April | June 2023 Issue of The Green Agenda

01IndustryNews

05 ECO-INDUSTRIALPARKS: AKEYTOADECARBONISEDSOUTHAFRICANINDUSTRY

07EMPOWERINGTHECIRCULARECONOMYTHROUGHRECYCLING

09YOUTHMOBILISINGFORWATER:TOGETHER, LETS#FILLUPTHEGLASS

11ENERGYEFFICIENCYCANHELPMEET THEWORLD’STHIRSTFORWATER

13CELEBRATINGWILDLIFE

15INFRASTRUCTURELEADERSMUSTADAPTINORDERTOJOIN THEFIGHTAGAINSTCLIMATECHANGE

19WHATAFRICANCONSUMERS’DESIRETOACTAGAINSTCLIMATE CHANGEMEANSFORORGANISATIONS’ESGPLEDGES

21BUILDINGADIGITAL,SUSTAINABLEBANKFORTHEFUTURE

23CLEANENERGYDRIVINGDATACENTRES TOWARDSASUSTAINABLEFUTURE

25SOUTHAFRICANEEDSTOACTNOWANDTRANSITION TOALOW-CARBON,CLIMATE-RESILIENT

27CELEBRATINGEQUALOPPORTUNITIES:THREEABBSOUTHAFRICA WOMENSHARETHEIRINSPIRATIONALSTORIES

29 WHYWENEEDTORETHINKENERGYSECURITYINTHETRANSITIONTONET-ZERO

31WHYISSUSTAINABILITYIMPORTANTINBUSINESS?

35PLASTICSPLAYAPERTINENTROLEINENSURING SA’SWATERINFRASTRUCTUREANDSECURITY

37DEPARTMENTOFWATER&SANITATION

ProtectingOurPlanetStartswithYou

Astheworldskewsintonewdirections,theBRICSalignmentgathersitslongtermmomentum,lndia becomesahugealternatemarketforRussianoil,BeijingreappointsXiJingpinforarecordstayinpower, RussiacontinuesitsatrociousmurdersinUkraine,andSouthAfricaplummetsintoadeathspiralof corruptionandincompetenceingovernance,therearefreshpagesofgoodnewsthatwecanallshare.

Fortheenvironment,theUnitedNationshaspulledtogethereverysovereigncountrytotheagreementof preserving30%oftheoceans'highseas,theareasnotaffectedbylandbasedoffshoreterritorialclaims. Thisisexceptionalnewsforthesustainabilityoflifeontheplanet.Tofollowisasimilarplantoclawback andmake30%oflandavailableaswildlandpreserve.

Whiletheoceanhasbeenthelastinlineforourpollutants,toxicacidrainfallout,aconbobulationof plastics,andindustrialandhumanwastethathaveacceleratedfromshorebasedandriversweptcities andfactories,thetrendisonarolltofindnewandalternatestylesofpackagingthatwesevenbillion peoplewillaccept,readilyuseandputintorecycling.InthisissueofTheGreenAgendaweopenthe insightintosomeofthoseactionshereathomeinSouthAfrica.

Stop-startingthewritingofthiseditorialtoyouinthedarkisoneoftheminorirritantsoftheEskom collapseinacountrywhereendemiccorruptionandindustrialscaletheftandlootinghavegone uncheckedfor15years.Atlastthegoodnewsisabliponthehorizon'sradar.ThismonthofFebruarysaw 700%morerenewablelicencesgrantedthanintheentire2022,Sibanyehasdonatedextensivelandfor theexclusivedevelopmentofsolarenergy,KarpowershipisblockedfromoperatingintheBayof Saldanha,BarbaraCreecyisadamantthattheelectricitystateofdisasterwillnotbypassenvironmental laws,andtheDevelopmentBankofSAwiththeEuropeanInvestmentBankhasjustannouncedan R8billion,C400million,fundforrenewableenergy.

Meanwhile,thestatehasproposeddrasticmeasurestorescuewaterboardsthathavefallenintotheir ownstateofdisasterthroughnegligence,incompetenceanddownrighttheftoffunds.Thiscanonlybe thebestofnewsforareasfacingdrought,regionswhererawsewerageispumpedintoriversandthesea, wherepumpstationsareleftunattendedwithoutpower,where40%ofdrinkingwateriswastedthrough brokenpipesandunattendedrepairs,andcriticallytolittletownslikeCarnarvonwhohasnotownwater andthetapsarenowornamentsinthehome.

