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Policy & Enforcement News

Creecy offers provinces help to process EIAs for 100 MW embedded projects

By: Terence Creamer 18th May 2022 Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister Barbara Creecy reports that she has written to provincial environment MECs to enquire whether they require any assistance in processing environmental impact assessments (EIAs) for embedded-generation projects that could help relieve pressure on the... →

Pollution killing 9m people a year, Africa hardest hit – study

By: Reuters 18th May 2022 Worsening outdoor air pollution and toxic lead poisoning have kept global deaths from environmental contamination at an estimated nine-million a year since 2015 – countering modest progress made in tackling pollution elsewhere, a team of scientists reported Tuesday. Air pollution from industry... →

Elephant trade curbs spur African nations to seek common stance

By: Bloomberg 17th May 2022 African nations from Senegal to Botswana will seek to formulate a continent-wide position on the trade in live elephants and ivory, an attempt to counter restrictions imposed by the United Nations Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, or CITES.... →

Creecy issues call for air quality appeals panel nominees

By: Darren Parker 13th May 2022 Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister Barbara Creecy has initiated the process to appoint an expert panel in terms of Section 3 of the National Environment Management Act, to advise her on appeals related to air quality matters currently under consideration. The Department of Forestry,... →

Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister Barbara Creecy

New infrastructure vulnerable to climate change owing to mismanagement, corruption

By: Darren Parker 10th May 2022 New infrastructure was just as vulnerable to climate change as ageing infrastructure, said South African Local Government Association (Salga) senior climate change adviser Slindile Maphumulo on May 10. She explained that, while ageing infrastructure was vulnerable to being damaged or destroyed... →

Kangnas Wind Farm signs ecological agreement to protect biodiversity

By: Marleny Arnoldi 4th May 2022 The Kangnas Wind Farm, in the Northern Cape, has signed an ecological agreement with the Department of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs, Rural Development and Land Reform, to compensate for any biodiversity impact from the project. The long-term agreement improves the viability of biodiversity... →

UPL proposes releasing contaminated water into South African sea

By: Bloomberg 29th April 2022 UPL has proposed releasing water contaminated by a pesticides spill in the eastern South African city of Durban into the sea or municipal sewers. While the Indian agro-chemical firm said experts it contracted have since late 2021 deemed the water fit for disposal using these methods, the city... →

Act compliance lacking in municipalities

By: Tracy Hancock 29th April 2022 Although the purpose and provisions of South Africa’s National Water Act, No 36 of 1998 and Water Services Act, No 108 of 1997 are prescribed, it is the observance and compliance with the obligations under these Acts that is wanting, says law firm Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr environmental, mining and... →

MONITORING MATTERS The welcomed resurrection of the Blue and Green Drop Certification programme will again give the country insight into the status of its municipal sewage plants

Using sensor data to improve return on investment

22nd April 2022 Since automation is becoming increasingly prevalent across industries, mechanical devices are being replaced by electronic components in manufacturing, industrial and factory environments, says industry software solutions provider Industrial Software Solutions & Support (IS³). This evolution... →

REAL-TIME MANAGEMENT Various sensors and mobile devices provide decision-makers with real-time data on the condition, performance and safety of their assets

Pesticides, batteries and lubricants producer responsibility consultation process starts

By: Schalk Burger 20th April 2022 Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister Barbara Creecy has started a consultation process with regard to the requirement of the pesticides, batteries and lubricant oils sectors to implement extended producer responsibility (EPR) measures. “All producers of the identified products must... →

GreenCape selects ten finalists for its GreenPitch challenge

By: Schalk Burger 19th April 2022 Climate change adaptation and green economy nonprofit GreenCape has selected ten finalists for the 2022 GreenPitch Challenge. The ten green economy innovators will prepare to pitch their innovations to a panel of judges on May 5, at an event hosted by GreenCape in partnership with the City of... →

Prompt build of hydrogen economy needed

By: Sabrina Jardim 15th April 2022 Amid load-shedding, and a reliance on diesel-fired, open-cycle gas turbine power stations being economically unviable, South Africa’s efforts to build a green hydrogen economy should be accelerated, says National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) president Mdu Mlaba. Green hydrogen does not... →

An image depicting white hydrogen energy storage containers with wind turbines and solar panels outdoors

Photo by Petmal
READY, SET, GO Mlaba says local green hydrogen projects should be accelerated to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 and to avoid potential tax penalties

Green hydrogen economy to bring opportunities for S Africa

By: Sabrina Jardim 15th April 2022 Government needs to hasten implementation of policies and execute its investment commitments to enable a local hydrogen economy, says National Society of Black Engineers president Mdu Mlaba. “This is crucial to unlock the green hydrogen economy and the opportunities it presents.” →

