Energy crisis leaves SA struggling to function
Witnessing the far-reaching effects of South Africa's continuing power cuts has been tremendously disheartening, writes NJ Ayuk, executive chairman of the African Energy Chamber and author of "A Just Transition: Making Energy Poverty History with an Energy Mix". The...
Absa to extend energy grants to SMEs
In a move aimed at supporting and growing small and medium enterprises (SMEs), Absa will be providing up to R50-million in energy subsidy under its Green Asset Finance programme for qualifying SMEs. Absa's energy subsidy is the only grant of its kind providing some...
Why safety and quality in lithium batteries is important
Uniross has emphasised the importance of safety and quality in selecting a product using a lithium battery. The National Consumer Commission recently urged consumers to return the affected products which were sold by various retailers including Takealot, Builders...
Manufacturers must be ready for the circular economy
In the words of Greta Thunberg, the world is on fire. Nasa data shows the planet's climate is significantly changing owing to human activity including material extraction and use - which has nearly quadrupled in the last 50 years - and the subsequent creation of...
Practical approach, clear business case needed for sustainability success
A growing wealth of evidence shows that sustainability has become a mainstream business and societal issue. Leading companies are embracing sustainability not only to reduce harmful practices but also to accelerate business transformation while protecting and creating...
Without recyclers, EPR regulations will simply facilitate greenwashing
Regulations are not enough to help South Africa move to a circular economy. Without the support of an innovative and well-developed recycling and waste management sector, the country's Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Regulations can inadvertently enable...
Excess heat is a huge untapped energy source
A new whitepaper from Danfoss highlights the vast untapped potential of excess heat as a source of energy. In the EU alone, excess heat amounts to 2 860 TWh per year, corresponding almost to the EU's total energy demand for heat and hot water in residential and...
Beware the perils of choosing an inferior lithium battery
The growth in demand for lithium batteries has resulted in a proliferation of small battery manufacturers, many previously manufacturing nickel-based batteries, but now producing lithium. Michael Rogers, MD of Uniross Batteries, said it's not only the battery itself,...
SA needs more wind power now to tackle its energy crisis
"...Persistent load shedding is impeding our recovery... We know that without a reliable supply of electricity, businesses cannot grow, assembly lines cannot run, crops cannot be irrigated, and basic services are interrupted", said H.E. President Cyril Ramaphosa in...
Tech can accelerate the African renewable energy industry
Africa is ripe for renewable energy innovation, with the adoption of wind and solar resources a key solution to addressing energy security. According to the World Economic Forum, as of 2019, the electricity access rate was 46% with 570-million people not having...
Shopping for sustainability
While 92% of South Africans say sustainability is important to them, only 58% claim to live sustainably according to a 2022 study by global consumer insights agency InSites Consulting. It's clear South Africans want to make a change; they just don't know where to...
Ricoh SA completes sustainable solar rollout
Ricoh South Africa has completed a major solar power installation at its new Regional Head Office in Equites Park in Meadowview Business Estate. The announcement coincides with Ricoh's global commitment to environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) goals...