Centraltoallthisispower.Andnotjustcomingdowntheelectriccables.Butpowerfromastrongleader. Powerisinthehandsofourcitizenrywhofollowleaderswhodisplayoutstandingcompetence.

RoystonLamond

THEGREENAGENDATEAM

EDITORIALDIRECTOR RoystonLamond

DIRECTOR ThandiswaMbijane

COMMISSIONEDWRITER DianaCaelers

DESIGNANDLAYOUT RichardSmith

ONLINECOORDINATOR ShejaliKandhai

CONTACTDETAILS ThandiswaMbijane•thandi@thegreenagenda.co.za

WEB www.thegreenagenda.co.za

PRODUCTS•HAPPENINGS•EVENTS

GLOBALRECYCLINGDAY2023 FOCUSESONAFRICA

TheGlobalRecyclingFoundationhasannouncedthelaunchofits 2030‘VisionforaGreenAfricaatareceptioninHouseofCommons.

Thefoundation’sAfricaprogrammefor2030issettofocusonfivekey areasoverthecomingyears“tohelpbuildacollectiveapproachfor Africa”.Thekeyareasincludegrowthofrecyclingindustries,education andsustainableinnovativesolutions,promotingcirculareconomy andtheUN’s2030SustainableDevelopmentGoalsaswellas employment,healthandwellbeing.

RanjitBaxi,theGRF’sfoundingpresident,saidthatworkingtogether withitsglobalpartners,thefoundationwill“strivetostrengthenthe greeneconomyofAfricabyenhancingrecyclingacrossitsschools, communities,townsandcities”.

Education

MrBaxiexplainedthatthefoundation“willbelookingathowitcan connectwiththecommunityatlargeandspreadthemessageof recycling”,reiteratingtheimportanceofworkingwiththeyouth.

TheGRFsaidthatin2023/24,itplanstorollouttwokeyprojects–the WasteMastersAfricacardgameandacorrespondingbookseries.The cardgame,whichwillalsocomeintheformofanapp,willaimto spreadthemessageontheurgentneedtostopdumpingwaste, increaserecyclingandreducepollution.

Meanwhile,thebookseriesistocompriseofeighteducationalstudy guidesaboutrecyclingandwastemanagement,targetedatchildren between5-12.Botharesettobedistributedacrosscommunities, schoolsandyouthclubs.

Resource

MrBaxisaidthatincelebrationoftheGlobalRecyclingDay, 10winnersof‘recyclingheroes’chosenfromacrosstheworldwillbe announced,eachawarded$1,000.

Another10awardsforinnovationof$250eachwillbeawardedto thosewhoareabletomakeinnovativeuseofwhatwouldotherwise endupaswaste.Thisistopromoteinnovationamongsttheyouthand theneedtolookatrecyclingmaterialasaresourcetoalsobereused, notjustrecycled,MrBaxiadded.

“Thenext30yearsaresettobeyearsofrapideconomicgrowthfor Africa.Climatechange,however,isarealandpresentissueswith deforestation,drought,displacedpopulationandrisingsealevelsare settoimpactruralandurbaneconomies,”MrBaxicontinued.“Now isthetimeforAfricatoembracesolutionsthattackletheclimate emergencyheadon,andrecyclingisacriticalpartofthepicture.”

SAPVIACEOURGESGOVERNMENT TOSEEKCOUNSELFROM RENEWABLESCOMMUNITY

FollowingtheStateofthe NationAddress(Sona),the SouthAfricanPhotovoltaic IndustryAssociation(Sapvia) haswelcomedthenewsthat thegovernmentwillfurther supporttherolloutofrooftop solarprojects.

“Wearepleasedtonote thatgovernmentsupportfor solarprojectswillbematched with tangibleassistance for householdsaswelltax incentivesforbusinesses.This willcertainlyhelpunleash businessesandhouseholdsto investinrooftopsolarand addresstheloadshedding crisis.

