Search Climate Insights Directory

This report, the final part of a five-part series by WWF South Africa, SinCo, Carbon Tracker, and Trucost, synthesizes research on the financial risks and opportunities associated with carbon emissions and water scarcity for institutional investors in South Africa. It argues that many investors are 'universal owners' whose returns depend on the overall health of the economy, making them vulnerable to systemic risks from climate change and water stress. The report finds that carbon and water risks are largely mispriced in the market, with significant exposure in the energy and mining sectors, and calls for regulatory interventions and a shift toward low-carbon, water-responsible investment strategies to avoid stranded assets and ensure long-term returns.

This technical feasibility study by the Stockholm Environment Institute explores two energy scenarios for China from 2005 to 2050. The Baseline scenario projects a nearly four-fold increase in energy sector CO2 emissions, while the Deep Carbon Reduction Scenario (DCRS) examines the possibility of limiting cumulative emissions to 229 GT CO2 to align with the Greenhouse Development Rights (GDRs) framework and a global goal of keeping temperature increases below 2°C.

The document is a Pollution Prevention Plan (PPP) for Anglo American Coal South Africa (AACSA) covering the period from 2016 to 2020. It outlines the company's energy and carbon emission management plan (ECO2MAN), detailing emission sources, calculation methodologies, and planned mitigation measures for its South African coal operations.

This fact sheet from the Centre for Environmental Rights explains the purpose and importance of the Climate Change Bill introduced to Parliament in February 2022. The document outlines how the proposed law aims to regulate greenhouse gas emissions, manage climate adaptation, and define the roles of government bodies to ensure South Africa can respond safely to climate change and transition to a low-carbon economy.

This responding statement, submitted by groundWork, argues against an appeal by Karpowership SA (PTY) Ltd regarding the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment's (DFFE) June 23, 2021, decision to refuse Environmental Authorisation (EA) for a gas-to-power project at the Port of Ngqura. groundWork contends that the project is neither necessary nor desirable, citing significant environmental risks, inadequate public participation, and the existence of more sustainable energy alternatives.

This document is an appeal decision by the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment of South Africa regarding the refusal of an Environmental Authorisation (EA) for Karpowership SA (Pty) Ltd's proposed Gas-to-Power via Powership Project at the Port of Richards Bay. The Minister remits the matter back to the Competent Authority (CA) to address material gaps in information and procedural defects in the public participation process.

This document is a pollution prevention plan submission by Sasol South Africa (Pty) Limited and Sasol Mining (Pty) Limited. It details the company's production processes for liquid fuels, chemicals, ammonia, and nitric acid, alongside its coal mining operations. The report provides greenhouse gas (GHG) emission data for 2015 and 2016, the methodologies used for these calculations, and a list of mitigation interventions aimed at reducing GHG intensity through energy efficiency and process improvements.

This report by the Center for International Environmental Law examines the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with the entire lifecycle of plastic, from fossil fuel extraction to waste disposal. It warns that planned expansions in the petrochemical and plastics industries threaten the global goal of limiting temperature rise to 1.5 °C, as plastic-related emissions could consume a significant portion of the remaining global carbon budget by 2050.

This report by the Center for International Environmental Law examines the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with the full life cycle of plastic, from fossil fuel extraction to waste management and environmental degradation. It warns that planned expansions in plastic production threaten the global goal of limiting temperature increases to 1.5°C, projecting that cumulative emissions could consume up to 13% of the remaining carbon budget by 2050.

This statement from the Center for International Environmental Law argues that plastic pollution is a global crisis driven by increasing production and inadequate waste management. It calls for a new global governance agreement that addresses the full lifecycle of plastics, moving beyond a focus on marine litter to include legally binding targets for production reduction, toxic chemical elimination, and the rejection of 'false solutions' like incineration.

This executive summary from the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) details the greenhouse gas emissions associated with the entire plastic lifecycle, from fossil fuel extraction to waste management. It argues that planned expansions in plastic production threaten the global goal of limiting temperature rise to 1.5°C, potentially consuming a significant portion of the remaining carbon budget by 2050.

This executive summary from the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) details the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with the full lifecycle of plastics, arguing that current and planned production growth threatens the global goal of limiting temperature rise to 1.5C. The document quantifies emissions from extraction, refining, waste management, and environmental degradation, concluding that immediate reductions in plastic production and the cessation of fossil fuel extraction are necessary to mitigate climate impacts.

This fact sheet by Friends of the Earth International explains the concept of Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) in the context of the UN climate negotiations in Paris. It criticizes the current system of self-proposed national plans and advocates for a 'fair share' approach based on a global carbon budget to ensure the temperature increase is limited to 1.5°C.

The Coal Atlas 2015, published by the Heinrich Böll Foundation and Friends of the Earth International, provides a comprehensive analysis of the global coal industry's impact on climate, health, human rights, and the economy. It argues that coal is the largest single source of carbon dioxide emissions and that a global transition to renewable energy is necessary to avoid catastrophic climate tipping points. The report details the environmental destruction caused by open-cast mining, the severe health risks associated with coal combustion, and the systemic use of subsidies and lobbying to maintain the industry's viability. It also examines the specific situations in major coal-consuming and producing nations, including China, India, the US, Russia, and Germany, while highlighting the rise of the 'carbon bubble'—the risk of fossil fuel assets becoming stranded as climate policies tighten.

This fact sheet from Friends of the Earth International defines climate equity as the fair sharing of the global carbon budget, arguing that developed countries must bear the primary burden of emissions reductions due to their historical responsibility and greater capacity.

This fact sheet from Friends of the Earth International explains Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) in the context of the 2015 Paris climate negotiations and advocates for a 'fair shares' approach based on a global carbon budget to ensure climate targets are met.

This fact sheet from Friends of the Earth International defines climate equity and argues that developed nations bear a historical responsibility to lead emission reductions and provide financial and technological support to developing countries to maintain a global temperature increase below 1.5°C.

This fact sheet by Friends of the Earth International critiques the Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDC) process for the Paris climate negotiations, arguing that voluntary national plans are insufficient to limit global warming. The document advocates for a 'fair share' approach based on a global carbon budget to ensure accountability and equity.

This fact sheet from Friends of the Earth International (FoEI) defines climate equity and historical responsibility, arguing that developed nations must lead emission reductions and provide financial and technological support to developing nations to limit global warming to 1.5°C.

This fact sheet by Friends of the Earth International explains the concept of Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) in the lead-up to the Paris agreement and advocates for a 'fair shares' approach based on a global carbon budget to effectively limit global warming to 1.5°C.