Search Climate Insights Directory

This technical factsheet outlines energy efficiency and renewable energy opportunities in sludge management for South African wastewater treatment works. It highlights that sludge treatment can account for 35% of a plant's energy use and suggests optimizations in sedimentation, dewatering, and stabilization (particularly anaerobic digestion for biogas). It also details various financing mechanisms, such as grants and energy performance contracts, to help municipalities improve regulatory compliance and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

This technical factsheet by GreenCape outlines the application of solar photovoltaic (PV) technology to reduce energy costs and carbon footprints at wastewater treatment works (WWTWs) in South Africa. It details system configurations, financial metrics, and the necessary steps for municipal implementation.

This factsheet by GreenCape provides technical and financial guidance on implementing mini-hydro and wind power technologies in South African wastewater treatment works (WWTWs) to reduce energy costs and carbon footprints.

This technical factsheet by GreenCape outlines the use of thermal hydrolysis as a method for the thermal beneficiation of wastewater treatment works (WWTW) sludge in South Africa to improve energy efficiency and reduce waste disposal costs.

This fact sheet by GreenCape outlines the European Union's Farm to Fork Strategy, which aims to make Europe climate neutral by 2050 by transforming food sustainability, environmental standards, and health. It details specific 2030 targets for pesticide and fertiliser reduction and organic farming, while highlighting the potential impact on SADC EPA countries, particularly South Africa, which holds a significant share of agricultural exports to the EU.

The Green Economy Climate Finance Database 2022, developed by GreenCape with support from the Western Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDAT), identifies over 150 finance opportunities across approximately 125 stakeholders to address information asymmetry in South Africa's green economy.

This case study by GreenCape examines Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) as a sustainable solution to food insecurity, water scarcity, and climate vulnerability in South Africa. It defines CEA as the production of plants and food within indoor facilities, growth chambers, or climate-regulated systems to maximize yield, highlighting its potential to reduce food mileage and increase crop density through vertical farming.

This fact sheet by GreenCape, produced in collaboration with the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, defines non-sewered sanitation systems (NSSS) and outlines their benefits, drivers, and the market potential for their implementation in South Africa and globally.

This fact sheet by GreenCape describes wastewater treatment and reuse/reclamation as the process of removing contaminants from discharged water to create reclaimed water for restored use. It highlights the shift toward decentralized solutions due to the high costs and long timeframes associated with centralized systems, as well as the critical state of South Africa's wastewater treatment works (WWTWs).

This fact sheet by GreenCape, produced in collaboration with the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, defines Smart Farming/Precision Agriculture (SF/PA) as the application of agtech and analytics to increase agricultural efficiency and yields compared to conventional methods. It outlines the benefits of the technology, the specific challenges facing adoption in South Africa, and the requirements for market growth.

This industry brief by GreenCape explores the economic and environmental opportunities of diverting waste foundry sand (WFS) from landfills in South Africa, specifically focusing on the Western Cape and the City of Cape Town. It details how WFS can be repurposed as a secondary raw material for industries such as brickmaking and road construction, provided that strict legal classifications and hazard management protocols are followed.

The GOF PHASE II Proposal by GreenCape seeks to establish a grant facility of USD 3-5 million to attract USD 15-20 million in private capital investments for small, medium and micro-sized enterprises (SMMEs) focused on the green economy.

This industry brief by GreenCape examines the financial viability of using battery energy storage systems (BESS) for tariff arbitrage in the Western Cape, South Africa. It focuses on leveraging time-of-use (TOU) tariffs to reduce energy costs by charging batteries during off-peak periods and discharging during peak periods, particularly as the decline in loadshedding has left many existing BESS installations underutilised.

This industry brief by GreenCape provides guidance for businesses in the Western Cape on installing behind-the-meter (BTM) solar PV systems to reduce electricity costs and improve energy security. It details financial viability factors, pricing benchmarks for 2025/26, various financing models including Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), and the role of municipal feed-in tariffs and national tax incentives in South Africa.

This industry brief by GreenCape highlights replicable water stewardship projects in South Africa, specifically in the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. It showcases the effectiveness of nature-based solutions, such as invasive alien plant clearing by the Greater Cape Town Water Fund, and infrastructure improvements like leak repairs in schools funded by an FMCG company. The document advocates for public-private partnerships to enhance water security and resilience.

This case study examines how Mediclinic deployed on-site solar PV at its Durbanville Hospital using a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) to achieve decarbonisation goals without upfront capital investment.

This case study describes the implementation of a hybrid solar PV and battery energy storage system (BESS) at the Hartenbos wastewater treatment works (WWTW) in the Western Cape. The project aims to ensure continuous operation during loadshedding, reduce municipal peak demand, and lower reliance on diesel backup.

This case study examines how Mediclinic Southern Africa (MCSA) implemented water-saving technologies, specifically laundry wastewater recycling plants, across its hospitals to ensure operational continuity amidst water scarcity.

The Green Economy Strategy Framework by GreenCape outlines goals to establish the Western Cape as a leading green economic hub in Africa and the lowest carbon province, focusing on renewable energy, resource efficiency, and green technology investment.

This technical report assesses the international interoperability and usability of the South African Green Finance Taxonomy (SA GFT). It evaluates the taxonomy's alignment with global standards across three pillars: Make Substantial Contribution (MSC), Do No Significant Harm (DNSH), and Minimum Social Safeguards (MSS). While the SA GFT shows high alignment in its environmental objectives and sectoral coverage, the report identifies significant challenges in the usability of DNSH and MSS criteria, specifically regarding the lack of quantitative thresholds and clear disclosure frameworks. The report provides detailed recommendations for improving technical screening criteria, enhancing governance structures, and integrating the taxonomy into a broader national ESG disclosure ecosystem.