A special tax incentive to save energy was promulgated on 1 November, but how does that work? We are talking about the “Regulations in terms of Section 12L of the Income Tax Act, 1962, on the allowance for energy efficiency savings.” The allowance is for the purpose of determining the taxable income derived by any person from carrying on any trade in respect of any year of … [Read more...]
Natuur: Menslik. Opkoms van KVK pollutici
Die 21ste eeu se tweede dekade begin. 25 382 wêreldreisigers val Dodgy City binne. Verblyf van veertien dae. Wes-Gondwanaland Klimaatsveranderingskonferensie (KVK). ‘KVK aan ontwikkelende land toegeken,’ het die Global Thymes twee jaar vroeër aangekondig. Die aanloopbaan van die beroemde DC Internasionale Lughawe pyl reguit op die Fantastiese Oseaan af. Vliegtuie styg op en … [Read more...]
Green hotel gets the most out of Earth Hour
It seems that guests are enjoying the eco-conscious reminders Hotel Verde have introduced as part of their holistic, sustainable vision. Not only does the hotel implement a range of green operational practices, but they have recently introduced a weekly Earth Hour that gets guests actively involved in their green thinking. Samantha Annandale, Hotel Verde’s general manager, … [Read more...]
Some companies are taking deforestation seriously
Mars has committed to remove deforestation from all of its products by the end of 2015, a move that places pressure on companies such as Procter & Gamble to set an equally ambitious No Deforestation Policy. In addition, Greenpeace activists today documented ongoing forest clearance and unfurled a giant banner in a palm oil plantation in Indonesia which is owned by … [Read more...]
The secret ‘free’ trade agreement lives
The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) is a highly secretive and expansive free trade agreement between the United States and twelve Pacific Rim countries, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, New Zealand, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, the USA and Vietnam. Despite the global outpouring of opposition to this corporate giveaway, governments around … [Read more...]
Pipes to be heavy metal free by 2015
The SA Bureau of Standards have announced that all PVC pipes manufactured in SA must be free of heavy metals by 2015. It's a great step forward in protecting our environment and workers from heavy metal contamination. General Manager at the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) Certification, Gauteng, Sibongile Dhlamini, confirmed earlier that the technical committee of … [Read more...]
Fossil fuel giants face ‘climate stress test’ at UN summit
The world’s 48 leading fossil fuel companies will be asked to run a ‘climate stress test’ at a summit hosted at UN Headquarters in New York on Wednesday. Fund managers and investors attending the meeting want oil and gas majors to assess how compatible their assets are with global efforts to avoid dangerous levels of warming. US low carbon business group CERES, which runs … [Read more...]
Happiness in a Handbasket
One of the really useful and informative books I came across recently helped me to understand more deeply how our shopping habits impact on our world. Here is my interview with Ute Kuhlmann who wrote “Happiness in a Handbasket – Buy Local, the practical guide.” Elma Pollard: I was a little confused as the title of the book made me think it was about market shopping, but it's … [Read more...]
Microsoft’s sustainability predictions for 2014
2013 was a busy year for sustainability activities: More companies purchased more green energy, we saw advances in wind and solar penetration and efficiency, "natural capital" became a better defined and more prominent phrase, and environmental reporting continued to spread to more companies. 2013 was a busy year for sustainability activities: More companies purchased more … [Read more...]
Doing good is good for business
There is a movement afoot, which is a ray of hope in our very bleak-looking environmental future. The degradation and destruction has gained momentum due to systems created by humans. In our lifetime the consequences are beginning to be felt. We find ourselves at number 99 in a downward spiral. Natural resources are being depleted faster that they can be replenished. “The … [Read more...]
Local companies rank in top five for climate reporting
South African companies continue to excel in the field of climate change reporting disclosure. The CDP’s 2013 Global 500 Climate Report has revealed that 63% of the South African companies in the Global 500 achieved disclosure scores of over 90%. This ranks South Africa amongst the top five countries in the world. The annual CDP Global 500 Climate Change 2013 report analyses … [Read more...]
Awards promote responsible commercial sector in Cape Town
Cape Town’s Energy Efficiency Forum for Commercial Buildings is delighted to announce the award winners for 2013. There were three categories: Single Buildings, Head Offices with Franchises and New Buildings. At an event held on Monday 25 November 2013, attended by over 150 guests, the following companies were Energy Efficiency Forum (EE Forum) Award Winners: Single … [Read more...]
Eskom up for worst corporation award
Eskom is in the running to win the international award for this year’s worst corporation in the annual Public Eye Awards, taking place parallel to the World Economic Forum. The power utility supplies 90% of South Africa’s electricity needs through its 18 coal-fired power stations. Eskom has applied for two-thirds of its coal-fired power stations to be exempt from and/or … [Read more...]
