Africa is on the cusp of a transition into a new energy paradigm, one in which technological and commercial innovation is delivering increasingly decentralised power to the continent in new ways, says consultancy Kearney. Kearney has outlined in a white paper, the overarching strategic https://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/kearney-unpacks-the-decentralised-power-transition-in-africa-2021-10-11

Following chemicals company Sasol’s refusal to table South Africa’s first climate lobbying shareholder resolution, Sasol shareholders Just Share and Aeon Investment Management (Aeon) have co-filed a second nonbinding, advisory resolution ahead of Sasol’s November 19 Annual General Meeting. https://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/sasol-shareholders-file-second-climate-lobbying-resolution-2021-10-08

The Minerals Council South Africa is developing a Net Zero 2050 Action Plan and pathway towards achieving the goal of net zero greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions. The action plan for mining will include the central pillars of increasing the share of investment in renewable energy sources; research, https://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/minerals-council-south-africa-developing-2050-net-zero-action-plan-2021-10-07

United Phosphorus Limited (UPL) had no environmental authorisation to operate its Cornubia chemical factory, nor did it obtain risk assessment and planning permissions as required by environmental and municipal by-laws, a preliminary report has found. Forestry, Fisheries and Environment Minister https://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/durban-chemical-company-had-no-environmental-authorisation-to-operate-plant-report-finds-2021-10-04

South Africa’s “laughably weak and ineffective” carbon tax regime is no disincentive to carbon-intensive businesses, such as integrated chemicals and energy company Sasol, environmental activist organisation Greenpeace Africa climate and energy campaigner Thandile Chinyavanhu tells Engineering https://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/carbon-tax-ineffective-against-major-emitters-2021-10-01

Compared with traditional impact investment vehicles, which tend to be private equity, green bonds provide a “nice balance” in achieving a desired investment impact, environment, social and governance (ESG) advisory firm EBS Advisory CEO James Brice said during the Southern Africa Green Bonds. https://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/green-bonds-provide-balance-to-traditional-investment-vehicles-2021-09-27

South Africa’s cabinet adopted the lower greenhouse gas emission target recommended by a panel set up by President Cyril Ramaphosa. The target, known as the country’s nationally determined contribution, is to keep annual emissions at between 371 and 420 megatons of carbon dioxide equivalent by https://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/south-africa-adopts-lower-emission-target-ahead-of-cop26-meeting-2021-09-20

A new web-based platform, which will showcase green stimulus projects across Africa, has been officially launched. The portal, which can be found at http://agsp.nepad.org/, was unveiled this week by South Africa’s Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister Barbara Creecy in her capacity as https://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/new-online-portal-launched-to-showcase-african-green-recovery-projects-2021-09-17

South Africa’s FirstRand will end funding for new coal-fired power stations and coal mines and has lowered the cap on its coal exposure as part of moves to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, it said on Wednesday.https://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/firstrand-to-end-funding-for-new-coal-mines-power-plants-2021-09-15

A just transition towards net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 offers significant opportunities for a new growth path built on green industrialisation and could provide the anchor for a new “shared vision that binds us”, former Deputy Finance Minister and State Capture whistle-blower Mcebisi Jonas