loss of 21 and 22 respectively were reported, compared... →

Dube TradePort to rehabilitate 200 ha of land near its developments

By: Schalk Burger 19th July 2024 Special economic zone the Dube TradePort has acquired more than 200 ha of land over the past five years with the specific purpose of conserving environmentally sensitive land near its development operations. This forms part of a crucial and comprehensive sustainable development strategy, which... →

An aerial view of the Dube TradePort and adjacent land

South Africa storms in Western Cape cause damage to 35 000 homes

By: Bloomberg 12th July 2024 Storms that pounded South Africa’s Western Cape province have led to flood damage affecting more than 35 000 households in the city of Cape Town, Executive Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis said. “We’ve got more than 35 000 families in the city who have suffered some kind of floods damage,” Hill-Lewis... →

Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis

Mining companies, suppliers team up to advance evolving ESG goals

By: Marleny Arnoldi 12th July 2024 The South African mining industry continues to be a key contributor to the fiscus, with local producers and suppliers paying about R14-billion in royalties and R90-billion in taxes in the year ended December 31, 2023, and investing billions of rands in environmental, social and governance (ESG)... →

Venture capital sought to fund atomic rhino poaching deterrent

By: Bloomberg 4th July 2024 A South African startup that’s promoting the use of implanted radioactive pellets to deter the poaching of endangered animals such as rhinos is seeking venture capital support to roll out the project commercially. The Rhisotope Project, which began in 2021, last month inserted the pellets into... →

A rhino whose horns have been injected with radioactive pellets

Eskom to hit CO2 targets despite coal plant extension, CEO says

By: Reuters 28th June 2024 South Africa's state power company Eskom will meet its target to reduce carbon emissions by 71-million metric tons a year by the end of the decade, its new CEO said on Friday, despite scrapping plans to retire six coal-fired power stations by then. But CEO Dan Marokane said Eskom's immediate... →

South Africa risks losing billions pledged for climate finance

By: Bloomberg 25th June 2024 South Africa is risking a $9.3-billion climate finance pact by delaying the closing of a number of coal-fired power plants, a panel appointed by the country’s environment minister said. In an agreement known as the Just Energy Transition Partnership, South Africa won the bulk of the pledges from... →

South Africa sets target for resuming global rhino-horn trade

By: Bloomberg 19th June 2024 South Africa, where 79% of the world’s rhinos live, said it aims to come up with a plan by the end of 2030 to dismantle an almost half-century ban on trading the endangered animals’ horns. The proposal, contained in a draft of the country’s first rhino biodiversity-management plan released late... →

CSIR conducting strategic environmental assessment for proposed Boegoebaai port, SEZ

By: Sabrina Jardim 7th June 2024 The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) says it is leading the strategic environmental assessment (SEA) that is being undertaken for the Northern Cape’s planned green hydrogen production facilities in a proposed new special economic zone (SEZ), as well as a port, at Boegoebaai.... →

Study areas for the Strategic Environmental Assessment for the proposed Boegoebaai Port, Special Economic Zone, and broader Namakwa Region

Photo by CSIR
Study areas for the Strategic Environmental Assessment for the proposed Boegoebaai Port, Special Economic Zone, and broader Namakwa Region

Professor calls for support to grow marine geosciences to understand oceans

By: Schalk Burger 7th June 2024 Prior to the United Nations World Oceans Day on June 8, University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) Professor of Marine Geology and University of Ulster in Northern Ireland visiting Professor Andrew Green has called for more support to grow the field of marine geosciences in South Africa. Ocean... →

Nature-based solutions could accelerate development, social equity – ECA

By: Sabrina Jardim 28th May 2024 Nature-based solutions present a unique way for Africa to accelerate the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2063, while contributing to the conservation of the continent's rich biodiversity, promoting ecological connectivity and enhancing climate resilience, said... →

Wood pushed as viable construction material

By: Halima Frost 24th May 2024 Engineered wood has emerged as a viable alternative to concrete and steel in the construction industry, owing to its low-carbon footprint and technical performance as a structural material, says tertiary education institution University of Pretoria’s (UP’s) Graduate School of Technology... →

