Environmental | Policy & Enforcement

https://staging1.creamermedia.com

Advertise on this page? Click Here to Learn More

Policy & Enforcement News

Opinion: Pollution in the Vaal Triangle – progress, but more must be done

2nd May 2024 In this article, ArcelorMittal South Africa (AMSA) CEO Kobus Verster writes that industry across the Vaal Triangle, together with responsible corporate citizens in the steel industry, must constantly improve their overall environmental performance above and beyond air quality indicators. →

Unctad calls for innovative investment strategies as global crises fracture foreign investment

By: Sabrina Jardim 23rd April 2024 Amid the complex landscape of global foreign direct investment (FDI), the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (Unctad) has called for innovative investment strategies to foster inclusive and sustainable economic growth. In its report titled ‘Global Economic Fracturing and Shifting... →

South Africa seeks to secure global plastics pollution treaty by balancing competing interests – Creecy

By: Schalk Burger 12th April 2024 South Africa will seek to secure a legally binding global plastics pollution and marine litter treaty in negotiations at upcoming global meetings by balancing competing demands, Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister Barbara Creecy told the media on April 12. The Department of Forestry,... →

Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister Barbara Creecy

Eskom aims to keep breakdowns below 14 GW this winter as it cuts diesel budget

By: Terence Creamer 9th April 2024 State-owned electricity utility Eskom will reduce planned maintenance to 3 000 MW during the upcoming winter season and will seek to keep unplanned breakdowns to below 14 000 MW in a bid to navigate the high-demand period with limited loadshedding. During the summer period, from September to the... →

Photo by Creamer Media
Eskom to ramp down planned maintenance to 3 000 MW in winter

Woolworths pilots the removal of plastic barrier bags at 12 stores

By: Sabrina Jardim 9th April 2024 Food and clothing retailer Woolworths has launched a 12-store trial to remove plastic barrier bags from its stores. Starting on April 8 in four Western Cape-based stores, namely Table Bay Mall, Waterstone Village, Plattekloof Village and Palmyra Junction, the eight-week trial will extend on April... →

Sasol granted permission to use load-based limit to regulate SO2 emissions from Secunda boilers

By: Terence Creamer 8th April 2024 Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister Barbara Creecy has granted Sasol South Africa permission to employ a load-based limit to regulate the sulphur dioxide (SO2) of its Secunda boilers in a decision upholding the JSE-listed group’s appeal of an earlier National Air Quality Officer... →

Photo by Creamer Media
Secunda complex

Eskom defends pollution record, saying it’s spending billions

By: Bloomberg 8th April 2024 South Africa’s State power utility, stung by reports about the health impacts of emissions from burning coal, said it’s spending billions of dollars to reduce them and has an ambitious target to reduce output of one of its most dangerous pollutants. Eskom Holdings said it’s committed to a... →

Sustainability trend creates opportunities for paper producers

29th March 2024 The pulp and paper manufacturing industry holds a meaningful position in the landscape of South Africa's industrial sector, says industry association Paper Manufacturers Association of South Africa (PAMSA). As the backbone of numerous sectors, “its vitality is paramount to South Africa’s economic... →

An image of a paper ream at a paper mill

THE CIRCLE OF FIBRE On average, the country recovers 1.1-million tonnes of paper and paper packaging each year, with 75% to 80% of the fibre going back into local production. More than half of the country’s locally manufactured paper is made from recycled paper fibre

Indaba produces biodiversity economy action plan to address sector challenges

By: Schalk Burger 28th March 2024 The Biodiversity Economy and Investment Indaba, held this week, resulted in the development of a programme of action to address the challenges in the biodiversity sector as part of the National Biodiversity Economy Strategy (NBES). Key interventions identified include sourcing financial support,... →

Indigenous resources must benefit South African communities, says Ramaphosa

By: Sabrina Jardim 26th March 2024 With a global emphasis on sustainability and the effects of climate change becoming more apparent, President Cyril Ramaphosa described the sustainable use of biodiversity as the “pillar of rural economies” across South Africa. In a keynote address at the inaugural Biodiversity Economy and... →

President Cyril Ramaphosa discusses climate change and how indigenous resources can benefit local communities

Creecy stresses importance of protecting the environment while growing the biodiversity economy

By: Sabrina Jardim 25th March 2024 Amid increasing emphasis on sustainability, this year’s inaugural Biodiversity Economy and Investment Indaba emphasises the importance of growing the South African biodiversity economy under the theme of ‘Collective Action for Thriving People and Nature.’ Cabinet recently noted the review of the... →

Barbara Creecy discusses the importance of protecting the environment while growing the biodiversity economy

Campaigns can help maximise water recovery – firm

By: Lumkile Nkomfe 15th March 2024 In light of the recent surge of waterborne disease outbreaks, water shedding, supply disruptions and emerging water scarcity, water-solutions company Talbot positively embraces this year’s Water Week theme of Water For All. This year’s National Water Week is scheduled to take place from March 20... →

An image of a Talbot water treatment plant in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal

