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This case study describes a design thinking workshop for primary school learners in Cape Town, conducted by the University of Cape Town’s Hasso Plattner Institute of Design Thinking (d-school) in partnership with GreenCape and the City of Cape Town (CoCT). The initiative aimed to build resilience by equipping youth with human-centred problem-solving skills to address real-world challenges, specifically focusing on water conservation during a drought crisis.

This case study examines the implementation of a hybrid solar photovoltaic (PV) system with Lithium-ion (Li-ion) storage at UV Tooling CC, a parts manufacturer in Cape Town, to mitigate the impact of systemic loadshedding on industrial production.

This industry brief by GreenCape examines the 'Electric-vehicles-as-a-service' (EVaaS) model as a strategy to accelerate the transition of commercial fleets, specifically light delivery vehicles (LDVs), to electric vehicles (EVs) in South Africa. It identifies key financial and operational barriers to EV adoption and proposes a bundled subscription model to mitigate high upfront costs and infrastructure requirements.

This municipal briefing by GreenCape describes the application of smart water systems—sensor-based networks for real-time data collection and analysis—within South African municipalities. It outlines the technical layers of these networks, provides case studies from Cape Agulhas, Saldanha Bay, and Bergrivier municipalities, and offers a checklist for municipalities to evaluate their readiness for such technology. The document also compares the long-term costs of smart ultrasonic meters versus conventional mechanical meters and lists funding and support resources for water infrastructure projects.

This municipal briefing by GreenCape outlines the implementation of smart water systems in South Africa, detailing their layered architecture, case studies from three municipalities, and a checklist for procurement. It specifically compares the long-term costs and benefits of ultrasonic smart meters versus conventional mechanical meters.

This report details a workshop held on March 5, 2019, at the Century City Conference Centre, organized by GreenCape, Inspired Evolution, and SAPVIA. The event brought together 39 delegates from industry, government, and academia to address the emerging challenge of end-of-life (EOL) solar photovoltaic (PV) panels in Sub-Saharan Africa, focusing on legislative barriers, technical recycling solutions, and logistical strategies to prevent landfilling.

This briefing by GreenCape examines the regulatory landscape and future waste projections for large-scale solar PV modules in South Africa. It highlights the legal obligations of producers under Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations and the necessity of landfill alternatives due to a ban on e-waste. The document forecasts a significant increase in decommissioned modules starting in 2033, presenting a long-term opportunity for the development of a circular economy through reuse, refurbishment, and material recovery.

The Sustainable Mobility Market Analysis and Opportunity Report by GreenCape evaluates the potential for establishing an electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing hub at the Atlantis Special Economic Zone (ASEZ) in the Western Cape, South Africa. It identifies strategic opportunities across various EV segments—from micro-mobility and public transport to heavy trucks—and emphasizes the need to move from simple assembly to local component manufacturing, particularly in battery cells and semi-conductors, to ensure economic sustainability and competitiveness.

This case study by GreenCape examines the role of sustainable urban agriculture (UA) in building socio-economic resilience in the City of Cape Town, focusing on the transition of Nazeer Sonday's Vegkop Polyculture Farm from intensive hydroponic tomato production to a regenerative, diversified farming model.

This case study examines the Darling Green Solar Project in Swartland Municipality, demonstrating how short-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) and the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) can be used to integrate renewable energy into municipal grids while maintaining financial flexibility.

This document is a Terms of Reference (TOR) issued by the GreenCape Sector Development Agency for the provision of energy services to the Freedom Farm and Malawi Camp communities in Cape Town. The project, managed by the Alternative Service Delivery Unit (ASDU) and partnered with Airports Company South Africa (ACSA), aims to provide sustainable electrification to approximately 950 homes, promote community empowerment, and create local jobs between April 2020 and December 2022.

This industry brief by GreenCape examines the potential for textile recycling and fibre recovery in Cape Town, South Africa. It argues that transitioning from a linear to a circular textile economy can futureproof the local clothing, textile, footwear, and leather (CTFL) sector against global supply chain volatility and environmental pressures. The document identifies two primary opportunities: establishing a commercial open-loop downcycling hub and developing Africa's first commercial-scale closed-loop fibre-to-fibre recycling facility.

This report by GreenCape evaluates the financial and operational feasibility of installing solar photovoltaic (PV) systems on agricultural packhouses, using a modelled apple packhouse to demonstrate the business case. It highlights that the primary value of these systems comes from replacing expensive grid electricity during peak daytime demand—driven by cooling and packing activities—rather than selling excess power back to the grid. The analysis concludes that while large-scale systems are consistently profitable, smaller installations require favorable financing to be viable.

This report analyzes the implications of the European Green Deal (EGD) for South African small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and broader trade. It examines the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), the Farm to Fork strategy, and the Circular Economy Action Plan, identifying significant risks in the automotive, mining, and agricultural sectors while highlighting potential export opportunities for environmental goods.

This case study by GreenCape examines how the Victoria & Alfred (V&A) Waterfront in Cape Town built water resilience over a ten-year period through a phased investment in green technologies and behavioral changes. By following a systematic 'Water Resilience Journey'—moving from low-cost efficiency measures to complex alternative water sources—the V&A reduced its annual water consumption by approximately 65% despite expanding its development.

This case study examines how the Southern Sun Newlands hotel in Cape Town improved its water resilience following a severe drought between 2015 and 2018. The hotel implemented a combination of behavioral changes, water-efficiency technologies, and the installation of a groundwater treatment plant to reduce municipal water reliance and operational costs.

The Western Cape Industrial Symbiosis Programme (WISP) is a free facilitation service delivered by GreenCape and initiated by the Western Cape Government to enhance business profitability and sustainability through the exchange of unused or residual resources between companies.

This case study describes an industrial symbiosis project facilitated by the Western Cape Industrial Symbiosis Programme (WISP) between Pallet Cycle, a recycled timber manufacturer, and Cabrico, a clay brick manufacturer. The partnership diverted wood waste from landfills to be used as a sustainable fuel and raw material in brick production.

This case study examines how the City of Cape Town, in partnership with GreenCape’s Western Cape Industrial Symbiosis Programme (WISP), uses industrial symbiosis to improve wood recycling and build economic resilience. The initiative focuses on diverting wood waste from landfills and reducing reliance on virgin materials and imported coal by integrating waste streams back into the manufacturing economy.