In The News

These new projects from across South Africa have been announced as the second cohort of projects for Climate Finance Accelerator (CFA) South Africa support, following a call for proposals that attracted 166 applications. The chosen projects come from the energy, transportation, AFOLU (Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Uses), circular economy and water sectors. This follows a successful first round in 2021 that has so far seen almost a third of projects find new partners and investors. CFA South Africa is part of the UK Government’s investment into South Africa’s transition to a low carbon economy and is delivered in partnership with the National Business Initiative (NBI) and GreenCape. Africa News, 30 November 2022.

Joanne Yawitch is the CEO of the National Business Initiative (NBI) and a member of the Inaugural Presidential Climate Change Coordinating Commission. She has held the position of CEO at the NBI since March 2011 and previously worked as the Deputy General for Climate Change in the Department of Environmental Affairs. Yawitch also worked as the Special Advisor to the Minister of Land Affairs prior to 1997, after which she worked for the Gauteng Department of Environment until 2004. In today’s episode of Business Talk, Yawitch discusses the impact the NBI has had on sustainability in South Africa since it was founded in 1995. Affluencer, 30 November 2022.

The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Barbara Creecy, has welcomed the decision to establish a fund on loss and damage to address the impacts of climate change. Knysna-Plett Herald, 22 November 2022.

WWF’s Living Planet Award is made annually to exceptional South Africans who, through their catalytic contribution, inspire people to live in harmony with nature. The winners were named at WWF South Africa’s annual general meeting on 11 November at the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden. WWF-SA, 11 November 2022.

The Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Ms Nomalungelo Gina has assured Members of Parliament that the department is in the process of rolling out interventions that will see the rural and township economy occupying its rightful place in the mainstream economy of South Africa and contributing meaningfully in creating jobs, alleviating poverty and growing the economy. Gina was briefing the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on measures to unlock and grow the full potential of the township economy. South African DTI, 9 November 2022.

The World Bank last week announced that it had approved South Africa’s request for a R9-billion concessional loan for the repurposing and repowering of Eskom’s Komati Power Station. The Komati project is Eskom’s first step towards a just energy transition (JET), the transition to using lower-carbon technologies while ensuring workers and communities most affected by the transition aren’t left behind. Daily Maverick, 9 November 2022.

Representatives from the funder of the Vuthela iLembe LED Support Programme, the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs of the Government of the Swiss Confederation (SECO), gained insight into the Vuthela Programme implementation and impact during a recent visit, writes Shannon Moffett, key expert for Vuthela’s Private Sector Development (PSD) and Building Inclusive Growth (BIG) Components. North Coast Rising Sun, 8 November 2022.

The effects of climate change are widespread, rapid, and intensifying. In a new report, Boston Consulting Group examines how education can improve climate literacy, impact behavioural change, and be an integral element of other systemic initiatives to combat climate change. Engineering News, 4 November 2022.

Picture the world’s children in 2050. Where do they come from? The answer might surprise you. If today’s demographic trends continue, almost half of all people under 18—about 40%—will have been born and raised in Africa. As digital penetration increases, a growing number will be adept users of technology, and some will be part of a new generation of world-class innovators in Africa. Most of this population will grow up in cities, often in urban areas that doubled in size during their childhood. Regardless of where they live, many may be desperately affected by the consequences of climate change. Convergence News, 23 October 2022.

South Africa’s ideal power system – which is cost-effective and has the lowest greenhouse gas emissions – consists of solar PV, wind and battery storage. But the capital requirements for such a system ranges between R2.3-trillion and R3.1-trillion, according to a report by the National Business Initiative (NBI). Engineering News, 20 October 2022.