“WewillawaitdetailsofNationalTreasury’sadjustments tothebounce-backloanschemetohelpsmallbusinesses investinsolarequipment,andtoallowbanksand developmentfinanceinstitutionstoborrowdirectlyfrom theschemetofacilitatetheleasingofsolarpanelstotheir customers.Thiswillsupportourmemberstomaximise thesechanges.”

Addressingtheenergycrisis

Notingtheannouncementofastateofdisaster,Melamu urgedgovernmenttoseekcounselfromtherenewable’s community.

“WehavelearnedfromtheCovid-19pandemicthatnavigating apaththroughacrisisreliesongovernmentworkingclosely withexpertsinthefield.Thus,wewouldurgethatrelevant ministriesandgovernmentbodiesengagedirectlywith representativesandspecialistsfromacrosstherenewable energysectortoensurethattheappropriatemeasuresare implementedtoaddresstheenergycrisis.

“Clarityisalsorequiredonthefullpowersoftheministerof electricityandhowgovernmentwillseektoaccelerate electricityprojectsandlimitregulatoryrequirementswhile maintainingrigorousenvironmentalprotections,procurement principlesandtechnicalstandards.SolarPVwillplaya leadingroleinovercomingtheextraordinarycircumstances wefindourselvesin,andSapviastandsreadytosupport this,”saidMelamu.

SapviaCEO DrRethabileMelamu

CITYOFCAPETOWN APPROVESPOTSDAMWWTW UPGRADECONTRACTS

ThePotsdamupgradeprojectissplitintotwocomponents:

1.Mechanicalandelectricaltender:

Thistenderisforthedesign,supply,installationandcommissioning ofmechanicalandelectricalinfrastructuretoupgradeandexpand PotsdamWWTW.

2.Civiltender:

Thistenderisforthecivilconstructionofinfrastructureandbuildings toupgradeandexpandPotsdamWWTW,includingdemolitionworks.

ASection33MunicipalFinanceManagementAct(MFMA)public participationprocessisrequiredforprojectsexceedingthreeyears beforeenteringintoacontractwithaserviceprovider.Councilis expectedtoapprovethison29March.

TheCapeTown’sMayoralCommitteehasgreenlittwo majorconstructioncontractslinkedtotheR5bnupgradeofPotsdam WastewaterTreatmentWorks(WWTW).Thesecontractsarenowsetto serveontheCityCouncilagendaon29March,toapproveafinal statutorypublicparticipationbeforeawardstothesuccessfulbidders. ThisfollowstheCity’stenderappealsauthoritydismissingappeals on bothmajorcontracts.Progressisalsobeingmadeon criticalmaintenanceworktoimprovetreatedeffluentqualityat Potsdam,includingmajorcleaningworktomaturationpondsandthe re-engineeringofnaturalreedbedstopreventpollutionfromreaching theDiepRiver.Readmorebelow:

PotsdamWWTWisbenefitingfromaR5billioncapacityupgrade, from47millionlitresoftreatedwastewaterperdayto100million litresperday.Cutting-edgemembranetechnologyisalsobeing addedtoensurehighwastewatertreatmentstandards.

‘Maycotodaygreenlitthetwomajorconstructioncontractslinkedto theR5bnPotsdamupgrade.Withthetenderappealsdismissed,all thatremainsisa30-daystatutorypublicparticipationbeforethe contractscanbeawarded.ConstructionissettostartinMayonthe Potsdamupgradeifallgoestoplan.Wewillmonitorthisupgrade closelytoensureitstaysontrack.Multibillionrandupgradesto Potsdam,thesurroundingsewernetwork,andpumpstationsarea majorsteptowardsrestoringthehealthofMilnertonLagoon.

‘Consultantsarealsoduetocompletetheirstudyonshort-term interventionstoimprovelagoonwaterqualityandodour,including optionstopotentiallyaerateorbio-remediatethelagoon.TheCity aimstosteadilycloseoffpollutionsourcestothelagoon,buildingup totheultimategoalofdredgingandremovingthesedimentatthe bottom,alongwithdecadesofpollutionbuild-up.Wearecommitted toaddressingthesechallengesinpartnershipwithallwhocare aboutrestoringthehealthofthelagoonenvironment,whichisnonnegotiablefortheCity,’saidMayorGeordinHill-Lewis.

