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Climate Change News

Portfolio ensures better efficiency

By: Anna Moross 7th May 2021 Electric variable-speed drives and motors supplier ABB Motion in January released their ACS880LC liquid cooled drives portfolio that can improve overall system efficiency by reducing auxiliary power consumption by up to 10%. →

Digitalisation key to energy efficiency

By: Anna Moross 7th May 2021 Digitalisation is key to addressing the challenges faced in trying to implement energy efficiency initiatives for wastewater treatment plants and buildings, says South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI) data and knowledge management programme project manager Teslim Mohammed... →

WASTEWATER EFFICINECY SANEDI in collaboration with DMRE are working on making wastewater treatment plants more efficient

Project focuses on guidelines for SMEs

By: Anna Moross 7th May 2021 With the second phase of the Industrial Energy Efficiency (IEE) project ending in December this year, National Cleaner Production Centre South Africa (NCPC-SA) IEE project leader Sashay Ramdharee says that, for the remainder of the year, the project will focus on developing sector-specific energy... →

SASHAY RAMDHAREE The focus of the IEE project will be on providing these guidelines for SMEs in the commercial buildings, automotive, metal casting and agricultural processing industries

New unit designed for efficiency

7th May 2021 Industrial products provider, BMG’s new NORD DuoDrive unit, an integrated geared unit that combines the recently launched NORD IE5+ synchronous motor and a single-stage helical gear unit in one compact housing, has been designed for optimum system efficiency. →

NORD DUODRIVE BMG’s new NORD DuoDrive unit - an integrated geared unit that combines the recently launched NORD IE5+ synchronous motor and a single-stage helical gear unit in one compact housing - has been designed for optimum system efficiency.

Energy efficiency digital platform launched

By: Anna Moross 7th May 2021 Leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, Schneider Electric, launched its energy efficient EcoStruxure Automation Expert, its software-centric universal automation system, at the Hannover Messe 2021, which was held online last month. →

ECOSTUXTURE AUTOMATION EXPERT The Ecostuxture Automation Expert is the engine that drives the digital transformation of energy management and automation, and enables the all-digital, all-electric world powered by sustainable, clean and plentiful electricity

Shareholders call on Standard Bank to table advisory resolution on climate risk

By: Simone Liedtke 5th May 2021 Three Standard Bank asset manager shareholders, together with shareholder activist organisation Just Share, have co-filed a nonbinding advisory shareholder resolution ahead of the bank’s annual general meeting (AGM) on May 27. In the nonbinding advisory resolution, the shareholders – which... →

Wits pays tribute to local climate scientist and luminary Bob Scholes

By: Schalk Burger 30th April 2021 The University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) has announced that Professor of Systems Ecology and climate resilience research organisation Global Change Institute (GCI) director Professor Bob Scholes had passed away on April 28. "The distinguished Scholes was of the world’s leading scientists on... →

Professor Bob Scholes

Growing calls for circular economy to be placed at heart of economic recovery

By: Simone Liedtke 30th April 2021 As the world moves from a state of crisis to gradual recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, there is a unique, but narrow, window of opportunity to transform the global economy and accelerate the changes that have long been delayed and are required for genuine transformation. During a keynote... →

South Africa co-hosts COP26 Energy Transition Council dialogue

By: Schalk Burger 29th April 2021 The South African government on April 29 co-hosted the first Energy Transition Council National Dialogue to look at options to support emerging countries to unlock an accelerated energy transition ahead of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26)... →

Ramaphosa emphasises need for action to address climate change challenges

By: Simone Liedtke 26th April 2021 In the ramp-up to the next international climate conference, to be held in Scotland in November, President Cyril Ramaphosa has shared the sentiments of the international community in that the world needs to “dramatically scale up its efforts, raise its level of ambition and support developing... →

Stellenbosch University establishes School for Climate Studies

By: Donna Slater 23rd April 2021 Western Cape-based Stellenbosch University (SU) has established a new School for Climate Studies, which will be officially launched in June, as part of its efforts to tackle the battle against climate change. According to SU research, innovation and postgraduate studies deputy Vice-Chancellor... →

Stellenbosch University research, innovation and postgraduate studies deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Eugene Cloete

Nedbank makes pioneering ‘zero fossil-fuel exposure by 2045’ pledge

By: Terence Creamer 22nd April 2021 South Africa’s Nedbank Group released an ambitious new energy policy on April 22, containing a commitment to reduce its exposure to all fossil fuels to zero by 2045, as well as a pledge to halt all new thermal coal-mine financing by January 1, 2025. Simultaneously, Nedbank said it would scale up... →

