Environmental Studies

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Environmental Studies News

Is it possible to convert old coal mines into successful farms?

By: Darren Parker 24th June 2022 The rehabilitation of South Africa’s closed coal mines has long been a source of contention among miners, environmental activists and affected communities. Numerous old mines were not rehabilitated at all, while many others were rehabilitated to within only the bare minimum requirements of the... →

Green ratings offer benefits during economic crunch

By: Cameron Mackay 24th June 2022 Premium and Grade-A offices that are Green Star-certified provide an average one-year income return of 8.4, compared to an average of 8.3 for non-Green Star-certified Prime and Grade-A offices, according to the MSCI South Africa 2021 Green Annual Property Index. Further, vacancy rates – based on... →

Image of Redefine Properties chief sustainability officer Anelisa Keke

ANELISA KEKE Redefine has been instrumental in selecting appropriate buildings for certification and recertification, in consultation with our external advisers

WWF report calls for insurers to block high-impact hydropower projects

By: Darren Parker 22nd June 2022 Nonprofit organisation the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has released a comprehensive Insurers’ Guide to Hydropower, which calls for insurers to block high-impact hydropower projects, while offering advice on the assessment and management of the risks posed by hydropower to people, nature and... →

Task team formed to investigate source of sulphur stench in Gauteng, North West

By: Schalk Burger 10th June 2022 The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has established a task team to investigate the complaints about the stench experienced over parts of Gauteng and North West in the past week. "Following complaints about the strong sulphuric smell over Gauteng and parts of North... →

S African coatings event well attended

By: Halima Frost 10th June 2022 This year’s Coatings for Africa 2022 conference, organised by global events organiser DMG Events, was held at the Sandton Convention Centre, in Gauteng, from May 4 to 6. The event was hosted by multinational coatings industry representatives The Coatings Group and supported by industry bodies... →

A man standing at a podium speaking on the topic of coatings and paint development at teh Coatings for Africa 2022 expo held in Sandton last month

HOT TOPIC The Coatings for Africa event was held in Sandton last month after a four year haitus

Stench over Johannesburg sparks government probe

By: Bloomberg 9th June 2022 South Africa’s Environment Ministry is investigating a “stench” that has settled over Gauteng province, which includes the commercial hub of Johannesburg and the capital, Pretoria, this week. The smell, which in the past has been caused by high levels of sulphur dioxide pollution, sparked... →

Congo’s oil block sale threatens carbon sinks, forest pact

By: Bloomberg 8th June 2022 The Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC's)plan to auction oil exploration blocks next month threatens to disrupt some of the world’s most important carbon sinks and could jeopardize a $500-million forest preservation agreement. Some of the blocks, estimated to contain 16 billion barrels of crude... →

SRK completes SADC land outlook to help combat desertification

By: Schalk Burger 7th June 2022 Earth and water resource consultancy SRK Consulting completed a Global Land Outlook (GLO) study focused on Southern Africa on land-water-energy (LWE) systems and nexus points that can be used to leverage progress towards achieving land degradation neutrality (LDN). The ‘Regional Thematic Report... →

SRK partner and environmental consultant Darryll Kilian

Kenyan power lines re-routed to protect flamingos and pelicans

By: Bloomberg 7th June 2022 Kenya’s State-run electricity distribution company is re-configuring power lines to prevent the electrocution of birds such as flamingos, pelicans and cranes. Kenya Power and Lighting Co has re-routed a 33 kV power line outside Lake Nakuru National Park to prevent flamingos and pelicans from... →

UFS calls for mountain biodiversity research support

By: Marleny Arnoldi 1st June 2022 The University of the Free State (UFS) has called for facilitation and support for mountain biodiversity research. UFS Afromontane research director Dr Ralph Clark made this plea during the Southern African Mountain Conference 2022, which was held in the Maloti-Drakensberg in mid-March. →

Shell, Mantashe's lawyers defend environmental plan for seismic blasting

By: News24Wire 1st June 2022 Both Shell and Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy Gwede Mantashe's lawyers assert that an environmental management plan for the proposed seismic survey off the Wild Coast qualified as environmental authorisation, a court heard. A full bench at the Port Elizabeth High Court in Gqeberha on... →

Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy Gwede Mantashe

Shell court case prompts climate protest in Cape Town

By: Bloomberg 30th May 2022 Protesters rallied in Cape Town on Saturday ahead of a court ruling on oil and gas exploration by Shell Plc. Community groups in December won a temporary halt to the company’s seismic survey off South Africa, pending a decision on whether further environmental authorization is needed for the work... →

