South Africa’s government delayed the implementation of a planned carbon tax to 2016, while saying it may impose new levies on mining companies to help fund the treatment of acid water seeping from disused gold mines. The National Treasury two years ago said it planned to charge 120 rand ($11) on every metric ton of carbon emitted above a 60 percent threshold from 2014 and … [Read more...]
Energy Department pledges millions for solar geysers
The National Energy Department has pledged about R12 million towards the maintenance of solar geysers installed in Galeshewe in Kimberley in the Northern Cape. This emerged during Minister Ben Martins' door to door visit to the area as part of a tour of energy projects that are currently under construction in the Northern Cape. He also embarked on a public engagement … [Read more...]
Councils slow to spend water grant as protests grow
By the end of December municipalities had only spent R53m or 9% of their R603m allocation under a dedicated grant for water infrastructure, officials of the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry told Parliament on Tuesday. The lack and decay of water infrastructure has resulted in violent protests around the country over the past few weeks, and in some cases people were … [Read more...]
Molewa responds to SA water crisis investigation
Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs Edna Molewa has responded to an Eyewitness News investigation into the state of South Africa’s water crisis. Speaking to 702 Talk Radio’s John Robbie, Molewa says government has adequate resources and will continue supplying communities with water. She says maintaining existing infrastructure is key. “Most of them are things we … [Read more...]
EU proposes 40% carbon pollution cut by 2030
EU policymakers have proposed that the 28-nation bloc cuts its greenhouse emissions 40 percent by 2030 from 1990 levels, overcoming pressure from some member states and other Commissioners for a weaker 35% target. The 40% percent cut in greenhouse gases will be backed by a binding renewables EU-wide target of at least 27%, the European Commission said in a statement. “In … [Read more...]
World Wilderness Congress calls for ‘no-go’ areas for extraction
A Resolution from the World Wilderness Congress, released on 16th December, affirms that World Heritage Sites, Protected Areas, Community Conserved Areas, Indigenous Territories and Sacred Natural Sites, must be respected as “No Go Areas” and protected against mining and extractive industries. It calls on companies to cease mining and other destructive activities within all … [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...]
Waste management bringing sustainability into the mainstream
The PET Recycling Company (Pty) Ltd (PETCO) was proud to play a part in the Better Together Games hosted by Western Cape Government (WCG) on Friday 25 October 2013. The event, hosted at the University of the Western Cape campus, attracted close on 10 000 officials and is one of the most popular and well attended events on the Western Cape Government calendar. This event … [Read more...]
Renewable energy held up by politics
Renewable energy has proven itself and the government should move ahead swiftly with implementation, an environmental organisation has urged. "It has been proven that there are no technical or economic barriers to renewable energy, leaving only the lack of political will as a barrier to RE," Ruth Mhlanga, Greenpeace Africa Youth and solutions campaigner told News24. She … [Read more...]
Government publishes new fracking regulations
Our government seems determined to ensure that fracking for shale gas will happen in this country, despite years of resistance and much evidence of the dangers this action would hold for the environment and for our nation. This week the government published two proposed new laws regarding the environmental regulation of fracking, “which indicates commencement of such … [Read more...]
R15m hemp project goes to seed
A multimillion-rand project launched 14 years ago for South Africa to grow and produce hemp has virtually stalled because of legal glitches, says the government. Ayabulela Ngoqo, the Eastern Cape’s Rural Development and Agrarian Reform Department spokesman, said the project, launched in 1999, had focused on job creation, but in 2006 had come to a halt. Equipment meant to … [Read more...]
UN climate report set to establish ‘global carbon budget’
The UN's landmark climate science report is likely to set a figure on the amount of fossil fuels that can be burnt if global warming is to be limited to safe levels. It could warn that less than a quarter of the planet’s oil, coal and gas reserves can be consumed between now and 2050, and set a worldwide ‘carbon emission budget’. Previous studies have indicated that the … [Read more...]
State intends to go ahead with fracking
In a General Notice, published by the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Bomo Edna Molewa, dated 23 August 2013, there is a clear indication that the state intends to allow exploration for the purposes of shale gas production. The process used to obtain shale gas is colloquially referred to as "fracking". The Minister has also reiterated in a press briefing in … [Read more...]
