Environmental | Climate Change

https://www.engineeringnews.co.za

Advertise on this page? Click Here to Learn More

Climate Change News

AfDB pledges increased financial support for Mozambique

By: Mia Breytenbach 22nd April 2016 The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has affirmed its commitment to continue supporting the growing Mozambique economy, particularly regarding the country’s energy, agriculture and infrastructure sectors. Leading a team of senior staff to Maputo earlier this month, AfDB president Akinwumi... →

Hulisani says it has R2.5bn project pipeline as it lists on JSE

By: David Oliveira 22nd April 2016 Newly established renewable energy special-purpose acquisition company (Spac) Hulisani listed on the main board of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), earlier this month, taking advantage of investor demand for energy assets in South Africa and Africa. Company CEO Mlungelo Zilimbola... →

17 solar PV plants now commercially operational in the Northern Cape

By: David Oliveira 15th April 2016 The inauguration last month of renewable-energy project developer Solar Capital’s 90 MW De Aar 3 solar photovoltaic (PV) plant, in the Northern Cape, marked the seventeenth solar PV plant to start commercial operation in the province. Energy Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson, who attended the... →

TINA JOEMAT-PETTERSSON The Northern Cape hosts 100% of the CSP and 65% of the solar PV capacity procured in the REIPPPP bid windows

Rules uncertainty curbing Cape Town’s embedded generation enthusiasm

By: Kim Cloete 15th April 2016 Despite hurdles, Cape Town has surged ahead with alternative ways of procuring energy, with more businesses and households generating excess electricity and then feeding it back into the grid. The City of Cape Town was given permission to be a pilot site for embedded generation, with its first... →

Most nuclear waste is not highly radioactive

By: Keith Campbell 15th April 2016 Only a tiny minority of nuclear waste contains the vast majority of radiation produced by such waste. “No less than 96% of the radioactivity comes from just 0.2% of the waste volume,” highlights Arint SA MD François Mellet. Nuclear waste is generally divided into low level waste, intermediate... →

Tesla secures 180 000 orders for new EV in 24 hrs, drives auto sector demand for lithium

By: Henry Lazenby 1st April 2016 Twenty-four hours after launching, US electric vehicle (EV) maker Tesla Motors has secured more than 180 000 orders for its new Model 3 vehicle, making it the biggest driver of potential lithium demand from the auto sector to date. By Friday afternoon, that figure had risen to above 198 000... →

Photo by Reuters
Tesla Model 3

Africa to receive early-warning weather systems

By: Donna Slater 1st April 2016 The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has, in a tender procedure, selected private weather service provider Ubimet to provide equipment and services for meteorological and hydrological early-warning systems that will be supplied to national weather services in developing countries, with... →

Nuclear essential in fight against global warming – World Nuclear Association

By: Keith Campbell 1st April 2016 If the world is to meet the target of restricting global warming to 2 ˚ C by 2100, then there will have to be a substantial increase in global nuclear power capacity. So affirmed incoming World Nuclear Association Chairman Dr Helmut Engelbrecht at the recent Nuclear Africa 2016 conference. →

Educated consultants, surveyors are key in green initiatives

By: Victor Moolman 1st April 2016 Cost consultants and quantity surveyors can play a pivotal role in helping new building projects and decision-makers to make green building decisions during construction, says University of Pretoria Department of Construction Economics quantity surveying programme leader Danie Hoffman. →

GREEN BUILDING Success of green technologies depends on all parties being well informed about their application and benefits

Green techniques, energy management reduce energy demand

By: Victor Moolman 1st April 2016 Correct energy management and using green building techniques can decrease the demand for energy by 30%, says the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA). →

Photo by Reuters
RESIDENTIAL ENERGY SAVING Responsibility of saving energy should be shared by consumers and suppliers

Policy implementation yields green awareness

By: Victor Moolman 1st April 2016 Green building consulting company WSP ∣ Parsons Brinkerhoff, Africa (WSP) believes that green building awareness is likely to increase this year, owing to the implementation of Gauteng Vision 2055. →

ALISON GROVES Using green building techniques can increase creativity and productivity

5.7% decline in half-year revenue for sugar producer

25th March 2016 Agriculture, agroprocessing and sugar producer Tongaat Hulett has noted a 5.7% decline in half-year revenue, generating an operating profit for the 2015/16 sugar season. The sugar season, which runs from April 1 to March 31 yearly has been beleaguered by drought during the current season which... →

Photo by Bloomberg
STRUGGLING MARKET Tongaat Hulett’s various sugar operations’ revenue totalled R5-billion up until September

Plan in motion to manage carbon tax uncertainties

By: Robyn Wilkinson 25th March 2016 Through education, lobbying and research, the paper industry will manage policy uncertainties regarding the inception of carbon tax, says Paper Manufacturers Association of South Africa (Pamsa) executive director Jane Molony. →

