As Australia continued to come under fire for obstructing international climate talks, civil society groups from across the world introduced a 'People's Communique on Coal' into the UN climate summit that concludes this Friday. The climate talks have been overshadowed by the controversy of the Polish Government supporting a "coal and climate" conference on the … [Read more...]
Eskom apologises for spying on NGOs
Eskom has apologised for using a private security company to spy on environmental bodies at the Medupi power station in Limpopo. In February this year, three environmental NGOs - groundWork, Earthlife Africa Jhb, and Greenpeace Africa quit Eskom's NGO forum following reports that Eskom contracted an intelligence company to spy on the them. After that, thousands of … [Read more...]
Water, wealth and whites
Stretching across the heart of South Africa, the Karoo has stirred emotions for centuries, a stunning semi-desert wilderness that draws artists, hunters and the toughest of farmers. It is now rousing less romantic passions. If energy companies and the ruling African National Congress (ANC) get their way, it will soon be home to scientists and geologists mapping out shale … [Read more...]
Greening your office
What is the first step in bringing sustainability into your office? Green Times was invited to an ‘Office Recycling made Easy’ workshop hosted by Hotel Verde. Corporations play a leading role in implementing more sustainable practices in South Africa. It requires participation by all levels of staff and by practically involving more people there is hope for a shift towards a … [Read more...]
Innovative printing cuts footprint in half
Green innovation really gives us hope for the future. This week we discovered a nifty new way of printing, which saves you half your ink and toner. An organisation with 1000 workstations use up to 240 000 litres of water during the toner lifecycle of their printers. In the same work environment, Ecofont can save you up to 10 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per year. We … [Read more...]
Latest addition to first ‘green precinct’
Nedbank Menlyn Maine, a 4-star rated green property in Pretoria, South Africa’s first ever ‘green’ precinct, was officially opened earlier this month. The property serves as the banking group’s regional head office in Pretoria and is also the third building that Nedbank occupies to achieve the sought after 4-Star Green Star Rating from the Green Building Council of South … [Read more...]
SA’s green building sector gains ground
June proved a bumper month for green building certifications with a total of six new buildings receiving a Green Star SA rating from the Green Building Council of South Africa. This upsurge further substantiates that the green building movement is rapidly gaining ground in South Africa as developers and progressive businesses increasingly embrace sustainable building … [Read more...]
First ever renewable energy banking branch coming
Can you imagine a banking branch that runs entirely on alternative energy – and that in South Africa? If you were under the impression that our country’s green bank Nedbank was only talking the talk, but not walking the walk, I have news for you. Nedbank has announced their intentions to launch the first off grid branch running entirely on renewable energy in Landsdowne, Cape … [Read more...]
SA’s top employers are thinking green
By adjusting company policies to reduce travel and keep buildings greener, organisations can play a significant role in reducing South Africa’s concerning carbon footprint. South Africa is one of the least green countries in the world – in the top 15 for highest carbon emissions; just a few paces behind Japan, the UK and South Korea. The country emits 435 878 000 tonnes of … [Read more...]
Business needs to address environmental threats
UCT professor Ralph Hamann says complex social and environmental problems can only be addressed if business integrates an understanding of their socio-ecological context in strategy making and execution. The Fairtrade movement, which is gaining momentum in South Africa, is part of a shift in the way business is being done in the country that bodes well for the … [Read more...]
Reusable shopping bags to raise awareness & funds
Woolworths introduced a series of Limited Edition ‘Bags for Good’ reusable shopping bags to help raise awareness and funds to aid conservation efforts to help save Africa’s most endangered species. To date, Woolworths has contributed close to R3 million to efforts to save the rhino, cheetah, African painted dog and vultures, all thanks to customers’ support of these Limited … [Read more...]
China announces carbon tax
China has announced it will establish a carbon tax by adding CO2 to the scope of existing environmental levies. A statement published on the Ministry of Finance’s website detailed a series of tax reforms in the country. These included the proposals to bolster existing efforts “to continue to improve and implement tax policy to support energy conservation, environmental … [Read more...]
BP Spill Trial Set To Open In New Orleans
BP put profits ahead of safety and bears most of the blame for the disastrous 2010 spill in the Gulf of Mexico, a U.S. Justice Department attorney charged Monday at the opening of a trial that could result in the oil company and its partners being forced to pay tens of billions of dollars more in damages. The London-based oil giant acknowledged it made "errors in judgment" … [Read more...]
