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Environmental News

Carbon taxes to add further upward pressure on electricity costs, Discovery Green warns

By: Terence Creamer 24th October 2024 South Africa’s disproportionate reliance on coal for electricity generation is poised to add further upward pressure on tariffs by exposing local businesses to carbon taxes that could make up over 35% of their electricity costs by 2034. This finding is contained in research conducted by Discovery... →

German energy expert says energy transition a mistake

By: Darren Parker 18th October 2024 The energy transition in its current form, as a grid-scale build out of wind and solar with the goal to replace oil, coal, and gas, is probably one of the greatest mistakes that humanity has ever made, German-listed commodity company HMS Bergbau Group shareholder Dr Lars Schernikau said at... →

komati power station with solar panels in front

Firm launches 100%- renewable-powered site

18th October 2024 Multinational chemical and consumer goods manufacturer Henkel has achieved what it reports as a ground-breaking sustainability milestone, with its manufacturing site in Nairobi, Kenya, now fully powered by renewable energy. This accomplishment marks a significant step forward for Henkel's... →

An Aerial image of Henkel in Nairobi with soar panels on its roof

MAKING STRIDES The Nairobi branch of Henkel in Kenya has made great strides in being 100% power self sufficient

Cape Town to wrap up desalination plant feasibility study in 2025, first water possible in 2030

By: Irma Venter 18th October 2024 The City of Cape Town (CoCT) has started the feasibility study on the proposed Paarden Island desalination plant, says CoCT Water and Sanitation MMC Zahid Badroodien. The study is being undertaken by a “suitably qualified transaction advisory team appointed through National Treasury’s Government... →

DFFE's first 100 days lays foundation for environmental stewardship and development

By: Schalk Burger 15th October 2024 Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister Dr Dion George and Deputy Ministers Narend Singh and Bernice Swarts have said that, while their first 100 days in office has been "a period of intense learning and engagement", the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has... →

DFFE encourages South Africans to take e-waste to collection points

By: Schalk Burger 14th October 2024 The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) encourages the public to recycle their e-waste and take unused electronics to their nearest e-waste collection points. International E-Waste Day, held on October 14, highlights the importance of responsible and sound management of... →

PwC urges more collective climate resilience action as emissions increase

By: Marleny Arnoldi 14th October 2024 As the global decarbonisation decrease rate was only 1.02% in 2023, falling short of the average yearly decrease of 1.43% between 2000 and 2023 and far short of the required rate of 20% to keep global warming within 1.5 ˚C above preindustrial levels by the end of the century, South Africa is also... →

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

Forestry sector calls for collaboration to build on transformation progress

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 11th October 2024 While the forestry sector has achieved notable progress in transformation over the past 15 years, more needs to be done to ensure the sector is sustainable and creates long-term value for stakeholders and communities. This was the key message from speakers at the Forestry Sector Charter Council’s... →

Forestry Sector Charter Council executive director Khosi Mavimbela expands on transformation in the forestry sector over the past 15 years.

Broad recognition of need for, benefits of, metals industry's transition to a low-carbon pathway, but funding limited

By: Schalk Burger 10th October 2024 Representatives of South Africa's metals and engineering industry and government have emphasised the need to transition the industry to a low-carbon pathway and discussed the benefits this would bring in terms of competitiveness and sustainability. There is, however, also acknowledgement that... →

DFFE international governance and resource mobilisation chief policy adviser Stuart Mangold; Danish Industries project lead Clara Halvorsen; Danish Industry ESG and sustainability senior adviser Dr Vibeke Huge Rehfeld; Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Deputy Minister Narend Singh; and Danish Industry CBAM expert Anna Ipsen Nielson

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... →

Sasol appoints new CFO

4th October 2024 With the aim of driving sustainable value and supporting strategic transformation for the future, integrated energy and chemicals company Sasol appointed Walt Bruns as CFO and an executive director of Sasol, effective from September 1, 2024, following a thorough process considering both internal... →