MayorHill-LewissaidtheCity’supcoming2023/24Budget proposesR8,6bnincapitalupgradestowastewatertreatment worksoverthreeyears,alongsideR1,4bninbulksewerupgrades totheMilnerton,CapeFlats,Gordon’sBayandPhilippilines.

ProgressoncriticalPotsdammaintenancework

Workisalreadynearlycompleteonthere-engineeringofnatural reedbedsadjacenttoPotsdamWWTWtopreventpolluted stormwaterfromreachingtheDiepRiver.Thereedbedsarenow betterabletoretainthisstormwater–throughraisedwallsand valveinstallations.Historically,thereedbedsactedasnatural filtersforpollutioninstormwaterbeforeitreachestheDiepRiver. Nowthepollutedstormwatercanbelargelyretained,and pumpedbacktoPotsdamfortreatment.

MajorworktodrainandcleanmaturationpondsatPotsdamis alsounderway,andisexpectedtobecompletebyJune.Effluent ismeanttoberetainedinthesepondsbeforerelease,but pollutionbuild-upinthepondsedimenthaspreventedthis.Asa result,thepondsarecurrentlybeingby-passedusingpumpsasfar aspossible.Oncecleaned,thepondswillbeabletoretainfinal effluent,beforeafinalUVtreatmentofeffluentpriortorelease intotheDiepRiver.Thisissettohaveasignificantpositiveimpact oneffluentquality.

THECOCA-COLACOMPANY ANNOUNCEDTHREEGOALSACCELERATING ITSACTIONONWATERDURINGTHEUN 2023WATERCONFERENCE.

ChairmanandCEOJamesQuinceyparticipatedineventsduring theweektosharehowthecompanyisprioritizingwater investmentswheretheyareneededmost.Thecompany’sholistic 2030waterstrategyaimstoachievewatersecurityinthe company’soperations,localwatershedsandcommunities–where itoperates,sourcesagriculturalingredientsforbeveragesand touchespeople’slives.

“Werecognizethatwaterisessentialtoourbusinessandtothe communitieswhereweoperate,andarecommittedtobeing responsiblestewardsofthisvitalresource,”Quinceysaid.“We wanttodothisbyimprovingwateravailability,quality,accessand governance–andtakingamoregranularwatershed-based approach.Inshort,we’refocusingondoingwhatmattersmost, whereitmattersmost.”

Thecompanyannouncedthreegoalsrelatedtothestrategy’skey focusareas:

•Achieve100%circularwateruse–orregenerativewateruse –across175facilitiesidentifiedas“leadershiplocations” by2030.

•Workwithpartnerstohelpimprovethehealthof60water shedsidentifiedasmostcriticalforthecompany'soperations andagriculturalsupplychainsby2030.

•Aimtoreturnacumulativetotalof2trillionlitersofwaterto natureandcommunitiesglobally,between2021-2030.

Duringtheconference,BeaPerez,SVPandChiefCommunications, Sustainability&StrategicPartnershipsOfficer,announcedthatthe companyisjoiningtheBusinessLeaders’OpenCalltoAccelerateAction onWater–aninitiativeoftheUNGlobalCompact,theCEOWater Mandateandothers.Furtheringcollectiveaction,the companyisjoinedinthiseffortbythreeofitsbottlingpartners–CocaColaFEMSA,ARCAContinentalandCoca-ColaEuropacificPartners.

Thisinitiativemeansthecompanywillpartnertobuildwater resilienceacrossoperationsandsupplychains,andwillworkwith partnerstoachievecollectivepositivewaterimpactinatleast100 vulnerablewaterbasinsby2030.

Additionally,TheCoca-ColaFoundationrecentlyawardeda$1.25 milliongranttoglobalnonprofitImagineH20toscale entrepreneurialsolutionsforwater-stressedandclimate-impacted communities.

