300 organizations from 69 countries have launched a Rivers for Climate Global Declaration calling on governments and leaders attending COP26 to protect river ecosystems and stop using scarce climate funds to finance false climate solutions such as hydropower. Representing the views of civil society, peoples movements, Indigenous Peoples’ organizations, scientists, and … [Read more...]
Concern grows over mega-polluting MMSEZ project
As the world prepares for COP26 (starting on 31 October 2021 in Glasgow Scotland), a small community in the far north of Limpopo province grow increasingly concerned about the potentially devastating impacts of the proposed Musina-Makhado Special Economic Zone (MMSEZ) mega-project. The women of the Mulambwane Community – about one hundred of whom held a peaceful … [Read more...]
African Youth Summit: Our Africa, Our Ocean, Our Future
The Youth for Marine Protected Areas (Youth4MPAs) held the first-ever virtual African Youth Summit in August 2021, an opportunity for over 500 youth from across the African Continent to come together over two days and unpack ocean protection from an African perspective. The summit was conceived by the youth, for the youth, with the objective of designing an inclusive … [Read more...]
Ocean Cleanup heads to the gyre with System 002
The Ocean Cleanup, the non-profit developing and scaling technologies to rid the oceans of plastic, announces proof of technology upon returning to Victoria Harbour with trash collected from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. With this confirmation, the organization will immediately return to the infamous gyre to start cleaning the ocean’s largest accumulation of plastic … [Read more...]
Small business trade opportunities in the Green Deal
Following on from a previous EU funded project that supported green SMME resilience during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, GreenCape partnered with Wesgro, TIPS, Tralac, Trade Advisory and Cleantech to pivot support to local green SMMEs. This was done so that they could continue to build international relationships to secure trade opportunities, despite the travel … [Read more...]
Cape Town receives certificates for energy smart buildings
The City of Cape Town is proud to announce that it has received Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) for three of its municipal buildings. We can only manage what we measure, so EPCs are a critical first step to reducing our energy use. The City is the first in South Africa to achieve this feat. This is good news for customers as more resource efficient facilities make … [Read more...]
Faith communities call for climate justice
It is two weeks before the international climate change meeting, COP26, and faith communities around the world are demanding “compassionate, loving, and just” climate commitments by governments and financial institutions. People of faith have become increasingly impatient that governments, corporations, and financial institutions have not addressed the climate crisis despite … [Read more...]
Supermarket trolley crowned recycled product of the year
A humble supermarket trolley, which most of us use at least once a week, has been crowned the Best Recycled Product of the Year at the South African Plastics Recycling Organisation’s (SAPRO) biennial competition which took place on Thursday, 14 October 2021. The trolley, manufactured by Supercart SA (Pty) Ltd for Pick n Pay and entered for the Consumer & Leisure … [Read more...]
Sleep in luxury with a clear conscience
With so much focus on the critical need to reduce humans’ impact on our planet, increased attention is being paid to reusing and recycling what we make. It is resulting in greater technological advances than were previously thought possible. One advance is in the field of plastic recycling, where plastic waste is being transformed into various fabrics and forms of … [Read more...]
SA recycling sector receives technology boost
Innovative technology to track, trace and record the trading in recyclable materials is being rolled out across South Africa. The move is set to empower recycling SMMEs, strengthen the value chain and promote the economic inclusion of the informal sector. In a move set to revolutionise how recyclable materials are traded, tracked and traced in South Africa, an innovative … [Read more...]
2021 Eco-Logic Awards finalists announced
The 10th annual Eco-Logic Awards hosted by the Enviropaedia will present its second virtual event on 3 November 2021. A highlight of the annual green calendar, the Awards recognise South African businesses, communities, and individuals working toward an environmentally sustainable future. Strategically held in conjunction with the upcoming COP 26 summit in Glasgow, the … [Read more...]
Biodiversity loss driven by world’s largest dam builders
International Rivers has published a report calling attention to the need for the world’s largest dam building companies to take urgent steps to address the increasing scale and severity of their biodiversity impacts. The report, Advancing Ecological Civilization?, examined the biodiversity footprint of the world’s two largest dam-builders, PowerChina and China Three Gorges … [Read more...]
Safe recycling initiative for Kommetjie and Simon’s Town
Residents of Kommetjie and Simon's Town can now make use of a special, safe recycling initiative in their area. This new project, says organisers, will also help the local economy. “We have been working in the area for a number of years already and we understand the unique challenges that residents face in the area when it comes to the safe handling of recycling material. … [Read more...]
