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Reducing chemical risks in low-income countries: strategies for improved coverage of basic chemicals-management legislation
This policy brief examines the implementation gap of the United Nations Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) in national legislation, particularly in low-income countries. It identifies regulatory capacity and GDP per capita as primary barriers to implementation and proposes strategies such as regional collaboration, integration into national chemicals strategies, and alignment with the Agenda 2030 to increase global coverage.
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Document type: Policy brief
Farm Torque: electric orchard tractors
This report by WWF South Africa explores the business case for introducing electric orchard tractors in South Africa's horticultural sector. It identifies a significant market opportunity to replace small diesel tractors with electric alternatives for low-energy applications, highlighting potential carbon emission savings, socio-economic benefits through local manufacturing, and the financial viability of a lower total cost of ownership despite higher initial capital costs.
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Document type: Report
A low-carbon sunrise for the mining industry
This research paper by WWF South Africa argues that the global transition to a low-carbon economy, driven by the Paris Agreement, creates significant opportunities for South Africa's mining sector. The document details the high material intensity of clean energy technologies—such as solar, wind, and geothermal—and positions South Africa's vast mineral reserves as a strategic advantage for revitalising its extractive industries and re-industrialising its economy through the manufacturing of low-carbon technologies.
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Document type: Research paper
Parking: Reflections for growing and developing cities
This briefing by WWF South Africa examines the urban and environmental impacts of parking infrastructure, specifically focusing on the transition from minimum to maximum parking requirements. It argues that oversupplying parking incentivizes private car use and increases greenhouse gas emissions, while providing case studies from the USA and UK to suggest policy reforms for developing countries like South Africa.
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Document type: Briefing
Potential for solar thermal heating in South African hospitals
This report evaluates the potential for solar thermal heating in South African hospitals to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and electricity. While the current adoption is very low (less than 0.5% of thermal demand), the study finds that 20-40% of the 370 GWh annual thermal energy requirement could be met by solar thermal systems. A case study at Paarl Provincial Hospital demonstrates that such systems can be financially viable, achieving a 10% internal rate of return and a levelised cost of heat (LCOH) of R0,62/kWh, even when competing with energy-efficient heat pumps. However, widespread adoption is hindered by high upfront costs, outdated infrastructure, asbestos roofing, and a preference for solar PV systems.
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Document type: Report
Solar thermal technologies: clean fit for food and beverage industries
This report by WWF South Africa examines the business case for adopting solar thermal technologies in the South African food and beverage industries to replace non-renewable heat sources. It highlights the potential for significant greenhouse gas reductions, job creation in manufacturing and installation, and financial viability for most fuel replacements other than coal.
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Document type: Report
Surplus food from farms and firms onto forks
This report by WWF South Africa outlines the business and climate case for redirecting surplus food—edible food that is not 'true waste'—from farms and firms to people in need. It identifies significant opportunities for greenhouse gas mitigation and socio-economic benefit, while highlighting systemic barriers such as liability concerns and date labelling.
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Document type: Report
South Africa’s prospects under Cyril Ramaphosa
This report analyzes the political and economic implications of Cyril Ramaphosa's narrow victory at the African National Congress (ANC) 54th national conference in December 2017. The author argues that while the result averted a major party split, South Africa remains in a "muddling along" scenario characterized by deep factional divisions and economic fragility. The document examines the prospects for the 2019 elections, the potential recall of Jacob Zuma, and the need for structural reforms to avoid credit rating downgrades and stimulate growth.
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Document type: Report
Minutes of GEC Steering Group
Minutes from the Green Economy Coalition (GEC) Steering Group meeting on December 14, 2017, reviewing the 2017 global meeting in Trinidad, evaluating the coalition's impact, and outlining strategic priorities for 2018, including a focus on SME outreach and a distributed delivery model.
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Document type: Briefing
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly: An Economic Review of Zuma’s Presidency
This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs reviews the economic impact of Jacob Zuma's presidency, detailing a period marked by corruption, state capture, and economic decline, alongside specific policy successes in healthcare and renewable energy.
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Document type: Research paper
RESPONSE TO NERSA LETTER OF 14 NOVEMBER 2017 – RELEVANT INFORMATION IN RELATION TO THABAMETSI AND KHANYISA IPP POWER STATION PROJECTS
The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), acting for Earthlife Africa Johannesburg and groundWork, wrote to the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) on 5 December 2017 regarding licensing applications for the Thabametsi and Khanyisa coal-fired power stations. The letter challenges NERSA's handling of the applications, highlighting outstanding water use licences (WUL), atmospheric emission licences (AEL), and ongoing court reviews.
