2013 was a busy year for sustainability activities: More companies purchased more green energy, and saw advances in wind and solar penetration and efficiency, according to Rob Bernard, chief environmental strategist at Microsoft.rting continued to spread to more companies.

63% of South African companies in the Global 500 achieved climate reporting scores of over 90%.

Cape Town’s Energy Efficiency Forum for Commercial Buildings is delighted to announce the award winners for 2013.

Eskom has apologised for using a private security company to spy on environmental bodies at the Medupi power station in Limpopo.

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.

What is the first step in bringing sustainability into your office?

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.

Nedbank Menlyn Maine, a 4-star rated green property in Pretoria, South Africa’s first ever ‘green’ precinct, was officially opened earlier this month.

Last month's upsurge in green building certifications is another sign that the green building movement is rapidly gaining ground in South Africa as developers and progressive businesses increasingly embrace sustainable building practices.

Can you imagine a banking branch that runs entirely on alternative energy – and that in South Africa?

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.

It is staggering how little companies, new to the sustainable-business agenda, understand the landscape in which they must operate (and of course I am not talking about the growing ranks of sustainability leaders who have highly sophisticated channels of communication with all stakeholders).

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.

For every one of the bags sold, R10 will be donated to help raise awareness and funds to aid conservation efforts to help save Africa’s most endangered species: rhino, cheetah, African painted dog and vultures.