Environmental Studies

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Environmental Studies News

‘Ground-breaking’ projects completed for retail giant

7th July 2023 Water management solutions provider Sewtreat has successfully completed two “ground-breaking” projects at fast moving consumer goods retail giant Pick n Pay's Eastport Logistics Park, in Kempton Park Gauteng. The projects involved the implementation of innovative rainwater harvesting and... →

Eskom’s approved plan to bypass pollution rules hit by appeal

By: Bloomberg 6th July 2023 Environmental activists have appealed against a South African government decision to allow Eskom Holdings to bypass equipment used to reduce sulphur dioxide pollution while it repairs one of its biggest coal-fired power plants. The appeal has been filed to the Department of Forestry, Fisheries... →

Pamsa stresses comprehensive sustainability of forestry, papermaking

By: Cameron Mackay 5th July 2023 Industry association the Paper Manufacturers Association of South Africa (Pamsa) has emphasised the environmental, economic and social sustainability benefits of the local papermaking and recycling industry. Speaking at a roundtable event, in Johannesburg, on July 5, Pamsa executive director Jane... →

Trees used to make paper in South Africa are specifically farmed, as tree growing and paper making processes are audited, certified, and sustainability managed

IAEA approves Japan’s Fukushima nuclear power plant treated water discharge plan

By: Rebecca Campbell 4th July 2023 The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), a specialist agency of the United Nations, announced on Tuesday that Japan’s plan to release treated water, currently stored at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant (NPP), into the sea, was consistent with the IAEA Safety Standards. The... →

Photo by Tepco
IAEA experts at the treated water tank farm at Fukushima Daiichi

S Africa’s green building adoption lags despite benefits

23rd June 2023 The global construction industry accounts for about 40% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Yet, while green building practices have been posited as effective tools to counter the effects of the construction industry on the climate and natural environment, and are gaining traction globally,... →

Ecological practices ensure ‘greener’ future

By: Simone Liedtke 23rd June 2023 With a commitment to zero-defect manufacturing and an adherence to the European Union Ecodesign Directive – which establishes ecological-design (eco-design) requirements for energy-related products – technology provider Omron aims to contribute to a cleaner environment while maximising long-term... →

GREEN BUILDING DEDICATION Omron’s commitment to zero-defect manufacturing, eco-design directives and sustainable solutions demonstrates its dedication to advancing green building

Meteorologists say drought not an inevitable outcome of El Niño

By: Darren Parker 20th June 2023 Researchers in South Africa and around the globe have indicated that the regular monitoring of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (Enso) system suggests a strong El Niño is currently developing. However, climate experts have cautioned against assuming that drought is inevitable, as the latest... →

YES empowers youth development in mining

By: Simone Liedtke 16th June 2023 South Africa's mining industry has the potential to be a global leader in driving socioeconomic development and transforming the country, but it is currently hindered by government policy uncertainty, a lack of investment, and administrative obstacles. Private sector-led Youth Employment Service... →

HOST PARTNERS The host partners operate in high-impact sectors such as healthcare, education or conservation

All-electric mixer launched, tested

9th June 2023 Global innovative and sustainable building solutions developer Holcim tested an all-electric concrete mixer truck last month. The eMixer was officially presented to the industry at international trade fair bauma 2022, which was held at Neue Messe München in Germany. →

IN THE MIX The new eMixer being distributed by Putzmeister is 100% electric and thus carbon-emission free

AVEVA reiterates importance of sustainability as the energy transition plays out

By: Marleny Arnoldi 6th June 2023 As the world transitions to cleaner energy systems and industries start to decarbonise, it is vital to keep sustainability top of mind. Software giant AVEVA is seeing many opportunities to aid “green growth” in South Africa and help organisations within reach their sustainability objectives. →

Scatec replants local quiver trees at Kenhardt site

By: Schalk Burger 5th June 2023 Renewable energy company Scatec has undertaken a massive quiver tree planting and replanting operation at its Kenhardt site, in the Northern Cape. The replanting started after the company was awarded the solar project under the Renewable Mitigation Independent Power Producer Procurement... →

Quiver tree replanting at Scatec's Kenhardt site, in the Northern Cape

IFC invests $13m in Africa Conservation and Communities Tourism Fund

By: Schalk Burger 29th May 2023 Development finance institution the International Finance Corporation (IFC) has made a $13-million investment in the Africa Conservation and Communities Tourism (ACCT) Fund to support the post-pandemic recovery and sustainable growth of sub-Saharan Africa’s ecotourism sector. The investment will... →