Enlit Africa is back

27th May 2022 Enlit Africa returns to Cape Town as a live conference and exhibition from June 7 to 9 this year, focusing on the current opportunities and challenges in the energy sector – from self-generation for municipalities and gas exploitation to renewable and energy storage solutions for the commercial... →

Tree-boring beetle could cost South Africa $18.5bn

By: Bloomberg 26th May 2022 A tree-boring beetle the size of a sesame seed could cost South Africa $18.5-billion over the next decade as millions of urban trees are expected to die and will have to be removed and fruit, nut and lumber plantations are harmed, researchers estimate. The polyphagous shot-hole borer, which... →

Crocodiles are losing their teeth, and angling is to blame

By: Bloomberg 26th May 2022 A study of 25 Nile crocodiles in Lake St. Lucia, a World Heritage site in South Africa, found that the highest lead concentrations “ever reported for crocodilians worldwide” was due to the ingestion of fishing weights. That lead poisoning -- from when the animals scoop up stones from the lake... →

Nedbank arranges R500m sustainability-linked loan for Old Mutual Property

By: Schalk Burger 23rd May 2022 Financial services firm Nedbank Corporate and Investment Banking (CIB) has coordinated, arranged and structured a R500-million sustainability-linked credit facility for Old Mutual Property to encourage increased consumption of renewable energy as a percentage of Old Mutual Property’s total energy... →

SA Weather Service allocated R100m to ensure 'state of the art' forecasts

By: News24Wire 19th May 2022 The South African Weather Service will be allocated R100-million over three years to upgrade its infrastructure with modern radar technology used in detecting severe storms, says Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries Barbara Creecy. The minister tabled her department's budget vote for... →

Photo by Donna Slater
Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister Barbara Creecy

Global warming made S Africa's recent floods twice as likely – study

By: Reuters 13th May 2022 Global warming made the heavy rains behind South Africa's devastating floods last month twice as likely as they would have been if greenhouse gas emissions had never heated the planet, scientists said on Friday. Flash floods around the east coast city of Durban killed 435 people, left tens of... →

Efficient trucks added to fleet

By: Halima Frost 13th May 2022 Heavy lifting and rigging specialist Lovemore Bros added four new trucks from global truck manufacturer Volvo to its heavy lifting and materials handling fleet. Lovemore Bros heavy rigging manager Shane Hawyes says the benefit of the acquisition is threefold. →

A condenser lift using a hydraulic gantry at a heavy lift job in South Africa

CONDENSED POWER A condenser lift supplied by Lovemore Bros using its hydraulic gantry

Project launched to fast-track energy, water transition

By: Halima Frost 13th May 2022 The South African Industry Adaption (SAIA) project was launched last month to accelerate South African industry’s energy and water transition to a decarbonised, green and inclusive economy, as well as a vibrant job market. SAIA is a collaboration between the governments of South Africa and... →

A photo of Lee-Hendor Ruiters speaking at teh launch of the The South African Industry Adaption (SAIA) project which was launched last month to accelerate South African industry’s energy and water transition a collaboration between the governments of South Africa and Flanders, in Belgium, and the United Nations Industrial Development Corporation

LEE-HENDOR RUITERSThe South African Industry Adaption (SAIA) project was launched last month to accelerate South African industry’s energy and water transition

Tracker technology increases PV efficacy

By: Halima Frost 13th May 2022 The Genius Tracker from solar energy equipment supplier GameChange Solar can increase a solar photovoltaic (PV) installation’s harnessing efficacy by up to 25% as opposed to a static tracking system. The single axis tracker can be installed on slopes of about 7%, “but it could be designed to... →

A long row of solar panels of specially designed Genius trackers supplied by Gamechange solar at an installation in South Africa

TOP TRACKER The Genius Tracker offered by GamChange solar increases harnessing efficiency on a solar panel by about 25%

Two installations prove company’s mettle

By: Halima Frost 13th May 2022 Industrial boiler manufacturer Steam Generation has successfully completed two projects in Africa that highlight its ability to improve energy efficiency and management for clients. “We commissioned a steam generation plant for a notable brewery in Accra, Ghana, in January, which entailed... →

A large 3 000 kg/h burner installed at local food, home and personal care product producer, in Isando,

BIG BURNER Steam Generation has installed two burners for a client based in Isando

African researchers invited to apply for JWO Research Grant

By: Sane Dhlamini 11th May 2022 African researchers are invited to apply for this year’s Jennifer Ward Oppenheimer (JWO) Research Grant, for projects with a focus on the preservation of Africa’s natural environment. The winning project will receive $150 000 in funding support. The deadline for submissions is May 27. →

New infrastructure vulnerable to climate change owing to mismanagement, corruption