An image of Sasol CFO and an executive director Walt Bruns

WALT BRUNS Bruns succeeds Hanré Rossouw as CFO and an executive director of Sasol

Solar car event showcases sustainable innovation

4th October 2024 Integrated energy and chemicals company Sasol’s premier solar car event, the Sasol Solar Challenge (SSC), returned for the sixteenth year, with a focus on the blend of innovation, competition and sustainability. This year’s SSC, which took place last month, introduced a new route that takes... →

An image of students watching Sasol Solar Challenge

SPARKING INTEREST The SSC fosters a passion for STEM through interactive activities and educational workshops

NGO launches green investment guide and asset managers highlight their green funds

By: Rebecca Campbell 3rd October 2024 Climate change and human rights non-governmental organisation (NGO) Fossil Free South Africa (FFSA) launched the latest iteration of its online 'Planet A Investment Guide', in Cape Town, on Wednesday evening. (“Planet A” is a reference to Earth currently being the only world on which humanity can... →

Conference discusses importance of defining ESG, establishing good governance

By: Sabrina Jardim 3rd October 2024 While environmental, social and governance (ESG) has risen in prominence globally, the concept has become too broad, opening it up to uncertainty and criticism, Genesis Analytics partner Ryan Short said in a keynote at this year’s ESG Africa conference, on October 1. He argued that ESG,... →

Low-emission hydrogen project approvals double, but demand and cost uncertainties weigh

By: Terence Creamer 2nd October 2024 A new International Energy Agency (IEA) report shows that the number of low-emission hydrogen projects to have advanced to a final investment decision (FID) stage doubled over the last 12 months, representing yearly production of 3.4-million tonnes. These FIDs are split between green-hydrogen... →

Impact of US election outcomes on global climate change efforts ‘overblown’, Olver says

By: Darren Parker 1st October 2024 Fears around what the outcome of the upcoming US Presidential elections will mean for the green energy transition and fight against climate change are somewhat overblown, Presidential Climate Commission executive director Crispian Olver has said. “We're all on tenterhooks for the outcome of the... →

Presidential Climate Commission executive director Crispian Olver

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... →

DWS launches Vaal anti-pollution forum

By: Natasha Odendaal 1st October 2024 The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) is preparing to launch a new forum aimed at mitigating the years-long pollution impacting the Vaal river’s water quality. The Vaal River Anti-Pollution Forum, to be launched on October 3, will be a non-statutory forum comprising various stakeholders,... →

UAE firm signs MoU with PIC to advance South Africa’s mining, green energy, transport and logistics sectors

By: Darren Parker 30th September 2024 United Arab Emirates (UAE) diversified natural resources company International Resources Holding (IRH) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with South Africa's State-owned Public Investment Corporation (PIC) to collaborate on unlocking value across the mining, green energy and transport... →

Woolworths launches in-store denim recycling initiative

By: Schalk Burger 30th September 2024 Food and clothing retailer Woolworths has launched a Denim Drop-Off programme, which will result in donated denim being collected at designated clothing bins located at Woolworths fashion shop till points in 20 stores nationally. The retailer's Taking Care of Business (TCB) Remake programme will... →

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

Eskom showcases recycled coal ash road construction initiative at Kusile

By: Marleny Arnoldi 26th September 2024 State-owned power utility Eskom has showcased how it incorporates recycled legacy coal ash into road construction at its Kusile power station, in Mpumalanga. This first-in-country initiative was launched by Eskom Rotek Industries, which aims to enhance the group’s operational efficiency and... →

Focus on coal miners, power grid as South Africa spends just sixth of climate aid

By: Reuters 26th September 2024 South Africa's donor-funded climate programme has spent just over a sixth of its allotted $11.6-billion, with a focus on expanding the power grid and preventing its coal-mining region slipping into decline as it shifts to renewables, two sources said. A donor and a South African official involved... →