UAV expo set for September

26th May 2023 The organisers of Commercial UAV Expo, the world’s leading commercial drone trade show and conference, have announced an impressive list of more than 135 top unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) companies globally that have already signed on to exhibit at the upcoming edition. This year's conference... →

Drones used in anti-poaching

26th May 2023 Various technologies, such as tracking tags, closed circuit television cameras and thermal cameras, Wireless Sensor Networks, mobile apps and drones, are being used for intelligence and communications in anti-poaching operations to protect wildlife. However, these technologies bring with them the... →

German developer, research centre form JV

26th May 2023 German developer Wingcopter, an operator of delivery drones, and Hamburg-based ZAL Center of Applied Aeronautical Research have announced a development partnership. Together, they intend to explore the potential of green hydrogen to power Wingcopter's drones, which are already purely electric,... →

3 gents in a facility holding a large white plane like drone

FLY AWAY The Wingcopter already achieves higher ranges and speeds than most competitors' models

Yearly convention will address industry priorities

By: Halima Frost 5th May 2023 Industry body The Road Freight Association’s (RFA’s) yearly convention, which will be held later this month, seeks to attract top executives in the trucking, logistics and warehousing sectors to discuss the industry’s priorities, strategic direction and planned interventions. The event will also... →

Truck Trailer Bus and Bakkie Road Freight Association Convention

A MEETING OF THE MINDS The 2023 RFA Convention will take place at the Fancourt Hotel in George, in the Western Cape, from May 26 to 28

New electric trucks destined for S Africa

By: Halima Frost 5th May 2023 On the back of delivering the first ever heavy electric truck to the African continent last month, global manufacturer Volvo says it will deliver its first FM electric truck tractor to a client in South Africa, in June. The Volvo FM electric range is suited to regional haul operations, such as... →

An emerald and metallic green electric truck manufactured by Volvo has been delivered to Morocco as a continent first

EFFICIENT TRUCKING The first electric truck tractor was delivered to the continent by Volvo in March

CSIR highlights high iron stress on phytoplankton, declining Southern Ocean productivity levels

By: Schalk Burger 4th May 2023 Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) senior researcher Dr Tommy Ryan-Keogh has shared the outcomes of a study that reveals the declining productivity levels of the Southern Ocean, the implications of high iron stress levels on phytoplankton in the Southern Ocean and how this will... →

CSIR senior researcher Dr Tommy Ryan-Keogh

South Africa expects post-Covid increase in emissions, following 20-year decline to 2020

By: Creamer Media Reporter 26th April 2023 South Africa's net greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions decreased marginally by about 0.8% between 2000 and 2020, the eighth National Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report (NIR), released by Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister Barbara Creecy on April 26, shows. Net GHG emissions in carbon... →

Eskom’s plan to bypass pollution controls could kill hundreds, study shows

By: Bloomberg 19th April 2023 A plan by South Africa’s state power utility to circumvent pollution controls at one of its two biggest coal-fired plants to enable it to bolster its generation capacity may lead to hundreds of deaths, according to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA). Eskom Holdings'... →

Eskom's Kusile power station

Ramsar designates 29th South Africa wetland of international importance

By: Schalk Burger 11th April 2023 The Middelpunt Nature Reserve, in Mpumalanga, has been designated as a wetland of international importance by the international Convention on Wetlands organisation Ramsar. The declaration of South Africa's twenty-ninth such wetland has been welcomed by Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment... →

Engineered wood a carbon-efficient material

By: Nadine Ramdass 24th March 2023 The international construction industry is moving away from carbon-producing materials, such as steel and concrete, in favour of more sustainable materials. Engineered wood offers a multitude of benefits, including being a more sustainable and cost-effective material while offering shortened... →

WOOD INNOVATION Engineered wood are more sustainable, cost-effective material, offer shortened construction time and are customisable, stronger and uniform panels

Company’s new furnaces under scrutiny

10th March 2023 Luxemburg-based ArcelorMittal’s path to net zero emissions has come under scrutiny as it starts the construction of a new coal-based blast furnace in India which contrasts with low-carbon steelmaking in Europe and Canada. In a report released last month it was suggested that ArcelorMittal should... →

ArcelorMittal's brazil furnace operations image supplied by Bloomberg

NOT SO GREEN The fact that ArcelorMittal continues to build coal-fired furnaces has come under the microscope

Furnace adaptation can greatly reduce emissions

10th March 2023 Researchers from the University of Birmingham, in the UK, have designed a novel adaptation for existing iron and steel furnaces that could reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from the steelmaking industry by nearly 90%. →

Less than 1% of Earth has safe levels of air pollution, study finds

By: Bloomberg 7th March 2023 It’s no secret that air pollution is a serious problem facing the world today. Just how serious? A new study on global daily levels of air pollution shows that hardly anywhere on Earth is safe from unhealthy air. About 99.82% of the global land area is exposed to levels of particulate matter 2.5... →