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Document type: Statement
AFFIDAVIT
This document is an affidavit signed by Andrew Clifford Johnstone, Managing Director of GCS (Pty) Ltd, submitted to the High Court of South Africa. Johnstone confirms his professional qualifications in hydrogeology and environmental consulting and verifies that GCS produced both an original review (dated 18 November 2016) and a revised review (dated 1 December 2017) regarding the Yzermyn Colliery in Mpumalanga.
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Document type: Statement
Peer Review of the Climate Change Study for the Proposed Thabametsi Coal Fired Power Station
This report is a peer review conducted by EOH Coastal & Environmental Services for the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) regarding the Climate Change Study and Palaeontological Impact Assessment (CCSPIA) for the proposed 1,200 MW Thabametsi Coal-Fired Power Station. The review evaluates the adequacy of the Greenhouse Gas Assessment (GGA) and the Climate Resilience Assessment (CRA), concluding that while the technical assessments are comprehensive and follow international best practices, there are discrepancies in the overall impact rating and omissions regarding the social cost of carbon.
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Document type: Report
FIRST DRAFT CARBON TAX BILL 2015: RESPONSE DOCUMENT
The 'First Draft Carbon Tax Bill 2015: Response Document' is a December 2017 report by the Centre for Environmental Rights (representing the National Treasury's responses) that details public comments and government feedback on the design of South Africa's carbon tax. It addresses key policy issues including revenue recycling, tax-free allowances for trade-exposed sectors, the treatment of the electricity and aviation sectors, and the alignment of the tax with South Africa's Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement.
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Document type: Report
Migration policy frameworks in Africa
This report by the Institute for Security Studies provides a comprehensive overview of the legal and policy frameworks governing migration in Africa. It details the roles of the African Union (AU), various Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and partnerships with the European Union (EU) in managing refugees, internally displaced persons, labour migration, and the fight against human trafficking and smuggling.
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Document type: Report
SUBMISSIONS ON PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE NATIONAL DUST CONTROL REGULATIONS 2013 PUBLISHED IN TERMS OF THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT: AIR QUALITY ACT, 2004 (AQA)
The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), representing various non-governmental and community organisations, submitted recommendations to the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) on November 30, 2017, to strengthen the proposed amendments to the National Dust Control Regulations 2013 under the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act, 2004 (AQA).
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Document type: Statement
RELEVANT INFORMATION IN RELATION TO THE DRAFT INTEGRATED RESOURCE PLAN FOR ELECTRICITY UPDATE & THE DRAFT INTEGRATED ENERGY PLAN
The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), representing the Life After Coal/Impilo Ngaphandle Kwamalahle Campaign, submitted a formal statement to the Portfolio Committee on Energy on 29 November 2017. The document outlines critical concerns regarding the lack of transparency, inadequate public consultation, and the omission of key economic and environmental data in the development of South Africa's draft Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) for Electricity Update and the draft Integrated Energy Plan (IEP).
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Document type: Statement
JOINT LETTER REGARDING THE ENERGY INDABA ON 5-6 DECEMBER 2017
A joint letter from 23 environmental and social organisations to the South African Minister of Energy expressing serious objections to the process surrounding the draft Integrated Energy Plan (IEP) and the draft update to the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) for Electricity, specifically regarding a planned 'energy indaba' in December 2017.
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Document type: Statement
RELEVANT INFORMATION CONCERNING ESKOM – A STUDY BY MERIDIAN ECONOMICS
The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), representing the Life After Coal/Impilo Ngaphandle Kwamalahle Campaign, submitted a letter to the Portfolio Committee on Environmental Affairs on 27 November 2017. The letter highlights findings from a study by Meridian Economics regarding Eskom's financial crisis and the viability of coal-fired power in South Africa, advocating for the accelerated decommissioning of specific power stations and the curtailment of new construction to save costs and improve air quality.
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Document type: Statement
ADDITIONAL WRITTEN COMMENTS ON THE INTEGRATED RESOURCE PLAN (IRP) UPDATE: ASSUMPTIONS, BASE CASE RESULTS AND OBSERVATIONS, REVISION 1 AND ON THE DRAFT INTEGRATED ENERGY PLAN (IEP)
The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), representing the Life After Coal/Impilo Ngaphandle Kwamalahle Campaign, submitted additional comments to the South African Department of Energy regarding the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) and Integrated Energy Plan (IEP). The CER argues that these plans must incorporate missing cost calculations for coal and nuclear energy, as well as findings from recent studies suggesting that accelerating the decommissioning of coal plants and cancelling new coal and nuclear capacity is the most cost-effective path for Eskom and the national grid.
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Document type: Statement