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The document outlines a risk-based approach to mining in South Africa's most sensitive biodiversity areas, including critically endangered ecosystems, Critical Biodiversity Areas (CBAs), Freshwater Ecosystem Priority Areas (FEPAs), and Ramsar sites. It argues that because these areas are essential for ecosystem services and biodiversity targets, mining should be strongly avoided. The guideline proposes a sequential six-step filter—including requirements for national strategic interest, lack of alternative deposits, and full economic valuation—that must be satisfied before any mining authorisation is considered. It emphasizes a risk-averse approach where authorisations may be denied or strictly limited to specific methods, such as underground mining, to avoid fatal flaws in environmental authorisations.

This document is a communication from the South African Department of Mineral Resources and Energy to the Centre for Environmental Rights regarding a request for access to information under the Promotion of Access to Information Act, 2000.

The document provides a stakeholder analysis of the Karpowership project in South Africa, which involves the deployment of floating gas ships to provide 1,220 MW of emergency power. It details the corporate structure of Karpowership SA, a joint venture between the Turkish conglomerate Karadeniz Holding and Powergroup South Africa. The analysis identifies key suppliers, including Shell plc for LNG delivery and Mitsui OSK Lines for regasification services, and lists a syndicate of four banks that provided a US$ 140 million loan to Karpowership in March 2020.

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 Western Cape Industrial Symbiosis Programme (WISP) facilitated a one-off exchange where Dekro Paints recycled 4 tonnes of expired solvents from Protea Chemicals. This diverted hazardous waste from landfills, reduced carbon emissions by 19.4 tonnes of CO2e, and saved Protea Chemicals R135,000 in testing, transportation, and landfill fees.

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 document details the stakeholder engagement process and technical data used to develop a regional tool for integrated water and economic planning in the Berg WMA. It includes records of workshops and meetings with provincial government, local municipalities, and academic institutions. Technical appendices provide marginal values of water by crop, estimated irrigated agriculture water requirements, and forecasts for urban water demand for 2025 and 2040. The text also validates these bottom-up estimations against the WARMS database and Aurecon's Water Resources Simulation Model, while assessing the economic opportunity cost of potential supply deficits in terms of GVA and employment.

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 Atlantis Greentech Special Economic Zone (ASEZ) is a proposed hub in the Western Cape, South Africa, designed to cluster green technology industries. Building on a manufacturing hub established in 2011, the zone seeks formal SEZ status to provide investors with preferential corporate tax, employment tax incentives, and municipal subsidies. The site is positioned to leverage South Africa's Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Programme (REIPPP) and provides proximity to Cape Town and Saldanha port.

The document outlines the investment proposition for the Atlantis Special Economic Zone (ASEZ), focusing on its role as a greentech manufacturing hub. It details available land, infrastructure, and a range of national and municipal incentives, while providing specific cost data for electricity, water, and labour in the Western Cape region.

The City of Cape Town (CCT) is developing a 7MW ground-mounted solar PV plant in Atlantis, marking the first utility-scale renewable energy project in South Africa owned and operated by a metropolitan municipality. Initiated in 2021 following a regulatory shift in the Electricity Regulation Act, the project aims to reduce reliance on Eskom and improve energy security. The CCT utilised a Corporate Project, Programme, and Portfolio Management (CPPPM) framework and an Engineering, Procurement & Construction (EPC) contracting strategy via an NEC4 DBO contract to mitigate risks, including unexpected groundwater issues and global solar panel price shocks. The plant, which includes a 5MW/10MWh battery energy storage system (BESS), is expected to be completed by April 2026, avoiding 12,524 tonnes of CO2e emissions per annum and providing significant cost savings compared to Eskom tariffs.

The Breede-Overberg Catchment Management Strategy outlines a comprehensive plan to manage water resources through the Breede-Overberg Catchment Management Agency (BOCMA). Key priorities include redressing social inequities by allocating 15% of agricultural water to emerging farmers by 2015, improving water use compliance, and building resilience against climate change. The strategy details various augmentation options, from dam expansions to desalination, and emphasizes the need for institutional stability, stakeholder engagement, and improved hydrological monitoring, particularly in the Overberg region.

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 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.

Between 2012 and 2017, ACA Threads achieved a 70% reduction in water consumption by investing in new dye vat controllers, modifying dye recipes, using recycled cooling water, and implementing a hot drop capability. These measures reduced water use from 168 litres per kg of dyed thread in 2012 to 50 litres per kg in 2017, resulting in annual water savings of 50,000 kilolitres and financial savings of R1.9 million per year from a total capital investment of R4.5 million.

JG Afrika's Cape Town office reduced its water consumption by 67% between 2011 and 2017 through a phased approach of demand reduction and efficiency upgrades. Initial steps in 2012 and 2013, including reducing irrigation and installing waterless urinals, led to a 24% reduction in average annual water consumption. In response to the Western Cape drought in 2016 and 2017, the firm turned off irrigation entirely, implemented weekly consumption logging, and installed hold-flush toilets, low-flow tap aerators, and low-flow shower heads. These technical interventions were supported by staff education and awareness campaigns. To further increase resilience, the firm installed two 10,000-litre rainwater tanks. The total capital investment for these measures was R13,100, resulting in annual water savings of 727 kilolitres in 2017 and cumulative annual savings of R33,424 since 2011.

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.