We may consume less plastic per capita than the rest of the world, but Africa is still the second-most polluted continent in the world. Added to this, most of our waste is mismanaged, with a significant portion ending up in landfills, illegal dumpsites, as well as our rivers and oceans. https://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/driving-africas-transition-to-a-blue-economy-actionable-strategies-for-tackling-plastic-waste-2025-01-09

Thailand has banned plastic waste imports over concerns about toxic pollution, as experts warn that failure to agree a global treaty to cut plastic waste will harm human health https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jan/07/thailand-bans-imports-plastic-waste-curb-toxic-pollution

Africa’s waste management challenges, from methane emissions to inadequate infrastructure, present an urgent opportunity to transform waste into a resource that drives environmental sustainability and economic growth. https://afripoli.org/reducing-methane-emissions-from-africas-waste-sector-through-enhanced-waste-practices

Water pollution in South Africa has worsened, and it has worsened largely due to the collapse of municipal governance. By not properly planning for, operating, maintaining or building water and sanitation infrastructure, https://infrastructurenews.co.za/2024/12/09/a-new-defender-emerges-to-tackle-water-pollution/

South Africa’s growing rat problem, driven by illegal dumping and poor waste management, has led to a surge in pesticide use among vendors and spaza shop owners trying to combat infestations. https://witness.co.za/news/2024/12/09/dumping-crisis-in-south-africa-linked-to-pesticide-misuse/

The North Gauteng High Court, on 4 December, handed down judgment in the landmark constitutional litigation against the South African government’s decision to procure 1 500 MW of new coal-fired power. The court declared the decision unlawful and invalid, on the basis that there was insufficient consultation with, and consideration of, the harms and limitation of rights of present and future generations that could follow from building new coal electricity generation. https://www.cer.org.za/news/press-release-court-rules-no-new-coal-fired-power

Delegates from 175 countries gathered in Busan, South Korea, last week for the fifth and final stage of negotiations for a global UN treaty to end plastic pollution. https://www.eco-business.com/news/should-businesses-pay-to-clean-up-plastic-waste-they-create/

 The Environmental Management Inspectorate has conducted inspections at about 350 municipal landfill sites over the last five years, and only less than 20% of them are compliant on a national basis,’ says environment journalist, Tony Carnie. https://www.moneyweb.co.za/moneyweb-podcasts/moneyweb-midday/sa-landfills-a-crisis-of-compliance-and-environmental-risk/

As sovereign debt investors concerned about climate change scrutinise national responses to rising global temperatures, they’re increasingly finding that wealthier nations aren’t doing their part to help address global warming. https://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/rich-countries-provide-no-haven-from-climate-doom-study-finds-2024-11-26

Final COP29 outcomes show incremental advances with the new global climate finance deal. But notable funding gaps remain for low- and middle-income countries, as well as clean air action. This puts significant expectations on next year’s Brazilian Presidency for COP30.https://www.cleanairfund.org/news-item/cop29-statement/