HowCoca-ColaApproachesWaterStewardship WaterisapriorityforTheCoca-ColaCompanybecauseitisvitalto itsbusinessandcriticaltopublichealth,foodsecurity,biodiversity

andtheclimatecrisis.Thecompanyhasoperationsnearly everywhereintheworld–inmorethan200countriesandterritories–whichcomeswitharesponsibilitytoaddresswater stress,protectlocalwaterresourcesandhelpbuildcommunity climateresilience.That’swhythecompany’s2030water strategyisfocusedonacceleratingtheactionsneededto increasewatersecuritywherethecompanyoperates,sources ingredientsandtouchpeople’slives.

Thecompanyisfocusedongoodwaterstewardship,starting withinitsownfourwalls,andextendingoutside.Itinvestsin initiativestoreducetheamountofwaterusedinmaking beverages,andtotreatandreusewaterwherepossible.The companyalsoworkstopreservenature,biodiversityand promoteadvancedwatermanagementpractices.

Outsideitsownoperations,onekeyaspectofthestrategyis replenishingthewaterusedinitsproducts.Thismeansforthe amountofwaterusedinfinishedbeverages,thatsameamount isreturnedbacktonatureandcommunities.

Herearesomekeyactionsthecompanyistakingtoachieve itsgoals:

•Workingtoachieveregenerativewateruse–reducing, reusing,recyclingandreplenishingthewaterusedto produceitsbeverages.

•Improvingcommunityaccesstodrinkingwater,sanitation andhygienewhilesupportingpeople–especiallywomen andgirls–toprepareandrapidlyrecoverfrom water-relatedcrises.

•Inprioritywatersheds,establishingandimplementing watershedstewardshipplanstoimprovesharedchallenges (quantity,quality,ecosystems,infrastructure,governance).

•Sourcing“water-sustainable”ingredientsandsupporting nature-basedsolutions.

•Workingwithsupplierssotheyuselesswatertogrow ingredients.

•Partneringwithgovernments,NGOs,communitiesandother companiestoshareresourcesandtakecollectiveaction thatcreatesscaleandadvancesinnovationandscience.

•Advocatingforgoodwatergovernanceandsmartwater policieswhileengagingallstakeholdersonresponsible wateruse–includingcustomersandconsumers.

Thecompanywillcontinuetoworkwithpartnersincludingthe WorldBank’sWaterResourcesGroup,CEOWaterMandate, GlobalWaterChallenge,TheNatureConservancy,WorldWildlifeFund,andmanyothersinpursuitofthesegoals.

“Asweseektoachievelarge-scaleimpactglobally,collective actioniscritical.Wecannotdothisalone,andtoachieve long-termchange,wemustworktogether,”saidMadhu Rajesh,Coca-Cola’sgloballeadforwater&sustainable agriculture.“Wepartnerwithgovernments,NGOs,communitiesandothercompaniestoshareresources,toincreaseallour effortsandtogenerateabiggerimpact.Weencourageothers tojoinusintheseefforts.”

ECO-INDUSTRIALPARKS: AKEYTOADECARBONISEDSOUTHAFRICANINDUSTRY

Fornearlyadecade,theNationalCleaner ProductionCentreSouthAfrica(NCPC-SA)has assistedKwaZulu-Natal(KZN)companies divertwastefromlandfills,savemoneyand createjobsbyimplementinganinnovative exchangeofwasteandunder-utilised resources.

TheNCPC-SAestablishedtheKZNIndustrial SymbiosisProgramme(KISP)in2014to promotecleanerproductionandwaste beneficiationwithintheprovince.TheKISPisa fullyfundedfacilitationservicethatpromotes theexchangeofwasteand/orunder-utilised resources(material,energy,water,waste, assets,logistics,expertise,etc.)ofone companywithanotherthatcanreusethe resource,thusresultinginmutualbenefitsfor allparticipants.

From2015to2022,theNCPC-SAemployed thisapproachtowasteminimisationand diversion,andcompleted230mutuallybeneficialsynergiesorexchangesthatresultedin:

•518000tonnesofwastediverted fromlandfills.

•5millionsavedduetolandfill diversion,and

•7milliontonnesinreductionof greenhousegasemissions.

KZNcompaniesthatenterintomutually beneficialsynergiesdecreaseCO2emissions, landfillcosts,theuseofvirginresources, industrialwaterusage,hazardouswaste, pollution,andtransportationcosts.Theyalso increaseprofits,sales,thepotentialfornew business,andjobcreation.