Coal baseload bidder expects IPP project evaluation to begin early April

By: Terence Creamer 18th March 2016 One of the two bidders for the first round of South Africa’s Coal Baseload Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (CBIPPPP), Marubeni, of Japan, expects the evaluation of bids to begin in April, following an initial delay in the Independent Power Producer (IPP) Office receiving the... →

IEA’s 2015 carbon audit points to growth-emissions ‘decoupling’

By: Terence Creamer 16th March 2016 A new International Energy Agency (IEA) analysis of global energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions points to a “decoupling” of greenhouse-gas emissions from economic growth, with emissions having remained flat in 2015, notwithstanding global economic growth during the year of over 3%.... →

Photo by Duane Daws
Renewables accounting for around 90% of new electricity generation in 2015

Carbon tax implementation likely in 2017

By: Natasha Odendaal 11th March 2016 After ten years in the making, it was possible that South Africa will implement a carbon tax in 2017, as directed in National Treasury’s Draft Carbon Tax Bill, published late last year, Carbon Check South Africa said on Friday. The process to promulgate a tax on carbon-dioxide-equivalent (CO2-e)... →

The water-energy nexus: Insights into resilient development

11th March 2016 ADVERTORIAL – By Nevenka Ristic How do we ensure that our investments are resilient to climate risks? How do we make climate-smart policy choices against a backdrop of uncertainty? So far, the world has relied on global circulation models that provide information on general climate patterns whose... →

Dr Diejo J Rodriguez

Manufacturer offers alternative prepackaging, processing solutions

By: Nadine James 11th March 2016 The expected increase in food production, in conjunction with challenges, such as water scarcity and economic restrictions, will force the agriculture and food and beverage (F&B) sectors to adapt packaging, and processing practices, to improve performance and reduce operational costs, says... →

Development of biobased carpet backing step towards sustainable flooring

4th March 2016 Global modular flooring manufacturer, Interface, announced in July last year that it had developed the first biobased backing for carpet tiles, which has now passed all European performance and quality tests, including low volatile organic compounds and high dimensional stability. The ‘green’... →

INTERFACE CARPET Interface has now developed the first biobased backing for carpet tiles

Water company helping to combat climate change

By: Lynne Jackson 4th March 2016 With meteorologists claiming that the current drought in South Africa is because El Niño is preventing moisture reaching the sub-Saharan Africa region, water service provider Mega Water states that the country will have to consider decentralised water treatment, the capturing of rainwater and the... →

RUDY ROBERTS South Africa will have to consider decentralised water treatment

COP 21 agreement raises justness concerns

By: Lynne Jackson 4th March 2016 Although Engineering News reported in January that the twenty-first Conference of the Parties (COP 21), held in Paris last December, had been lauded as better than any other international climate change meeting, the media has reported that there has been controversy regarding the justness of the... →

CLIMATE CHANGE
The meeting at COP 21 reached an agreement to keep the global temperature below 2˚C, which was adopted by 187 member nations

Photo by Bloomberg
CLIMATE CHANGE The meeting at COP 21 reached an agreement to keep the global temperature below 2˚C, which was adopted by 187 member nations

Wetlands, water conservation key to environment

By: Lynne Jackson 4th March 2016 With wetlands being essential to the ecosystem, owing to water being a precious resource to mankind, the second annual Flufftail Festival, held last month in Johannesburg, highlighted the need to preserve water, wetlands and endangered waterbirds (especially the rare and critically endangered... →

CLEANING UP WATER RESOURCES BirdLife South Africa's CEO says wetlands are essential to the ecosystem

Water efficiency programme in first stages of development

By: Nadine James 26th February 2016 Recognising the socioeconomic strain caused by the current drought and following the successful implementation of its Industry Energy Efficiency (IEE) project, the national resource efficiency programme National Cleaner Production Centre, South Africa (NCPC-SA) is developing an Industrial Water... →

KEVIN CILLIERS The National Cleaner Production Centre regional manager says that ts new programme will help alleviate South Africa's water scarcity

Water problems will continue – consultancy

By: Nadine James 26th February 2016 Factors, such as climate change and dam sedimentation, as well as a skills shortage in local government, water boards and water utilities, will continue to impact on water security after the drought ends, says civil engineer and consultant for engineering services firm WSP∣Parsons Brinkerhoff... →

PURIFIED? Consultant says that half of all the water treatment facilities are underperforming

Automotive industry highly unlikely to show growth in 2016 – KPMG

By: Simon Sonnekus 19th February 2016 The lacklustre economy, consumers’ desparate financial position and affordability of vehicles are three key areas that will stunt the growth of the South African automotive industry this year, says audit, advisory and tax services firm KPMG. According to KPMG automotive sector partner Gavin... →

GRIM YEAR AHEAD FOR MOTOR INDUSTRY
The weakened economy has made the auto motive market less conducive for buying and even operating vehicles