Talbot CEO Carl Haycock discussing the water crisis ahead of this year’s National Water Week. Recording: Lumkile Nkomfe. Editing: Shadwyn Dickinson. Recorded 16-02-2024

Company aims to accelerate provision of basic human right

By: Lumkile Nkomfe 15th March 2024 Amid South Africa’s water infrastructure crisis, global water solutions company Xylem says improving public awareness on water scarcity, quality and sustainability remain crucial in fast-tracking collective efforts to safeguard the provisioning of potable water. The company commends the Water for... →

HOLISTIC APPROACH REQUIRED Water connect organisations and the communities they serve. It's not effective to focus only on narrow areas

Firm offers expertise on water use applications

15th March 2024 Global mining consultancy SRK Consulting hails the introduction of the Department of Water and Sanitation’s (DWS’s) Electronic Water Use Licence Application and Authorisation System (E-WULAAS). The company regards this as an important aspect of the water application process. This electronic... →

An image of SRK principal environmental scientist Avril Owens

AVRIL OWENS Structured and agreed upon communication protocols with DWS officials are vital

Private-equity investments could address water challenges

By: Lumkile Nkomfe 15th March 2024 Mid-market private equity firm Agile Capital asserts that investors have a great opportunity to make sizable investments in the water sector and contribute towards the advancement of sustainable water solutions. The firm invests across several industries in South Africa and uses its networks... →

LIZ KOLOBE For the private sector to invest, and to ensure good business principles are implemented, is a win-wi

Bespoke reservoirs could enhance water security

By: Lumkile Nkomfe 15th March 2024 In light of the water crisis and the growing demand for water supply in the country, leading solutions-based water reservoir manufacturer Videx asserts that the construction of tailor-made water reservoirs can make a positive difference in addressing the growing challenges. The company says water... →

GROWING DEMAND Videx maintains that the construction of water reservoirs can make a sizable difference in addressing water security

Pipe network needs upgrading – association

15th March 2024 Industry body Southern African Plastic Pipe Manufacturers Association (Sappma) is calling for government to prioritise an investment in plastic pipes as a sustainable solution to South Africa’s water infrastructure challenges. The association highlights its presence as a key player, representing... →

JAN VENTER The intersection of National Water Week, Human Rights Day, World Water Day and Earth Hour, serves as a poignant reminder of the interconnected nature of water, human rights and environmental sustainability

Promoting access through collaboration

15th March 2024 Global water solutions and technology company Xylem is undertaking a strategic collaboration partnership with the African Water and Sanitation Association (AfWASA) to help increase access to safe drinking water and sanitation solutions. The two organisations have a memorandum of understanding... →

Patel meets with EV manufacturers, investors during visit to China

By: Sabrina Jardim 8th March 2024 Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Ebrahim Patel and a high-level delegation recently completed a four-day working visit to Shanghai, Nanjing and Beijing, in China, during which they met with government officials, investors and a number of Chinese electric vehicle (EV) and battery... →

Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Ebrahim Patel and Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao

Eskom says it is on track for permanent repair of Kusile stack by December

By: Terence Creamer 5th March 2024 Eskom insists it is on track to complete the repairs to the ducts in the west stack at the Kusile power station by December 2024, ahead of the March 31, 2025, deadline set by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) when it last year authorised the use of temporary stacks... →

Firm looks to diversify recycled product range, seeks new markets

By: Lumkile Nkomfe 23rd February 2024 Germiston-based rubber recycling company Dawhi Rubber Recycling, which has been in the rubber crumb business for 14 years, is conducting research into new innovations such as tyre-derived fuel, which represents the primary alternative to rubber crumb manufacturing and reclaimed rubber.... →

Oil-water separators can aid regulatory compliance

16th February 2024 Oil-water separators are integral to preventing oil-contaminated water run-off from polluting the ecosystem. It is, however, important to ensure that the correct class of separator is installed in accordance with building regulations. Leading supplier of gravity oil-water separators ColVic CEO... →

VIC HALL ColVic CEO Vic Hall emphasises the importance of consulting with a professional before selecting an oil-water separation system

EAPASA's role as environmental assessment practitioners' registration authority extended

By: Schalk Burger 5th February 2024 Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister Barbara Creecy has extended the appointment of the Environmental Assessment Practitioners Association of South Africa (EAPASA) as the single registration authority for the regulation of environmental assessment practitioners for a further two... →

The Global Reporting Initiative has released a new Biodiversity Standard

By: Rebecca Campbell 25th January 2024 Independent international standards organisation, the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), on Thursday published a significantly updated version of its Biodiversity Standard. This was a response to the unprecedented pressures on nature, with very many species of plants and animals now threatened by... →

Global climate action insufficient to meet 2050 goal of 1.5 °C limit – report

By: Darren Parker 8th January 2024 Global emissions, which are continuing to rise by 1.5% a year, must be cut by 7% every year until 2030 to limit global warming to 1.5 °C, as agreed by countries that signed the Paris Agreement in 2015. This size of emissions reduction is unprecedented, surpassing the percentage of reduced... →

