Another stellar line-up of conferences, seminars and public lectures took place at this year’s Sustainability Week (17 to 19 June 2014), at the CSIR International Convention Centre in Pretoria. The Tshwane Green Outreach Programme was launched on Tuesday, 17 June 2014 as Councillor Kgosientso Ramokgopa (left), Executive Mayor of Tshwane, explained the city’s vision for 2055. … [Read more...]
Biodynamic Farmers Conference returns to Camphill
The second Annual Biodynamic Farmers Conference will be held at Camphill Farm, Hermanus from 2 - 6 July. This is a civil society, farmer-led initiative aimed at a two year apprenticeship training on biodynamic farms that is accompanied by the internationally accredited Crossfields Institute. Biodynamic farming is practiced throughout the world and is particularly strong in … [Read more...]
Value, grow and sustain at this year’s WasteCon
Delegates attending this year’s much anticipated waste management conference, WasteCon2014, will not be disappointed by the jam-packed programme and event exhibition. The conference hosted by the Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa (IWMSA) will be taking place from 06 to 10 October 2014 at the picturesque Lord Charles Hotel in Somerset West. Waste conscious … [Read more...]
UN Climate Talks Resume in Bonn
United Nations climate negotiations have resumed for a week-long session in Bonn, Germany, from 4 March to 10 March. Last November's annual UN Climate Summit in Warsaw, Poland, ended with weak and vague decisions. The lack of leadership from developed countries, and the backward moves by governments like Australia and Japan, led to an unprecedented walk out by civil … [Read more...]
SA snubs conference on illegal wildlife trade
South Africa was notably absent at a conference on illegal wildlife trade held in the UK last week. Last year, more than 1 000 rhino were poached in SA and at least 86 rhino have been lost to poaching this year, according to the latest departmental figures, released at the end of January. The London Conference on the Illegal Wildlife Trade 2014 was hosted by the UK … [Read more...]
Tackling urban challenges in heart of Winelands
The response to the call for papers has been entirely positive and the Abstract Committee approved more than 60 academic papers for presentation at the 2014 International Winelands Conference. The Programme for workshops on the first two days of the Conference (31 March and 01 April 2014) under the theme "Innovation in Practice" has now been confirmed. These will … [Read more...]
SA solar industry starting to mature
South Africa’s solar photovoltaic (PV) energy industry has started to mature as costs come down and capacity rises. As the nation moves ahead with many of its solar ambitions, the National Treasury said on Tuesday that the Department of Energy’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) had been oversubscribed significantly following the … [Read more...]
Rise of the CCC polluticians
At the dawn of the 21st century’s second decade, 25 832 globe-trotters invade Dodgy City. Staying fourteen days, for the West-Gondwanaland Climate Change Conference. ‘Developing country awarded the CCC,’ the Global Thymes announced, two years before. The famous D.C. International Airport runway points straight at the Fantastic Ocean. Planes take off and land over the sea. … [Read more...]
Environmental crimes the focus of new conference
According to the United Nations Environmental crime is often transnational in nature and involves organized crime activities such as trafficking in natural resources, the illegal trade in wildlife, illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing and illegal exploitation of and trafficking in minerals and precious stones. Environmental crime has fast become the most unpunished … [Read more...]
From linear into circular society
“There is no Planet B. We are all a part of the global market and live on a planet with finite resources. We have the same aspirations and visions but will have to find a unique strategy when it comes to our waste management and recycling challenges.“ This was the message from the first South African and European Colloquium on Recycling that took place in Cape Town last … [Read more...]
Biodiversity conservation in a changing climate
The 2013 International BiodiverCities Conference was a resounding success. Hosted by the beautiful City of Joondalup from 9-11 September, in collaboration with ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability and the Western Australian Local Govern-ment Association, the conference brought together international environmental experts to discuss the topic of addressing biodiversity … [Read more...]
Cities pool knowledge for conservation in a changing climate
Addressing biodiversity conservation in a changing climate by sharing local examples and lessons strenthened the international pool of knowledge at the 2013 International BiodiverCities Conference in Joondalup, Western Australia. The 2013 International BiodiverCities Conference was a resounding success. Hosted by the beautiful City of Joondalup from 9-11 September, in … [Read more...]
UN Climate Change Secretariat announces new members
The United Nations Climate Change secretariat announced the appointment of eight new members to its Momentum for Change Advisory Panel. Through its Momentum for Change initiative, the United Nations Climate Change secretariat provides a public platform to highlight broad-ranging climate change actions that are already achieving impacts on the ground, in addressing both … [Read more...]
