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Environmental News

UN warns of rising levels of toxic brine as more desalination plants are built

By: Simone Liedtke 14th January 2019 The fast-rising number of desalination plants globally, now almost 16 000, quench a growing thirst for fresh water but create a “salty dilemma” on how to deal with all the chemical-laden left-over brine, authors of a recently published United Nations- (UN-) backed paper say. In the paper, the... →

There’s a tiny plastic enemy threatening the planet’s oceans

By: Bloomberg 11th January 2019 Environmentalists have identified another threat to the planet. It’s called a nurdle. Nurdles are tiny pellets of plastic resin no bigger than a pencil eraser that manufacturers transform into packaging, plastic straws, water bottles and other typical targets of environmental action. →

Partnership for Action on the Green Economy conference starts this week in Cape Town

By: Marleny Arnoldi 8th January 2019 Environmental Affairs Minister Nomvula Mokonyane will host, on January 10 and 11, the Partnership for Action on the Green Economy (Page) Ministerial conference at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. She said in a statement issued on Tuesday that hosting the Page conference would... →

Environmental Affairs Minister Nomvula Mokonyane

Greenhouse gas emissions cap poses serious threat, warns activist group

By: News24Wire 20th December 2018 World governments at the UN climate talks in Poland failed to respond adequately to the climate crisis, which would have serious consequences, particularly for Africa, according to 350Africa.org. The regional branch of the global climate activist organisation echoed what many NGOs and experts... →

Global climate pact seen as weak

By: Reuters 18th December 2018 Nearly 200 countries overcame political divisions late on Saturday to agree on rules for implementing a landmark global climate deal, but critics say it is not ambitious enough to prevent the dangerous effects of global warming. After two weeks of talks in the Polish city of Katowice, nations... →

Ministers work around the clock to strengthen global climate deal

By: Reuters 14th December 2018 Ministers are working around the clock to complete and strengthen the rules for making a landmark agreement to combat climate change operational, with one day of talks remaining. Delegates from nearly 200 nations are on a self-imposed deadline to produce a "rule book" to flesh out details of... →

Self-sustaining clean energy system developed

By: Paige Müller 14th December 2018 Sustainable energy specialist Hyson Sustainable Energy – situated in Krugersdorp – has developed and patented a fully self-sustaining, energy-producing tower, says Hyson Sustainable Energy MD Sally Hall. “The Hyson Sustainable Energy ‘Power Tower’, which was provisionally patented just seven... →

Photo by Bloomberg
ZERO EMISSIONS The Hyson Sustainable Energy ‘Power Tower’ allows for the recycling of liquefied carbon dioxide and water used in the energy generation process, resulting in zero harmful emissions

Water monitoring platform one-stop shop for S Africa water intelligence

By: Cameron Mackay 14th December 2018 The website application Mzansi Amanzi (isiZulu translation of Water South Africa), has the capabilities to monitor and provide insight on surface-water resources across South Africa on a monthly basis, says Mark Thompson, the director of the earth observation technology company GeoTerraImage. The... →

THEEWATERSKLOOF DAM WESTERN CAPE Water is going to be the kingpin in just about every decision-making sector

Odourless treatment process produces energy, creates jobs

By: Cameron Mackay 14th December 2018 A new labour-based upgrade for wastewater management plants and acid mine drainage plants below ground – the upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor (UASB) process – can be used to produce potable water and energy while reducing costs and creating job opportunities, says engineering and... →

HYSON CELLS The upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor process is below ground, which allows for natural insulation of the cone structures

DEA launches climate change monitoring app at UN climate change conference

By: Marleny Arnoldi 13th December 2018 The Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) on Friday launched the South Africa Biennial Update Report Explorer (BURE) app on the sidelines of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change conference in Katowice, Poland. The BURE app is part of South Africa’s Climate Change... →

2019 Petco Awards open for nominations

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 13th December 2018 The South African polyethylene terephthalate (PET) industry’s biggest celebration of recycling and waste management excellence, the Petco Awards, are now open for nominations. The awards recognise leadership and future-thinking across the PET industry and beyond in addressing a reduction in, as... →

Big coal wants consumers to pay for fixing its pollution problem

By: Bloomberg 11th December 2018 Some of the world’s biggest fossil-fuel producers are calling on taxpayers to help them kick their pollution habit. The world’s biggest oil, natural gas and mining companies are stepping up their campaign to deploy carbon capture and storage, or CCS, as way to slow global warming. But with a... →

Growthpoint prepares for Cape Town’s planned ban on wet waste at landfills

By: Marleny Arnoldi 11th December 2018 JSE-listed real estate investment trust (Reit) Growthpoint Properties has partnered with Waste Transformers – an organisation based in Netherlands – to leverage end-of-pipeline food waste from the Reit’s shopping malls and to adopt a decentralised approach to organic waste. This comes ahead of... →

