Environmental | Policy & Enforcement

https://www.engineeringnews.co.za

Advertise on this page? Click Here to Learn More

Policy & Enforcement News

New waterjet machine bought

By: Halima Frost 24th June 2022 To meet growing demand for specialised cutting services, waterjet cutting specialist Aquajet has procured a new precision waterjet machine from jet machining manufacturer Omax to complement its three existing Omax machines. “The machine is part of our ambitious expansion, which aims to increase... →

Cabinet encourages more S Africans to vaccinate as it ends mask mandate

By: Sane Dhlamini 23rd June 2022 Minister in the Presidency Mondli Gungubele said on Thursday that while Cabinet welcomed a significant drop in Covid-19 cases in the country, it is urging more South Africans to vaccinate against the virus, as South Africa joins the many countries that have done away with mask-wearing. Joining... →

Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla

Task team formed to investigate source of sulphur stench in Gauteng, North West

By: Schalk Burger 10th June 2022 The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has established a task team to investigate the complaints about the stench experienced over parts of Gauteng and North West in the past week. "Following complaints about the strong sulphuric smell over Gauteng and parts of North... →

Stench over Johannesburg sparks government probe

By: Bloomberg 9th June 2022 South Africa’s Environment Ministry is investigating a “stench” that has settled over Gauteng province, which includes the commercial hub of Johannesburg and the capital, Pretoria, this week. The smell, which in the past has been caused by high levels of sulphur dioxide pollution, sparked... →

SANEDI releases first technical assessment towards Clean Coal Roadmap

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 9th June 2022 A new report from government organisation the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI) on clean coal technologies has presented a case for potential opportunities and challenges associated with adopting these in a roadmap towards 2030. The report constitutes Phase 1 in a... →

Opinion: Environmental law in South Africa – a complex and evolving set of requirements

6th June 2022 In this article, Inlexso Legal Solutions environmental law adviser Morne Viljoen warns companies to not underestimate the complexity of environmental law and to plan for compliance early on in a project's development. →

WoodMac’s Maade expects economy to bounce back in 3 years if risks are mitigated

By: Darren Parker 2nd June 2022 Despite the most aggressive policy tightening cycle in decades, research and consulting firm Wood Mackenzie (WoodMac) metals and mining markets head Derryn Maade has said the global economy is expected to manage a “soft landing pace of growth”, easing back to pre-Covid-19 trends within the next... →

Just Share labels Climate Change Bill as ‘toothless’ without mechanisms to hold emitters accountable

By: Schalk Burger 31st May 2022 Apart from the one criminal offence under the Climate Change Bill, which is the failure by an emitter to submit a greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions plan, the Bill does not identify a single other violation and contains no other mechanisms to hold emitters accountable, says shareholder activism and... →

Enlit Africa is back

27th May 2022 Enlit Africa returns to Cape Town as a live conference and exhibition from June 7 to 9 this year, focusing on the current opportunities and challenges in the energy sector – from self-generation for municipalities and gas exploitation to renewable and energy storage solutions for the commercial... →

Company to exhibit at Enlit Africa in June

27th May 2022 With advanced submetering instrumentation and intelligent energy management solutions, industrial power and energy meter solution manufacturer Accuenergy is proud to be exhibiting at Africa's leading energy event, Enlit Africa →

Hydro project achieves commercial operation

27th May 2022 The Nyamwamba 11, 7.8MW hydropower project reached its PPA Commercial Operation Date (COD) on March 17, 2022. →

PwC says South African companies must integrate, internalise ESG for long-term sustainability

By: Schalk Burger 23rd May 2022 The environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance of businesses can have a direct impact on societal wellbeing and University of Oxford Sustainable Finance Programme research shows that an increase in company-level ESG performance can result in a positive effect on a country’s living... →

Nersa confirms registration of first two 100 MW projects

By: Terence Creamer 23rd May 2022 The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) has confirmed the registration of the first two 100 MW projects following the August 2021 amendment of Schedule 2 of the Electricity Regulation Act allowing sub-100 MW projects to proceed without a licence. Both solar photovoltaic projects are... →

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... →

Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister Barbara Creecy

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

Company Announcements

Commvault and Oracle Partner to Deliver Metallic® Data Management as a Service on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure to Accelerate Enterprise Hybrid Cloud Adoption

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