By: Darren Parker 10th May 2022 New infrastructure was just as vulnerable to climate change as ageing infrastructure, said South African Local Government Association (Salga) senior climate change adviser Slindile Maphumulo on May 10. She explained that, while ageing infrastructure was vulnerable to being damaged or destroyed... →

Deforestation, forest degradation responsible for 10% of yearly human-made carbon dioxide – report

By: Donna Slater 4th May 2022 A scientific assessment of the Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries (REDD+) policy finds that while REDD+ has provided a “convenient umbrella” for many forest and land use-related activities aimed at reducing deforestation and forest degradation,... →

Kipeto wind project's biodiversity plan offsets potential bird impacts

By: Schalk Burger 26th April 2022 The biodiversity action plan of the 100 MW Kipeto Wind energy project, in Kenya, includes attempts to offset potential impacts on birds through on-site mitigation measures, including the observer-led shut-down-on-demand (SDOD) of turbines. The plant also has off-site raptor conservation... →

Oracle study shows people worldwide and in South Africa prioritising sustainability

By: Schalk Burger 21st April 2022 A study of more than 11 000 consumers and business leaders across 15 countries, including South Africa, found that people are more likely to do business with and work for organisations that act responsibly toward societies and the environment, enterprise software services multinational Oracle... →

Advocacy groups disappointed by Minister’s leave to appeal Mpumalanga air pollution case

By: Donna Slater 13th April 2022 Environmental justice group groundWork and Mpumalanga community organisation Vukani Environmental Justice Movement in Action (Vukani) are disappointed with Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister Barbara Creecy's decision to apply for leave to appeal parts of an air pollution court... →

DFFE invites public comment on standard for the development of power lines, substations

By: Donna Slater 12th April 2022 The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has opened channels for the public to comment on the 'Standard for the Development of Power Lines and Substations within Identified Geographical Areas Revision of August 2021', which negates the need for environmental assessments in... →

Sequestration crucial for local forestry, paper industries

By: Cameron Mackay 1st April 2022 Industry body Paper Manufacturers Association of South Africa (Pamsa) executive director Jane Molony highlights that in the National Treasury’s Budget Review in February, sequestration was recognised to include carbon sequestered in the forest, and carbon stored in harvested wood products, such... →

An image of Mondi's wetland conservation in South Africa

FIBRE-BASED SOLUTIONS A key mitigation measure in local industry is to replace fossil fuels used at the mills with biofuels such as tree biomass residues from plantations

World Bank issues $150m bond to help South Africa conserve endangered wildlife

By: Schalk Burger 24th March 2022 The World Bank, through its International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), has issued a five-year, $150-million Wildlife Conservation Bond (WCB) sustainable development bond in support of South Africa’s efforts to conserve endangered species. Also known as the “Rhino Bond,” it... →

AFD support, expertise delivers innovative solutions to protect, manage Durban’s river systems

By: Natasha Odendaal 15th March 2022 The Agence Française de Développement (AFD) is providing support and expertise to the eThekwini metropolitan municipality to help with the implementation of its Transformative Riverine Management Programme. The pioneering riverine management projects, in partnership with the municipality, AFD and... →

Environmental groups opposed to Richards Bay gas power plant get High Court date

By: Schalk Burger 10th March 2022 Environmental organisations the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA) and groundWork have been notified that their case challenging the environmental authorisation by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) for a 3 000 MW combined cycle gas power plant, in... →

Western Cape adopts new air quality management plan

By: Yvonne Silaule 10th March 2022 The Western Cape government recently adopted the Western Cape Air Quality Management Plan (2021 – 2025), which it says "progressively realises our vision for clean and healthy air for all in the Western Cape”. Western Cape Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning Minister... →

World atomic body reviewing plan to discharge treated Fukushima water into the sea

By: Rebecca Campbell 21st February 2022 A task force of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and other international experts visited Japan last week to gather information and collect water samples, in order to be able to draw up an independent review of Japan’s plan to discharge into the sea treated water from the Fukushima... →

Investment in conserving land, oceans can benefit economies and the environment

By: Schalk Burger 17th February 2022 South Africa has been urged to support the Global Deal for Nature proposal to conserve at least 30% of the world's land and oceans by 2030 at the fifteenth Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the Convention on Biological Diversity, to be held in China, in April and May. Conserving and protecting... →

Policies drive gas interest

By: Halima Frost 4th February 2022 The regulatory environment for environmental policies and decreasing emissions is a key driver when a boiler owner decides to convert to using natural gas as a fuel source, says natural gas supplier Egoli Gas MD Vishal Pooran. “Natural gas-fuelled boiler studies have shown an overwhelmingly... →

A large gas fueled boiler inside a building used in industrial applications

GOING GAS The amount of companies moving to gas fueled burners owing to an increased interest in going green has grown substantially

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