Waste Transformer's aerobic digester at Growthpoint Properties' N1 City Mall

Asset managers team up to pressure governments on climate change

By: Bloomberg 10th December 2018 Institutional investors increasingly concerned about climate change have teamed up to ask governments to set tougher policies. A group of 415 investors overseeing $32-trillion in assets has signed a letter asking governments to phase out thermal coal, set a price on carbon emissions and end... →

Regius developing coal-to-liquids, fertiliser project in Mozambique

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 7th December 2018 UK-incorporated company Regius Synfuels is, through its Mozambican subsidiary Regius Synfuels Mozambique, developing an integrated 10 000 bbl/d clean diesel and gasoline and a 409 000 t/y fertiliser project, in the Tete province of Mozambique. The project is registered with the Investment... →

Measures in place to boost the Western Cape economy

By: Thabi Madiba 7th December 2018 The Western Cape economy remains relatively stable despite challenges affecting consumer spending, says Western Cape Economic Opportunities Minister Beverley Schäfer. “The province has recorded good gains in employment, and continues to record the lowest expanded unemployment rate in the country.” →

Beverley Schäfer Growth in the Western Cape economy slowed down over the past years because of the drought that impacted on some of the province’s key sectors such as agriculture and tourism

Delays in biofuel framework hinder industry

By: Paige Müller 7th December 2018 Despite the local sugar industry championing a bioethanol fuel subsidy as a potential method to relieve the burden on sugar through demand diversification, Ethanol Producers Association of Southern Africa secretary, Alf Stevens, suggests that this may not have the timely impact that the local... →

Photo by Bloomberg
SLOW PROGRESS Even if the Biofuels Regulatory Framework is attractive, the first ethanol for biofuel would only reach the petrol blenders by the end of 2021 at the earliest

China’s BRI translating its influence into trade, development and cultural engagements with global South

By: Schalk Burger 7th December 2018 The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which is an infrastructure development and integration initiative championed and mainly funded by China, has emerged as a conduit for translating China's growing influence into trade, development and cultural engagements and partnership with the global South.... →

The $3bn map – scientists pool oceans of data to plot Earth's final frontier

By: Reuters 6th December 2018 For experts in the field of ocean mapping it is no small irony that we know more about the surfaces of the Moon and Mars than we do about our planet's sea floor. "Can you imagine operating on the land without a map, or doing anything without a map?" asked Larry Mayer, director of the US-based... →

EVs to become main driver of battery storage deployment over next decade, says Fitch Solutions

By: Simone Liedtke 5th December 2018 The electric vehicle (EV) market is set to become the main driver of surging battery storage deployment over the next decade, following increasing ambitions by developed and emerging markets to decarbonise their transport sectors, and will have a substantial disruptive effect on how energy is... →

DEA to appoint sulphur dioxide emissions expert panel

By: Marleny Arnoldi 5th December 2018 Environmental Affairs Minister Nomvula Mokonyane will appoint a panel of experts to provide strategic and technical guidance on the effective management of sulphur dioxide from old and existing power generation plants. The decision to appoint a panel comes as a result of the challenges faced by... →

Environmental Affairs Minister Nomvula Mokonyane

Mpumalanga remains under strain as water pollution continues

By: Simone Liedtke 4th December 2018 Residents of Mpumalanga remain concerned about sewage spillages and wastewater challenges. The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has received complaints about alleged sewage spillages and/or the inadequate treatment of wastewater. →

The final frontier: who owns the oceans and their hidden treasures?

By: Reuters 4th December 2018 Ransom-hungry pirates, polar explorers, offshore oil giants - the race for the riches of the world's final frontier is on. From Thailand to Alaska, the battle to tap ever-dwindling resources from minerals to fish is spurring new conflicts over who has the right to the treasures of the deep seas. →

Pollutec covers full spectrum of environmental industry

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 3rd December 2018 Environmental trade show Pollutec concluded a successful fortieth anniversary, in Lyon, France, last week. This year’s event saw an increase in the number of international exhibitors and also hosted three new pavilions – Korea, Hungary and Italy. →

Photo by Tasneem Bulbulia
Display depicting ocean pollution

Germany seeks private funds for climate projects in Africa, elsewhere – newspaper

By: Reuters 3rd December 2018 Germany will unveil an initiative at UN talks on climate change this week to attract more private investment in projects in Africa and elsewhere, Development Minister Gerd Mueller said. Mueller told the RND newspaper network that Germany would "send a strong signal" at the UN climate conference... →

Court sets aside decision permitting mining in protected area

By: Jessica Oosthuizen 30th November 2018 The North Gauteng High Court earlier this month set aside a 2016 decision of former Mineral Resources Minister Mosebenzi Zwane and late Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa that permitted a new coal mine to be developed in the Mabola protected environment, in Mpumalanga. Under the... →