Energy company driving global move to renewables

15th December 2023 In South Africa, global renewable-power producer Scatec has initiated numerous projects under the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme contributing towards a more sustainable energy grid. The company says that as a major player in the renewables space, its role... →

A man in PPE under a Solar PV Panel installation conducting quality assurance checks

THE WHOLE SOLUTION Scatec has successfully contributed to many of South Africa's Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programmes

Increase in reporting of environmental crimes, DFFE reports

By: Schalk Burger 14th December 2023 The 2022/23 financial year saw a 52% rise in the number of complaints reported through various channels to the national, provincial and municipal departments, as well as to State-owned entities, which is indicative of the increase in public awareness of green, brown and blue crimes in South... →

SADC marks 23 years of transfrontier conservation with major conference

By: Rebecca Campbell 12th December 2023 The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) Network reported on Tuesday that its latest yearly meeting had marked “monumental progress” in transfrontier conservation in the region, over the past 23 years. There are currently 12 officially recognised... →

Map of the SADC region showing transfrontier conservation areas in red and proposed areas in blue.

Mixed reactions to passing of NHI Bill

By: Sane Dhlamini 7th December 2023 Business groups Business Unity South Africa (Busa) and Business for South Africa (B4SA) are planning to submit a formal petition to President Cyril Ramaphosa to send the controversial National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill back to Parliament for amendments on the grounds of unconstitutionality.... →

COP 28 to host fossil fuels debate

By: Halima Frost 1st December 2023 This year’s Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, referred to globally as COP 28 and being held from November 30 to December 12 in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), will look to address environmental issues, including decarbonisation... →

A glass glob perched on green moss signifying a global drive to a greener economy

GLOBALLY GREEN The drive to a decarbonised economy will again be addressed at this years Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

Zero tolerance for greenwashing to inform future legislation

By: Darren Parker 29th November 2023 A zero tolerance for “greenwashing” is a sentiment that is likely going to inform much environment- and climate-related legislation as it develops going forward, legal firm Bowmans partner and public law and regulatory head Claire Tucker has said. Speaking at a seminar at Bowman’s offices in... →

In this video, Bowmans partner and public law and regulatory head Claire Tucker discusses greenwashing and its legal implications.

South African construction sector – challenging at present but hope remains

17th November 2023 Amid the slow release of standardised bidding criteria by public sector entities, the South African civil engineering and construction sector is described as being on a “hiatus”, with it being almost impossible for companies to respond to vastly differing bid evaluation criteria, says industry... →

CHRIS CAMPBELL The 2022 preferential procurement regulations do not provide sufficient guidelines to inform public sector entities on how to shape criteria and avoid legal challenges

Municipal Cleaning and Greening Programme launched to tackle illegal dumping

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 10th November 2023 Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister Barbara Creecy on November 10 launched the Municipal Cleaning and Greening Programme, which is aimed at clearing 7 251 illegal dumping hotspots in communities across the country. Speaking at the launch, in the Nelson Mandela Bay metropolitan... →

SA urged to adopt innovation as it confronts big waste management problem

By: Simone Liedtke 20th October 2023 At the heart of South Africa’s environmental discussion is the pressing need to embrace a circular economy, but such a shift demands practical collaboration, inventive thinking and a resolute commitment to sustainable practices. During a Creamer Media-hosted webinar on waste management and the... →

Waste industry can mitigate unemployment

By: Bridget Lepere 6th October 2023 South Africa needs more companies to implement effective waste management systems and principles in their value chains to effect a more circular economy. The country needs a focus on waste beneficiation, looking beyond to products’ next life and the viable use of recycled resources, states green... →

EPR regulations positive for waste reduction

By: Bridget Lepere 6th October 2023 The amended Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations, instituted in November 2020, require product importers and manufacturers in the packaging industry to contribute towards the recycling of product packaging, which has had a significant impact on waste production, says Zero Waste... →

Image of a backhoe loader loading organic waste

DUMP DIVING The Western Cape government implemented a regulation in 2022 to divert organic waste out of landfills by imposing a 50% ban on organic waste dumping to landfills in preparation for a 100% ban in 2027

Recycling economy initiatives create value

By: Bridget Lepere 6th October 2023 Although South Africa is leading the African continent in terms of waste management and recycling, the unauthorised disposal of waste and littering is still rampant, says Zero Waste operations director Hein Fourie, adding that this has led to lower-income groups becoming waste pickers to sort... →

Company Announcements

Astron Energy supports the critical mining sector through innovative solutions

Empowering Economies – Unleashing the Potential of Exhibitions in Driving Industry Success and Economic Growth in 2024

Schneider Electric announces inaugural Global Virtual Open Week – aimed at students, graduates and early-careers professionals

The crucial role of Supply chain finance: Boosting cash flow, reducing risk, saving lives

Eco-innovator acknowledged for contribution to supporting Gauteng’s waste pickers

more

RSS Feed

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