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With increased concern about water scarcity, especially as the climate continues to heat up, companies and governments alike are putting new scrutiny on wringing out every possible inefficiency from their operations.
There are plenty of tried-and-true methods for companies looking to make immediate reductions in water use, and many of the industries most at risk from water shortages or restrictions have found a number of ways to address water issues.
In order to make a step-change in both the depth and the breadth of water efficiency — that is, saving more water as well as getting more companies and industries to take conservation to heart — new practices and innovations are going to have to take root.
Continue reading And the winners are…
By Danielle Merfeld
The ongoing debate today is whether solar photovoltaics (PV) will emerge from its niche position within the energy sector to become a larger part of our power generation portfolio.
Because solar PV has been in development for 60 years, you could easily assume that it might be another 60 years before it becomes a major energy source. But speaking from within a company that has supplied 25 percent of the world’s power generation technology, that future could arrive sooner than many realize.
Right now, PV costs are higher than other solutions today — including other renewables. But the overall trends and recent progress within the PV industry reveal that solar is poised for major growth.
Continue reading Why It’s Time to Take Solar Seriously
Nominations for the inaugural Climate Change Leadership Awards received 54 entries in the business category and 20 in the community category and, on 11 March 2010, five award winners were honoured at a banquet at the Sandton Sun.
The Japanese philosophy kaizen (improvement) epitomises Wesbank’s decision to reduce consumption and promote efficiency in the workplace. Kaizen was first implemented in several Japanese businesses during the country’s recovery after World War II and has since spread to businesses throughout the world.
“It has helped us to evaluate our processes and look for meaningful ways in which the consumption of resources such as paper and ink cartridges can be reduced,” said spokesperson Pauline Govender.
Continue reading Footprints worth following: Wesbank
Growthpoint divisional director Tyrone Govender, the company’s representative on the GBCSA, is clear: “As an industry, the South African property sector has embraced the drive to green and Growthpoint is committed to sustainable building practices.”
In terms of new developments, Govender explains, Growthpoint investigates all elements to assess opportunities for increased energy efficiency and compliance with green building principles and regulations. “We are also considering retro fitting our existing buildings which will be assessed on a cost-to-value ratio,” notes Govender.
Growthpoint’s new office development Lincoln on the Lake in Umhlanga Ridge in KwaZulu-Natal is part of the pilot project for the Green Star SA Office rating tools.
Continue reading South Africa’s largest JSE-listed property company leads the green building revolution
Rainwater harvesting is a method of collecting rainwater from the roof of a home or building through the drainage system that is already in place. The water is stored to be used later as a way of replacing some of the water from the main water supply. If you are interested in possibly purchasing a system that collects rainwater to be stored for later use, there are a five things that you should know.
Benefits. This type of system is beneficial if you would like to reduce the amount of water that you purchase from your utility company, and if you are interested in making a positive impact on the environment. In flood-prone areas, harvesting rainwater helps with reducing water run-off that rushes into our basements. In areas that experience droughts, you will not be bothered with regulations regarding bans on using your garden hoses to water your lawn and garden.
Continue reading Top 5 Things You Need to Know About Rainwater Harvesting
To begin with the goodness of rain water or natural water, our world purifies water and caters us for using it up. And we in turn, rush after bottle drinks, soft drinks to quench our thirst. Rainwater harvesting has grown to be a germane topic with the rise of syndromes and the lessened life span of human beings. Do we need a science lecture to emphasize the importance of rainwater?
Well, human beings, the brainiest of living creatures, are not up to snuff to comprehend the integrity of rainwater and the need for rainwater collection.
Continue reading Why Rainwater Harvesting is Essential
In our society today “going green” is become very important. In fact “going green” is now a universally accepted principle of business conduct. So are there truly any green franchise ideas? If you are looking to open a franchise, consider the following when determining whether your options are green franchise ideas.
Does the business operate with efficiency? This may seem like an easy one to determine, but efficiency covers a very broad spectrum of business practices. Are they using automated systems for inventory and control? Using automated systems not only cuts down or eliminates a lot of paper waste but also reduces the chances of mistakes being made and the waste of inventory. This practice can also extend the ordering cycle, in turn cutting down on deliveries and energy consumption. This reduces the companies “carbon footprint” and greens the overall business.
Continue reading Advantages of a Green Franchise!
by Cath Everett,
In what could prove a precursor to future rows over climate funding for developing countries the UK and US have reportedly threatened to withhold support for a World Bank loan intended to help South Africa build a new coal-fired power station.
Around $3bn of the proposed $3.75bn loan to South African utility company Eskom would be used to fund the construction of the 4,800MW Medupi “clean coal” plant and accompanying carbon storage facilities. The rest of the funding is expected to be spent on renewable and energy efficiency projects.
The Medupi project, which will be based in the country’s northern Limpopo region, is deemed critical to help ease the country’s chronic power shortages, which have in the past resulted in rolling power cuts that have undermined the growth of Southern Africa’s largest economy.
However, despite the plans to use relatively efficient technologies, Reuters reported that the UK and US are poised to oppose the loan on the grounds it will make it harder for South Africa to deliver emission cuts.
Continue reading World Bank split over controversial “clean coal” investment
The South African government confirmed yesterday that it has nominated the country’s tourism minister, Marthinus van Schalkwyk, to replace Yvo De Boer as head of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) when he steps down in July.
Van Schalkwyk had previously served as minister for environmental affairs and tourism and has been heavily involved in international climate change negotiations. A statement released by his office confirmed that he had accepted the nomination.
The announcement comes after a day of speculation in the South Africa press following reports that a number of countries and NGOs had called on Van Schalkwyk to apply for the soon-to-be-vacant UN role.
Van Schalkwyk is now likely to be amongst the favourites to secure the position, having proved himself a popular figure during last year’s increasingly fraught negotiations.
Continue reading South African minister tipped for top UN climate role
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