Increasing iron stress in Southern Ocean phytoplankton can limit growth

By: Schalk Burger 3rd March 2023 There has been an increase in iron stress in the phytoplankton of the Southern Ocean over a period of 26 years and this raises concerns that it may lead to a decline in the productivity of these microscopic marine plants, which would have a negative impact on the future of Earth’s climate and... →

US scientists show that rapid release of GHGs because of Arctic thaw is unlikely

By: Rebecca Campbell 23rd February 2023 US scientists have concluded that soil subsidence in the huge tundra regions of the Arctic is unlikely to trigger large-scale rapid thawing of the region, with a concomitant release of huge quantities greenhouse-gases (GHGs) into the atmosphere. The scientists were based at the US Department of... →

Umoya Energy paints wind turbine blades to protect birds

By: Schalk Burger 20th February 2023 The Umoya Energy Wind Farm situated on the West Coast, in the Western Cape, has painted the blades of its wind turbines as a mitigation measure to conserve avifauna. Blade painting entails the painting of one of the three blades on a wind turbine black or red. The effect of the single painted... →

A painted wind turbine at the Umoya Energy Wind Farm

Substantial stock moved through largest branch

By: Halima Frost 17th February 2023 Lubricants manufacturer FUCHS Lubricants South Africa reports that almost 1 000 different products moved through its Durban, KwaZulu-Natal branch last year. The Durban branch, the largest in the FUCHS group, spans more than 1 450 m2 and has 15 staff members comprising permanent and contract workers. →

The Fuchs Lubricants warehouse in Durban

HIGH DEMAND FUCHS Lubricants Durban branch boast a substantial stock and sales footprint through the southern part of South Africa

DFFE clarifies coastal waters discharge permit responsibilities as calls to appeal Cape Town permits increase

By: Schalk Burger 13th February 2023 The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) says the Coastal Waters Discharge Permits (CWDPs) issued to the City iof Cape Town were preceded by marine-impact assessment studies that indicated that there is no immediate ecological disaster or major risks to human health... →

Eskom air pollution puts almost 80 000 lives at risk, study says

By: Bloomberg 9th February 2023 Air pollution from coal-fired power plants run by South Africa’s Eskom Holdings risks killing 79 500 people from 2025 until they are due to be shut, according to a study submitted to a government-appointed panel. The research by the Finland-based Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air... →

US, SA partner to combat wildlife trafficking

By: Sane Dhlamini 25th January 2023 Following talks between South African officials and US Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen relating to combatting illicit finance linked to the illegal wildlife trade, a task force has been formed. Yellen said to protect wildlife populations from further poaching and to disrupt the associated... →

EBRU’s systems to be used commercially

By: Nadine Ramdass 20th January 2023 Rhodes University’s Institute for Environmental Biotechnology’s (EBRU’s) ongoing research on nature-based water treatment solutions has showcased two possible systems for commercial use that can potentially treat waste water more efficiently while minimising negative environmental impacts. The... →

An image of Rhodes University’s Institute for Environmental Biotechnology director Professor Keith Cowan

Photo by Dirk Pieters
KEITH COWAN Two nature-based systems can potentially treat waste water more efficiently while minimising negative environmental impacts

Rare orange Sandveld lizard rediscovered on the West Coast

By: Darren Parker 13th January 2023 The Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) and collaborators from the South African National Biodiversity Institute and Bayworld Museum have rediscovered the rare Orange Sandveld Lizard, or nucras aurantiaca, during surveys in December last year. The lizard has only been recorded twice, with the last... →

Photo by EWT
Orange Sandveld Lizard

AfDB, WWF launch biodiversity report

By: Donna Slater 14th December 2022 The African Development Bank (AfDB) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) have launched a regional report on the performance of African countries under the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011 – 2020. The report highlights the important role that multilateral development banks can play in... →

WWF calls for business, nature platform in Africa to link dependency, custodianship

By: Schalk Burger 29th November 2022 Global conservation organisation the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Africa regional director Alice Ruhweza has called for WWF Africa and its partners to set up a business and nature platform through which businesses can help shape robust climate policies and advocate for nature. About half of... →

How SA is using spatial data technology for coastal and oceans monitoring

By: Natasha Odendaal 25th November 2022 A Council for Scientific and Industrial Research- (CSIR-) implemented Oceans and Coast monitoring programme is proving to be successful, and, as the multistakeholder programme embarks on its next phase, it aims to make an even bigger impact. The system was conceptualised by the Department of... →

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