Redisa initiates court action over Waste Tyre Management Plan

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 25th September 2024 Nonprofit organisation the Recycling and Economic Development Initiative of South Africa (Redisa) has approached the Pretoria High Court to review and set aside government’s Industry Waste Tyre Management Plan (IWTMP). Redisa says it has done this as a last measure and with the strong belief that... →

An image showing waste tyres for recycling

Waste tyres offer immense economic potential through processes for re-use in other industries, Redisa says

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... →

World leaders call for investment in clean energy, developing nations seek help

By: Reuters 25th September 2024 World leaders on Tuesday called for far more investment in renewable energy to tackle climate change, with developing nations saying they need financial support to make the transition. Speaking at a Global Renewables Summit, Kenyan President William Ruto made the case for investing in renewables... →

Next round of NDC’s critical test for meeting renewables-tripling goal – IEA

By: Terence Creamer 24th September 2024 The next round of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) will be a critical test for the implementation of the COP28 pledge, made by nearly 200 countries in the United Arab Emirates last year, of tripling renewables and doubling energy efficiency by 2030. This finding is contained in a new... →

South African company is turning its landfills into green landfills

By: Rebecca Campbell 19th September 2024 Turning the landfills it manages into green landfills is a priority for South African waste management group EnviroServ. This was highlighted by group operations director Nico Vermeulen, at the 2024 International Solid Waste Association conference, at the Cape Town International Convention... →

South Africa’s first Just Transition perception survey highlights low awareness and concern over impacts

By: Terence Creamer 18th September 2024 A new South Africa-wide survey shows that, while 62% of respondents support the shift from coal to renewable energy, a striking 65% have never heard of the term ‘Just Transition’. In addition, the majority of respondents expressed concern about possible negative impacts for themselves and their... →

Local waste management company has an inclusive approach to managing landfills

By: Rebecca Campbell 18th September 2024 South African waste management group EnviroServ is committed to an inclusive approach to the management of, and value extraction from, the various landfill sites around the country for which it is responsible. So assured group public affairs and communications head Makgabo van Niekerk, speaking... →

Dump sites need to be converted into green landfills

By: Rebecca Campbell 17th September 2024 In 80% of countries around the world, solid waste is disposed of into landfills and dump sites, notes France-based multinational group Suez’ Waste-to-Energy director Odile Oberti. She was addressing the International Solid Waste Association conference, at the Cape Town International Convention... →

Companies are reaping financial benefits from addressing carbon emissions

By: Schalk Burger 17th September 2024 A quarter of companies worldwide across industries have managed to reduce their carbon footprint and make meaningful financial gains that benefit them and their employees, shareholders and stakeholders, the fourth edition of the 'Carbon Emissions' report published by management consultancy Boston... →

A graph showing the financial benefits achieved by companies through decarbonisation efforts

Executives from Boston Consulting Group and CO2 AI discuss the findings of their co-authored 'Carbon Emissions' report. Video and editing: Shadwyn Dickinson.

RMB assists in complex deal between Metier, sea cable recycler

By: Marleny Arnoldi 17th September 2024 Rand Merchant Bank (RMB) has provided transaction support to private equity firm Metier towards acquiring Mertech Marine. Through its Sustainable Capital Fund II, Metier is focused on investing in sustainable and resource-efficient infrastructure in Africa. →

COP29 leaders unveil climate funding and energy storage goals

By: Reuters 17th September 2024 Less than two months ahead of the COP29 United Nations Climate Summit, the Azerbaijani leadership laid out its plans on Tuesday for what it hoped to achieve, as countries continue to wrestle with how to raise ambitions for a new financing target. The main task for the November summit is for... →

Mukhtar Babayev

Closing dump sites requires working with the local communities

By: Rebecca Campbell 16th September 2024 Dump sites, which were totally open, and landfills, contributed to climate change, by generating significant amounts of methane, which is a greenhouse gas. So pointed out Suez Recycling and Recovery (part of the France-based multinational Suez group) CEO Stephane Heddesheimer. He was addressing... →

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