Search Climate Insights Directory

Global Witness calls for CBD COP16 to transition the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) into actionable plans. The organization advocates for the protection and participation of land and environmental defenders, the implementation of mandatory regulations to end harmful financial flows driving deforestation, and the establishment of responsible mining standards and 'no-go zones' in biodiversity hotspots to ensure the energy transition does not undermine nature.

Global Witness is calling for COP30 to address the climate and human rights impacts of the 'transition minerals' boom. The organization argues that the extraction of copper, cobalt, lithium, and rare earths is currently causing deforestation and destroying carbon sinks, which undermines net-zero goals. They propose that the UNFCCC formally endorse the UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Expert Advisory Group (HLEAG) to develop binding international guidelines for responsible sourcing, protect vital carbon-storage ecosystems as 'no-go zones', and ensure the Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) of Indigenous peoples.

Global Witness reports that while the US and UK have banned Russian-origin nickel, the EU has not, creating a loophole where Russian nickel is refined in Finland and then legally exported to the US. The report highlights the environmental degradation and human rights abuses linked to Norilsk Nickel's operations in the Arctic, the company's ties to the Russian military-industrial complex, and the challenges of conducting corporate due diligence in a repressive political environment. It recommends that the EU implement targeted sanctions on Russian nickel, maintain strict thresholds for the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), and prioritize circular economy strategies to reduce dependency on Russian minerals.

Global Witness argues that UNEA-6 missed a critical opportunity to regulate the mining industry for the energy transition. While a digital knowledge hub for environmental protection was established, the final resolution removed mandates for assessing regulations, tackling human rights violations, and addressing colonial extraction patterns due to resistance from several Member States. The document also highlights a lack of action on resource overconsumption by wealthy nations and calls for the UN and upcoming COP meetings in Azerbaijan and Brazil to prioritize a just energy transition and Indigenous rights.

Global Witness calls for COP16 to transition the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework into concrete plans, specifically by protecting environmental defenders, regulating financial flows to end deforestation, and establishing strict global standards for responsible mining of energy transition minerals.

The document details a 'closed loop' system where Cape Town Market diverts organic waste to Elgin Fruit Juice's anaerobic digester in Grabouw to produce electricity. The resulting digestate is transported back to Cape Town Market, where Ywaste uses it as a carbon-based additive to create compost for farmers. This synergy results in 1,400 tonnes of organic waste diverted from landfills annually, a reduction of 1,000 tonnes of fossil greenhouse gases, and an annual saving of R550,000 for Cape Town Market.

The Fugard Theatre in Cape Town generated approximately 110 half-used batteries per week due to performance safety requirements, leading to a stockpile of 3,000 batteries. WISP established a partnership to redirect these batteries to the City of Cape Town’s Disaster Risk Management Department and various charities for use in torches, radios, and medical devices. This initiative saves the City of Cape Town R21,000 annually and reduces the extraction of virgin materials. Because South Africa lacks battery recycling operations, spent batteries are sent to the Uniross collection programme for mineral extraction or concrete encapsulation and hazardous landfill disposal. An attempt to switch the theatre to rechargeable batteries was unsuccessful as they did not meet the technical specifications for the microphones.

The document details a resource efficiency project where WISP connected Farbe Designs, a clothing company in Stellenbosch, with CSK Material Handling to manage textile, plastic, and paper waste. Because the Western Cape lacks textile recyclers, CSK collects and bales the waste in Cape Town before transporting it to KwaZulu-Natal, where textiles are shredded for carpet underfelt production. The collaboration results in 20 tonnes of waste diverted from landfills annually and an estimated R8 000 in annual savings for Farbe Designs.

The Western Cape Industrial Symbiosis Programme (WISP) connected Duferco Steel Processing and FS Smit with Cape E-Waste to manage stockpiles of electronic waste. This arrangement diverted over a tonne of hazardous waste from landfills, resulting in cost savings of R470 per tonne for the companies and the creation of three jobs for dismantling equipment.

The briefing outlines the systemic failures of traditional municipal service delivery in South Africa, where over 7.32 million households in approximately 4,298 informal settlements face severe constraints. It proposes Alternative Service Delivery (ASD) as a paradigm shift based on Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD), emphasizing decentralization and public-private partnerships. The document establishes a framework of technical, social, and financial 'best practice norms' to ensure sustainability and community ownership. Through case studies like Peco Power (energy), Kaloola (sanitation), Regenize (waste), and Gcwalisa (food/waste), it demonstrates how off-grid and community-led solutions can provide interim services while working toward long-term goals. It concludes by recommending a systems approach to integrate ASD into provincial planning and calling for flexible policy and funding mechanisms.