A cardboard cut out of the design of a modular building with a hand hovering over it

PROMOTING ALTERNATIVES The use of engineered wood as an alternative to concrete and steel in the construction sector is being promoted by the University of Pretoria

Vaal Water Lettuce invasion signifies need to weed out water pollution

By: Natasha Odendaal 24th May 2024 The Vaal Barrage is now home to an invasive plant species that has had significant negative economic and environmental consequences for the region, and its rapid spread will not slow down without intervention. This has left the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), Rand Water and local... →

Algae offers new carbon emissions solution

By: Halima Frost 24th May 2024 Based on the concept that algae are a carbon-capture powerhouse, Austin, Texas biotech company Reactive Surfaces has invested over $2-million in the research and development of an algae-infused paint and surface area treatment, to not only capture but also sequester carbon emissions. Lichen is a... →

A microscope view of a lichen spore which is a complex life form comprising a symbiotic partnership of two separate organisms; a fungus and an algae

GROWING INTEREST The lichen life form has piqued the interest of paint manufacturers after Reactive Surfaces introduced it to paint to allow for carbon capture

Seminar commemorates World Metrology Day, with a focus on sustainability

By: Sabrina Jardim 20th May 2024 In celebration of the first Unesco-recognised World Metrology Day on May 20, as well as a global emphasis on climate change and sustainability, the National Metrology Institute of South Africa (NMISA) held a World Metrology Day seminar, focused on the theme of ‘measurement science in support of... →

Boiler rebuild to be delivered to biomass power station

17th May 2024 Flow control solutions developer Valmet announced in April that it would deliver a major boiler rebuild to the Steven’s Croft biomass power station in Lockerbie, Scotland in the UK, which is operated by energy infrastructure operator E.ON. The order is included in Valmet’s orders received in the... →

The Steven’s Croft biomass power station in Lockerbie, Scotland in the UK

POWERFUL REVAMP The boiler build being undertaken by Valmet for the Steven’s Croft biomass power station will increase efficiencies and output

Water a hurdle in Africa’s development - expert

10th May 2024 Water scarcity poses a significant hurdle to Africa's growth and development, with climate change and deteriorating infrastructure intensifying the challenges, says advisory and analytics firm Frost & Sullivan consultant Hannro Steenekamp. He explains that South Africa’s ongoing water crisis,... →

A black and white image of a hand under a tap with a trickle of water

WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE BUT... The scarcity of drinkable water is denting the development of Africa as a continentent

Organisers expect record attendance at event

By: Halima Frost 10th May 2024 With ballooning foot traffic, demonstrated by an increase in attendance of 81% from 2022 to 2023, the organisers of this year’s Enlit Africa anticipate a “bumper event that will be attended by global dignitaries and industry leaders”. The Enlit Africa 2024 will be held at the Cape Town... →

A man standing on a podium at last years Enlit Africa Event

TAKING TO THE FUTURE This years Enlit Africa theme – Less Talk, More Action – aims to encourage attendees and speakers to move away from talk in favour of action and implementatio

Cooling company to highlight new concepts

By: Halima Frost 10th May 2024 After two successful webinars that unpacked the use of air-cooled condensers (ACC) for recoverable energy in power generation, thermal solutions specialist Industrial Water Cooling (IWC) aims to address future clients and investors at this year’s Enlit Africa 2024, which will be held at the Cape... →

An air-cooled condensers designed and manufactured by IWC

COOL AS A CUCUMBER According to thermal solutions specialist Industrial Water Coolin air-cooled condensers are the most efficient, green option for cooling

About

Engineering News is a product of Creamer Media.
www.creamermedia.co.za

Other Creamer Media Products include:
Mining Weekly
Research Channel Africa
Polity

Newsletters

Sign up for our FREE daily email newsletter

Receive daily sector news alerts

More

Subscriptions

We offer a variety of subscriptions to our Magazine, Website, PDF Reports and our photo library.

Subscriptions are available via the Creamer Media Store.

View store

Advertise

Advertising on Engineering News is an effective way to build and consolidate a company's profile among clients and prospective clients. Email advertising@creamermedia.co.za

View options

Subscribe