CHRISTINE REDDELL The Centre for Environmental Rights has been continuously campaigning for administrative penalties to be introduced as part of South African environmental law

Alignment of solutions needed for water security

By: Jessica Oosthuizen 30th November 2018 Nature-based and engineering solutions should be aligned and the value of ecological infrastructure must be recognised for water security, says South African National Biodiversity Institute (Sanbi) ecological infrastructure director Mahlodi Tau. In May, Sanbi launched a R90-milllion Ecological... →

COMBINING INFRASTRUCTURE The R90-million water security project seeks to illustrate the complementarity and the support that ecological infrastructure offers built infrastructure

Circular economy presents opportunities for Africa

By: Jessica Oosthuizen 30th November 2018 The circular economy, as a reformative system, presents significant opportunities for Africa to deliver on more inclusive economic growth, which includes job opportunities and the positive environmental practices that are in dire need for sustainable growth, says waste management company... →

Photo by Creamer Media
GROWING SECTOR The waste picker sector is growing and plays a key role in South Africa’s recycling strategy

Company opens new energy and resource recovery facility

30th November 2018 Waste management service provider Oricol Environmental Services earlier this month opened its new resource recovery facility in Cato Ridge, KwaZulu-Natal. The facility has been certified to the international standard ISO 14001:2015. It specifies the requirements for an environmental management... →

RECOVERY FACILITY The Cato Ridge facility is permitted to process hazardous solids, liquids and sludges, which includes solvents, oils and oils sludges, paint sludges, solids, acids and bases

Govt should urgently plan for massive cyclone storm damage in SA - Wits researcher

By: News24Wire 29th November 2018 The South African government should begin to urgently plan to deal with the impact of Category 5 storms resulting from an increase in the severity of cyclone activity in the Indian Ocean. According to Wits University researcher Dr Jennifer Fitchett, these storms are related to the increase in... →

Pollutec off to a resounding start

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 28th November 2018 Burkina Faso Chamber of Commerce GM Martial Tapsoba this week expressed his pleasure at the country being honoured at this year’s Pollutec 2018 – an environmental trade show that attracts thousands of exhibitors showcasing eco-innovations and clean technology solutions. The event, being held in... →

First institutional anaerobic digester launched at NPO’s Johannesburg premises

By: Simone Liedtke 28th November 2018 To promote renewable energy as a cost-effective technology in a world facing the impact of climate change and global warming, the University of South Africa, diversified miner Exxaro Resources and the South African National Energy Development Institution on Wednesday launched its first... →

Photo by Simone Liedtke
The University of South Africa, Exxaro Resources and the South African National Energy Development Institution on Wednesday launched its first institutional anaerobic digester at nonprofit organisation EARTH Centre’s premises, in Johannesburg

EU's climate chief calls for bloc to go for net-zero emissions by 2050

By: Reuters 28th November 2018 The European Union's (EU's) climate chief on Tuesday called on the bloc to aim for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, the most ambitious path in a long-term strategy due to be announced on Wednesday. With President Donald Trump pulling the United States out of international efforts to... →

Nema to ensure mines are held accountable, adhere to legal duties – law firm

By: Simone Liedtke 27th November 2018 The gazetting of the overhauled National Environment Management Act (Nema) will ensure more mines are held accountable and meet their obligations in terms of financial provisioning for environmental rehabilitation, says law firm Webber Wentzel environment and natural resources partner Garyn... →

Webber Wentzel environment and natural resources partner Garyn Rapson

Treasury loses out on more than R1bn in VAT from drought-stricken farmers

By: News24Wire 27th November 2018 The government has lost out on more than R1-billion in VAT from drought-stricken farmers who were forced to cut production after their irrigation water from the Cape supply dams was radically reduced a year ago. Agri Western Cape CEO Carl Opperman said on Monday this was one of the facts he... →

UN goes online for 'most important discussion' of the century

By: Reuters 23rd November 2018 With a virtual summit on Thursday and veteran British naturalist David Attenborough set to represent "the people" at December's crucial climate talks, the United Nations and frontline nations are pushing for more ordinary citizens to tackle global warming. Supported by the world's biggest... →

Large scale erosion control at Pepper Bay

23rd November 2018 A large-scale erosion-control retaining wall to stabilise the existing eroded embankments in the Pepper Bay harbour area on the West Coast was initiated in the interest of public safety by the Department of Public Works. The embankments consist of multiple layers of sedimentation reaching up to... →

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Automation Building Business Defence Efficiency Energy Innovation SECURITY System Systems Technology Design Gas Road transport Waste Water Construction Environment Power Projects Renewable Energy Sanitation Sustainable Africa Energy Indaba Engineering Indaba Industrial Measurement NCPC ... more

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