Photo by Duane Daws
GRIM YEAR AHEAD FOR MOTOR INDUSTRY The weakened economy has made the auto motive market less conducive for buying and even operating vehicles

Below-normal rainfall worsening drought across Southern Africa

By: Natasha Odendaal 12th February 2016 The drought in Southern Africa could become one of the worst on record should the current below-normal rainfall continue, the United Nations (UN) World Food Programme said this week. The El Niño conditions presently being experienced in the region had resulted in a 35-year rainfall low between... →

Aviation emissions standard to come into force in 2020

By: Megan van Wyngaardt 11th February 2016 Following six years of negotiations between governments, the aviation industry and environmental group observers, the International Civil Aviation Organisation (Icao) has designed the world’s first carbon dioxide (CO2) efficiency standard for aircraft. The standard, which would come into force... →

Premier energy event a must for energy businesses

By: Nadine James 5th February 2016 Africa Energy Indaba (AEI) MD Liz Hart says the value of attending the eighth yearly AEI is that industry stakeholders will meet the right people who can decide on energy transactions and implement them. →

DOING DEALS AND TAKING NAMES The Africa Energy Indaba is a great place to liaise with potential clients and create new partnerships

Local governments must play bigger role in energy sector

By: Nadine James 5th February 2016 Local governments, as key decision-makers in urban development and planning, need to be more involved in the development of a sustainable energy sector, says research organisation Sustainable Energy Africa (SEA) director Mark Borchers. →

ENERGY POVERTY Sustainable Energy Africa enables municipalities to implement sustainable energy strategies

Agribusinesses becomes more attractive investment asset class

By: Tracy Hancock 28th January 2016 Agriculture was becoming a preferred investment destination, said financial services group Standard Bank secondary agriculture senior manager Bertie Hamman this week. “By investing in agriculture, you lay the cornerstone of all economic and social upliftment initiatives by helping to ensure that... →

Drought to impact WC agriculture production by 10% – report

By: Megan van Wyngaardt 26th January 2016 The ongoing drought conditions in the Western Cape will reduce animal, crop and horticultural production by as much as 10%, which will have a significant impact on the price of consumer goods, Western Cape Economic Opportunities Minister Alan Winde warns. At a Minister and Members of Executive... →

Shell Eco-marathon winners eye London event in 2016

By: Donna Slater 22nd January 2016 Following its win at this year’s Shell Eco-marathon, BMW Eco Team Pro from the University of Johannesburg (UJ) plans to attract more sponsors for the project to participate abroad, particularly at the 2016 Shell Eco-marathon in London. →

BMW ECO TEAM PRO The BMW Eco Team Pro, consists of engineering students from the University of Johannesburg

City of Cape Town to procure electric buses for MyCiTi service

By: Megan van Wyngaardt 20th January 2016 The City of Cape Town plans to issue a tender for the procurement of electric buses for the MyCiTi service, in line with its commitment to lowering carbon emissions, mayor Patricia de Lille said in a statement published on the city’s website on Wednesday. “Since its inception in May 2010, the... →

W Cape applies for drought relief as national agri losses hit billions of rands

By: Natalie Greve 20th January 2016 Reiterating that the drought is likely to cost South Africa billions in trade losses, as well as result in a 42% decrease in national agricultural production, Western Cape Economic Opportunities Minister Alan Winde has made dealing with the impact of the drought his “foremost priority”.... →

AfriForum launches campaign to support farmers in drought-hit provinces

By: Megan van Wyngaardt 8th January 2016 With South Africa experiencing the worst drought conditions in some 20 years, and the North West, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, Limpopo and the Free State provinces already declared drought disaster zones, renewed action plans have been enforced to assist these areas. Civil rights movement AfriForum... →

US EPA sues VW, Audi and Porsche for alleged Clean Air Act violations

By: Henry Lazenby 5th January 2016 The US Department of Justice on Monday filed a federal court civil complaint in Detroit, Michigan on behalf of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) against German automotive manufacturers Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche, collectively referred to as Volkswagen. The complaint alleged that... →

Food security alert for millions in Southern Africa

By: News24Wire 23rd December 2015 The strongest El Niño weather phenomenon in 18 years is set to cause food shortages for about 6.3-million people in drought-stricken Southern Africa in 2016, a special alert warned this week. The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) issued a special alert on Tuesday, warning that a... →

About

Engineering News is a product of Creamer Media.
www.creamermedia.co.za

Other Creamer Media Products include:
Mining Weekly
Research Channel Africa
Polity

Newsletters

Sign up for our FREE daily email newsletter

Receive daily sector news alerts

More

Subscriptions

We offer a variety of subscriptions to our Magazine, Website, PDF Reports and our photo library.

Subscriptions are available via the Creamer Media Store.

View store

Advertise

Advertising on Engineering News is an effective way to build and consolidate a company's profile among clients and prospective clients. Email advertising@creamermedia.co.za

View options

Subscribe