Exxaro climate change specialist appointed vice-chair of industry task team

By: Simone Liedtke 22nd April 2021 Diversified miner Exxaro Resources has elected the group’s climate change specialist Dr Lerato Khumalo as vice-chairperson for the Industry Task Team on Climate Change (ITTCC). The voluntary, nonprofit association comprises several local energy-intensive companies across different business... →

Exxaro climate change specialist Dr Lerato Khumalo

Wärtsilä partners with Africa youth entrepreneurship initiative

By: Schalk Burger 22nd April 2021 Energy and marine equipment manufacturer Wärtsilä has partnered with youth entrepreneurship and skills development initiative Ambitious.Africa to foster sustainable development. The partners will connect students, entrepreneurs, start-up companies, financiers and various stakeholders from Africa... →

WEF says sustained incremental progress, resilience important for energy transition

By: Schalk Burger 21st April 2021 As countries continue their progress in transitioning to clean energy, global economic body the World Economic Forum (WEF) says it is critical over the next decade to root the transition in economic, political and social practices to ensure progress is irreversible. The energy transition requires... →

Opinion: South Africa's wind energy sector has role to play in reaching a net zero carbon economy

21st April 2021 In this article, South African Wind Energy Association (SAWEA) CEO Ntombifuthi Ntuli writes about the South African wind energy sector's role on the road to a net zero carbon economy by 2050. Following the release of the Global Wind Energy Council’s 'Global Wind Report 2021', the buzz in the... →

The Klipheuwel Wind Farm in the Western Cape

Carbon emissions set to surge in 2021 as coal rebound eclipses record renewables growth

By: Terence Creamer 20th April 2021 Global energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions could surge by 1.5-billion tonnes in 2021 to 33-billion tonnes, reversing most of last year’s decline caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, as rebounding coal demand in the electricity sector more than offsets record renewables deployments. This... →

Emerging market green debt sales to soar to $100bn billion by 2023

By: Bloomberg 19th April 2021 Emerging market green bond issuance will more than double by 2023 to exceed $100-billion, according to two of the biggest players in the sector. The World Bank’s International Finance Corp. and European asset manager Amundi, who together created the world’s largest green bond fund targeting... →

Gas is the new coal with risk of $100bn in stranded assets

By: Bloomberg 19th April 2021 Natural gas is falling out of favor with emissions-wary investors and utilities at a quicker pace than coal did, catching some power generators unaware and potentially leaving them stuck with billions of dollars of assets they can’t sell. Citigroup Inc. and JPMorgan Chase & Co. are among the... →

Circular economy a key component of South Africa’s post-Covid-19 recovery, says Creecy

By: Simone Liedtke 16th April 2021 South Africa’s post-Covid-19 Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan includes a green economy component, of which the circular economy is a key component, to ensure environmental protection and the sustainable use of the country’s natural resources. “The plan promotes waste recycling, renewable... →

Photo by Creamer Media's Donna Slater
Forestry, Fisheries and Environment Minister Barbara Creecy

White House considers methane-busting vow before climate summit

By: Bloomberg 16th April 2021 The Biden administration is considering singling out methane for significant reductions as part of a pledge to cut greenhouse gases in advance of a climate summit next week, according to two people familiar with the matter. President Joe Biden is already expected to unveil an ambitious goal for... →

Trafigura backs MAN Energy Solutions’ clean engine development

By: Marleny Arnoldi 15th April 2021 Independent commodity trading company Trafigura Group will co-sponsor the development of an MAN Energy Solutions ammonia-fuelled engine for maritime vessels. The fuel-flexible, two-stroke ammonia engine is expected to be commercially available for large-scale ocean-going ships by 2024, followed... →

Labelling of 1 000 profitable cleantech solutions includes eight local products

By: Donna Slater 13th April 2021 The Solar Impulse Foundation has officially reached the goal of assigning the Efficient Solutions Label to 1 000 profitable cleantech solutions from around the world and the list includes eight South African solutions, reports economically viable green economy solutions nonprofit organisation... →

South Africa stands to benefit from green hydrogen production – CDH

By: Donna Slater 13th April 2021 The advantages of green hydrogen technology to meet South Africa’s goals of transitioning to a lower carbon energy sector appear “uncontested”, says law firm Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr (CDH). To qualify as a form of clean energy technology (one that does not contribute to greenhouse-gas emissions and... →

Sasol and Air Liquide initiate first phase of 900 MW renewables procurement process