An image depicting white and blue hydrogen energy storage containers, a wind turbine and solar panels set outdoors

HYDROGEN OUTLOOK National Society of Black Engineers president Mdu Mlaba says a local green hydrogen economy presents new opportunities

Advocacy groups disappointed by Minister’s leave to appeal Mpumalanga air pollution case

By: Donna Slater 13th April 2022 Environmental justice group groundWork and Mpumalanga community organisation Vukani Environmental Justice Movement in Action (Vukani) are disappointed with Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister Barbara Creecy's decision to apply for leave to appeal parts of an air pollution court... →

UPL pollution control dam at South African chemical depot spills

By: Bloomberg 13th April 2022 A pollution control dam at UPL’s fire-damaged chemical warehouse near the eastern South African city of Durban has spilled following heavy rains. The warehouse was torched by looters in July last year and the fire released a range of dangerous harmful chemicals into the air and nearby... →

DFFE invites public comment on standard for the development of power lines, substations

By: Donna Slater 12th April 2022 The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has opened channels for the public to comment on the 'Standard for the Development of Power Lines and Substations within Identified Geographical Areas Revision of August 2021', which negates the need for environmental assessments in... →

Creecy insists move to appeal Highveld air pollution judgment is not designed to delay regulations

By: Terence Creamer 11th April 2022 Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister Barbara Creecy has moved to appeal parts of a landmark High Court judgment recognising air pollution as a violation of the Constitutional rights of citizens living in the Highveld Priority Area – a 31 000 km2 region that includes parts of... →

Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister Barbara Creecy

Reporting standards, metrics to drive ESG in capital markets

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 6th April 2022 Environment, social and governance (ESG) activity globally this year will likely be driven by the urgency to deliver on the climate policy action points coming out of COP26 and implementation of the Paris Agreement, an ‘ESG Insights South Africa’ report published by Nedbank Corporate and... →

Partnership launched to overcome climate resiliency barriers in energy, water

By: Donna Slater 6th April 2022 A joint project to accelerate South Africa’s energy and water transitions to be more efficient and sustainable – the South African Industry Adaption (SAIA) project – was officially launched on April 5 between the government of Belgium (through the embassy in South Africa – Flanders) and the... →

DFFE welcomes IPCC’s sixth climate mitigation report as guide for a just transition

By: Schalk Burger 5th April 2022 South Africa welcomes the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC’s) sixth assessment report on mitigation and, as South Africa takes a developmental approach to climate action, this report provides valuable scientific information to guide its just transition, says Forestry, Fisheries... →

End of National State of Disaster welcomed

By: Sane Dhlamini 5th April 2022 Democratic Alliance spokesperson Cilliers Brink has welcomed President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement that Cabinet has decided to end the National State of Disaster but cautions against allowing the Health Act amendments to replace it. Meanwhile, Business Unity South Africa said the lifting of... →

Govt ends National State of Disaster

By: Sane Dhlamini 5th April 2022 President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Monday night Cabinet’s decision to terminate the National State of Disaster from April 5 since the terms of the Disaster Management Act are no longer met. Addressing the nation in what has been dubbed the family meeting, Ramaphosa reminded South Africans... →

President Cyril Ramaphosa

Local paper recycling has room to grow – association

By: Cameron Mackay 1st April 2022 Despite the local recycling rate of 70% being above the global paper recycling rate of 59.1%, South Africa can still improve in its treatment of paper waste, states industry body the Paper Manufacturers Association of South Africa (Pamsa) executive director Jane Molony. Through Pamsa’s paper... →

Image of bales of recovered paper from Sappi

Photo by Sappi
STRONG BASE TO BUILD FROM South Africa average paper recovery rate of 70% makes paper the second-most recovered material in the country

Sequestration crucial for local forestry, paper industries

By: Cameron Mackay 1st April 2022 Industry body Paper Manufacturers Association of South Africa (Pamsa) executive director Jane Molony highlights that in the National Treasury’s Budget Review in February, sequestration was recognised to include carbon sequestered in the forest, and carbon stored in harvested wood products, such... →

An image of Mondi's wetland conservation in South Africa

FIBRE-BASED SOLUTIONS A key mitigation measure in local industry is to replace fossil fuels used at the mills with biofuels such as tree biomass residues from plantations

Anti-money laundering task force contributing to local, international arrests for poaching

By: Schalk Burger 25th March 2022 Public-private partnership the South African Anti-Money Laundering Integrated Task Force's (Samlit's) platform has facilitated information sharing that led to the arrest of 12 people and the seizure of 78 rhino horns, ivory and other wildlife products. This follows increased collaboration between... →