The document explores the intersection of Black Soldier Fly (BSF) agriculture and carbon markets, specifically within the South African context. It identifies three primary pathways for BSF farmers to access carbon credits: diverting organic waste from landfills to avoid methane, producing low-carbon alternative proteins for animal feed, and enhancing soil carbon sequestration through the use of BSF frass. The brief details the mechanics of mandatory and voluntary carbon markets, the specific phases of South Africa's Carbon Tax Act, and the complex 10-step process for project registration. It also highlights significant barriers to entry, including high upfront costs (starting at R1 million for small projects), a lack of BSF-specific methodologies, and legal restrictions in the Western Cape that prohibit credits for landfill diversion due to a 2027 organic waste ban.

The document provides a comprehensive guide to the South African regulatory environment for Black Soldier Fly (BSF) agriculture, focusing on waste treatment, animal feed, fertilisers, and air quality. It details the necessary Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) under NEMA and specific licensing requirements for waste management and atmospheric emissions. The brief also covers standards for exporting BSF-based products to the EU and US, as well as regulations for human food chains and land use zoning.

The document details a pilot project in Buffalo City, South Africa, where a partnership between government, a producer responsibility organisation (Polyco), and a business chamber created hybrid recycling facilities. These sites combine free community drop-offs with paid buyback centres for waste reclaimers using a cashless voucher system. While only two of four planned sites (Southernwood and Commercial Road) were established by late 2021 due to COVID-19 delays, the project created 10 jobs and diverted significant tonnage from landfills, demonstrating a replicable model for extended producer responsibility.

The Western Cape Industrial Symbiosis Programme (WISP) connected Ywaste, a composting service provider, with two waste generators—Cape Town Film Studio (CTFS) and Samson Bedding—to source carbon-rich sawdust. Ywaste uses bokashi composting and vermiculture to convert organic waste into nutrient-rich soil. This synergy diverts approximately seven tonnes of sawdust from landfills annually and reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 2.3 tonnes per year.

The document identifies significant opportunities for industrial hemp in South Africa's textiles sector, particularly in Cape Town, which is positioned to be a processing hub due to its existing apparel businesses and retail head offices. While hemp offers environmental benefits—including higher CO2 absorption and lower ecological footprints than cotton or polyester—the industry faces barriers such as inconsistent feedstock supply, high processing costs, and a lack of local mid-stream processing capacity. The brief suggests that primary producers initially target export markets to build scale before localizing the full value chain.

The document identifies industrial hemp as a sustainable alternative for construction materials in South Africa, specifically focusing on hempcrete and hemp insulation. It highlights Cape Town's potential as a hub for these materials, citing the completion of the world's tallest hemp-based building. While hemp offers significant carbon sequestration and energy efficiency benefits, the sector faces barriers including high costs due to imported components and a lack of awareness among developers and professionals.

The document outlines a comprehensive set of circular economy interventions for the City of Cape Town, categorized by the principles of prioritizing regenerative resources, stretching product lifetimes, and using waste as a resource. Key initiatives include the Green Procurement Action Plan, the transition to electric vehicles, the development of repair hubs and equipment libraries, and the implementation of organic waste diversion targets.

BG Servers, a drum reconditioning SMME in Cape Town, reduced its municipal water consumption by 97% between 2009 and 2021. By installing rainwater harvesting and borehole systems, and introducing a vacuum residue system, the company decreased annual municipal usage from 2,300 kl to under 70 kl. These interventions resulted in cumulative municipal account savings of approximately R740,000 from 2011 to 2021. The company's efforts were recognized by the City of Cape Town with a 5-star water rating certification in 2022.

The document highlights the challenges of construction and demolition waste (C&DW) management in Cape Town, where landfills are nearing capacity. It argues that while high-value materials like metals are already recycled, lower-value salvageable items are often discarded. The case study presents 'The Real Deal 2 Cheap' as a business model that fills this gap by purchasing and reselling used building materials, thereby reducing landfill pressure, creating local jobs, and providing affordable materials to the public. It also notes systemic barriers in South Africa, such as low landfill tariffs for C&DW and a lack of reliable waste data.

The document examines the deployment of container-based sanitation (CBS) in Cape Town, where the number of informal households is projected to reach almost 900,000 by 2040. It details the current use of portable flush toilets (PFTs) and shared container toilets, noting that while communities generally accept these as alternatives to full-flush systems, there are significant needs for improved durability and more reliable servicing. The brief also explores the potential for a circular economy by beneficiating excreta into products like fertilizers or fuel, highlighting regulatory shifts such as the 2019 liquid waste landfill ban and new organic waste treatment standards that may reduce barriers for local providers.