By: Terence Creamer 13th April 2021 Sasol and Air Liquide have formally announced plans to jointly procure 900 MW of renewable-energy capacity from independent power producers (IPPs) by 2030 and have issued a request for proposal (RFP) through which they aim to procure an initial 600 MW this year. The transaction, the companies... →

Photo by Creamer Media
Power lines in the foreground, with Sasol's Secunda complex in the background

Bank of America triples environmental funding goal to $1tr by 2030

By: Schalk Burger 9th April 2021 Financial institution Bank of America on April 8 announced its goal of deploying and mobilising $1-trillion by 2030 in its Environmental Business Initiative to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon, sustainable economy. This commitment will anchor a broader $1.5-trillion sustainable finance... →

Greenpeace weighs in on AfDB, African leaders’ climate discussion

By: Marleny Arnoldi 9th April 2021 Greenpeace Africa has responded on the matter of the African Development Bank (AfDB) consulting with African heads of State seeking advice on how to accelerate climate adaptation. "Climate adaptation investments are urgently needed for a continent that is expected to experience more intense and... →

IMF launches digital dashboard of climate change indicators

By: Creamer Media Reporter 8th April 2021 The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has launched a new 'Climate Change Indicators Dashboard', which it describes as an international statistical initiative to address the growing need for data in macroeconomic and financial policy analysis to facilitate climate change mitigation and adaptation.... →

Global leaders commit to help Africa adapt to climate change impacts

By: Schalk Burger 7th April 2021 African heads of State and other global leaders have made a commitment to prioritise actions that help African countries adapt to the impacts of climate change through the Africa Adaptation Acceleration Programme. The objective of the programme is to mobilise $25-billion to accelerate climate... →

Opinion: Running out of time to sustain the planet

1st April 2021 In this opinion piece, ocean rower Zirk Botha share his perspective about the planet and our role in its future. →

Zirk Botha arriving in Cabio Frio outside Rio de Janeiro after 72 days at sea.

Treasury seeks comments on proposed carbon offset regulation amendments

By: Donna Slater 1st April 2021 The National Treasury has published draft amendments to the carbon offset regulations, prescribing carbon offsetting in terms of Section 19(c) of the Carbon Tax Act. A public comment period is open until the end of April. →

Global energy leaders say jobs must be at heart of people-centred energy transition

By: Terence Creamer 31st March 2021 Employment creation for workers and communities at the highest risk of disruption as a result of the shift to greater climate-resiliency was identified during a gathering of global energy leaders on Wednesday as essential to ensuring that the transition was not only people-centred but also... →

Western Cape launches e-booklets to fast-track climate change resilience in agriculture

By: Yvonne Silaule 31st March 2021 The Western Cape provincial government has launched e-booklets that will help to fast-track climate change resilience in agriculture. The e-booklet on climate change entitled The Mercury Rises is based on the popular award-winning radio series Die Kwik Styg. The e-booklets are available in the... →

Creecy unveils draft updated Nationally Determined Contribution

31st March 2021 Creamer Media's Chanel de Bruyn speaks to Engineering News Editor Terence Creamer about the draft updated Nationally Determined Contribution unveiled by Environment Minister Barbara Creecy, as well as about South Africa's climate finance targets and the fact that the country is not yet ready to... →

Creecy unveils draft updated Nationally Determined Contribution

South Africa’s draft climate pledge offers quicker emission cuts, but seeks steep rise in yearly climate funding to $8bn

By: Terence Creamer 30th March 2021 South Africa’s draft updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) unveiled by Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister Barbara Creecy on March 30, proposes quicker emission cuts, but also outlines the need for a step change in international climate finance to support the country’s... →

Photo by Creamer Media's Donna Slater
Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister Barbara Creecy

South Africa’s updated climate pledge to be released for comment after Cabinet approves NDC draft

By: Terence Creamer 25th March 2021 South Africa’s Cabinet has approved the country’s updated draft Nationally Determined Contribution in response to climate change, which will be released for public consultation next week. The updated NDC outlines South Africa’s target for limiting greenhouse gas emissions as required in line with... →

Agriculture seen as key just transition enabler in Mpumalanga, but arable land needs urgent safeguarding

By: Terence Creamer 25th March 2021 Transitioning Mpumalanga’s coal-heavy economy to higher levels of agricultural output could help create new businesses and jobs and improve the long-term economic resilience of the province as mines close and Eskom begins decommissioning power stations in line with the Integrated Resource Plan of... →

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