Infrastructure investment needed for transition

By: Sabrina Jardim 25th March 2022 Local energy generating sites should be established throughout the country when providing sufficient capacity, says Economic Development Solutions (EDS) head of business development Eckart Zollner, pointing out that this will require substantial infrastructure investment, redesign and... →

Image of somebody replacing the word fossil with the words green energy

Photo by Frank Harms
ENERGY EFFICIENT Zollner says energy efficiency needs to be addressed as much as energy transition

Skills needed to foster transition

By: Sabrina Jardim 25th March 2022 South Africa’s renewable-energy transition requires skills development and the educating of the country’s renewable-energy sector stakeholders, says Economic Development Solutions (EDS) head of business development Eckart Zollner. “In South Africa, there are concerns around an energy industry... →

Image of a smiling man wearing a black blazer, white shirt and glasses

ECKART ZOLLNER Zollner says upskilling and a mindset shift is necessary for a successful transition

World Bank issues $150m bond to help South Africa conserve endangered wildlife

By: Schalk Burger 24th March 2022 The World Bank, through its International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), has issued a five-year, $150-million Wildlife Conservation Bond (WCB) sustainable development bond in support of South Africa’s efforts to conserve endangered species. Also known as the “Rhino Bond,” it... →

Court orders government to clean up air in coal belt

By: Reuters 18th March 2022 A South African court on Friday upheld a complaint by activists that poor air quality in the coal belt is a breach of constitutional rights, giving the environment minister a year to enforce a clean air plan. South Africa's coal belt, east of the capital Pretoria and main city Johannesburg is... →

Eskom's Duvha power station

More than 200 exhibitors expected at expo

By: Theresa Bhowan-Rajah 4th March 2022 Despite Covid-19 placing restrictions on face-to-face events and, consequently, some international exhibitors having to reluctantly withdraw their participation, Africa’s leading packaging, printing, plastics and labelling trade exhibition Propak Africa 2022 is hosting more than 200 exhibitors at... →

visitors at the Propak exhibition on the exhibition floor

OPEN FLOOR Many exhibitors will present live demonstrations of machinery and equipment at their stands

Emphasis placed on recycling

4th March 2022 In response to both consumer and legislative pressures, some of South Africa’s largest retailers and brands are now putting a greater emphasis on the recyclability of their packaging. Law firm Webber Wentzel states that significant volumes of waste are still being diverted to landfill sites,... →

New SAIIA paper highlights IMF's role in supporting South Africa's just transition

By: Darren Parker 2nd March 2022 Global finance organisation the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has an important role to play in supporting South Africa’s just transition away from fossil-fuel dependence, independent think-tank the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) has found. The organisation this week... →

Greenpeace calls on African governments to support resolution to curb plastic waste

By: Donna Slater 28th February 2022 With the fifth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) being held from February 28 to March 2, environmental advocacy group Greenpeace Africa calls on all UN member States to support a comprehensive draft resolution and to adopt further measures to curb plastic waste pollution.... →

South Africa must build resilience to external shocks while decarbonising

By: Darren Parker 28th February 2022 If South Africa were to pursue its own version of a Green New Deal (GND), it would need to decarbonise the economy while building resilience to external shocks and stabilising the economy for all, said Global Institute for Sustainable Prosperity president Fadhel Kaboub on February 25. He espoused... →

A photo of Finance and Fiscal Commission deputy chairperson Michael Sachs

Photo by Oscar Gutierrez
Finance and Fiscal Commission deputy chairperson Michael Sachs

Law firm to provide insight on energy laws

By: Sabrina Jardim 25th February 2022 Law firm Norton Rose Fulbright will participate at this year’s Africa Energy Indaba as a partner, providing a legal perspective on energy sector laws. The global law firm provides a business law service, with an industry focus throughout major key industries, including the energy industry. →

Hand turns dice and changes the expression

Photo by Frank Harms
TRANSITION MISSION Norton Rose Fulbright is participating as a partner at this year’s Indaba to discuss energy storage and the just energy transition

Plastics SA calls for flexible, country-specific approaches at UNEA

By: Schalk Burger 24th February 2022 Industry organisation Plastics South Africa (SA) calls for the special needs and circumstances of Africa to be recognised and for the respective capabilities of each country to be analysed in light of national circumstances at the United Nations Environmental Assembly fifth session meeting (UNEA... →

Creecy welcomes progressive carbon tax increases

By: Darren Parker 24th February 2022 Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister Barbara Creecy has welcomed the announcement by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana that government plans to progressively increase the carbon price every year to reach $20/t of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) by 2026, $30/t of CO2e by 2030 and... →

Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister Barbara Creecy

Mastercard and OPay announce strategic partnership to grow cashless ecosystem and advance digital financial inclusion for millions

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