TheNCPC-SAthroughKISPhasassisted companiestodivertagri-processingwaste, woodorpulpandpaperwasteresources,as wellaschemicalandpackagingmaterials.

“Theimpactofthediversionsvariesbutwhat standsoutisthatthesymbioticinitiativeshave apotentialtoassistcompaniestocreateand retainjobs,whilstreducingcostsofusing

virginmaterials,”statesPearlThusi,NCPC-SA SeniorProjectCoordinator.

Arecentlyestablishedsynergybetweentunnel vegetableandlivestockfarmershelpedboth farmingbusinessesrealisetangiblefinancial benefits.TheKISPassistedthetunnel vegetablefarmertodivertbelow-market qualitycropstoapoultryfarmerthatuses themasfeedinputs.Thepoultryfarmersaves onpurchasingcosts,whilethetunnel vegetablefarmersavesonlandfilldisposal costs.Toviewmoreindustrialsymbiosiscase studies,visittheNCPC-SAwebsite.

“Prioritisingthereductionofwastegeneration andlandfilldiversionisnotonlyparamountfor environmentalsustainability,butviable synergiesprovethatacirculareconomyis possibleandthattangiblebenefitsareclear,” explainsThusi.

TheworkthatisconductedbyKISPdovetails withtheDepartmentofForestry,Fisheriesand theEnvironment’s(DFFE)IndustrialSymbiosis Initiativethatisimplementedinpartnership withtheNCPC-SAinthreeregions:Limpopo, FreeState,KZN,NorthernCapeand Mpumalanga.Thecollaborationincreasesthe reachandimpactoflandfilldiversionsin alignmentwiththeDepartmentofTrade, IndustryandCompetition’smandatefora greeneconomy.TheDFFEinitiativewillcontinueforthenext18months,duringwhich, scaledoutputsandimpactsareexpected.

TheNCPC-SAinvitesallKZNstakeholders workingorwishingtowork,inwaste minimisationtoengagewiththeprogramme tohelpinestablishingsynergyinitiatives effectivelyandsustainably.“KISPhasthe potentialtochangethegameasfaraswaste exchangeisconcerned,”revealsThusi.

Whatispaperrecycling?

Paperrecyclingistheprocess ofcollectingwastepaper andprocessingit mechanicallyandchemically foruseinnewproductssuch aspackagingandtissue.Itis acomplexactivityinvolving citizens,informalwaste collectors,smallbusinesses, buy-backcentresandpaper recyclingmills.

Isyourbuildingmaking theserecyclingmistakes?

Eventhe“greenest”buildingsmakemistakeswhenitcomestosustainable practicessuchasrecycling.Howeveroneofthemostimportant,butoften neglectedstepsinanyrecyclingjourneyisseparation-at-source.

Thesourceisthefinalpointofuseorconsumption.Inthecaseofthebuiltenvironment, thiswouldbeanofficeorfacilitywhereitemssuchaspaperandvariousformsof packagingareusedanddisposed.

Evenwithwastemanagementpracticesinplace,yourrecyclingandsustainabilityefforts couldbethwartedwhenrecyclables,non-recyclablesandwetwasteendupinthesame binorbag.

Manyofficesandbuildingsarewasteseparationbinsavailabletoitsusersandtenants, andmanycompanieswillboastabouttheirseparationatsource.“Howeveryouwilloften seecleanersmovingthroughtheareasatvarioustimesduringtheday,decanting separatedwasteintoonebagwhichdefeatstheobjectofseparationatsource,”says EdithLeeuta,CEOofFibreCircle,theproducerresponsibilityorganisationfortheSouth Africanpaperandpaperpackagingsector.

“Ifaplasticbottleortincancomesintocontactwithamassofwetteabagsorcoffee grounds,it’snottooserious.However,paperandcardboardismadefromnaturalfibres andanycontactwithmoisturewillsetoffthedegradationprocess.

“Paperandpaperpackagingneedstobecleananddrysothatthefibresretaintheir structureandintegrityforthenext[re]cycleintoanewproduct,”saysLeeuta.

Wastepaperisarawmaterialandthushasvalue.Unfortunately,alotofusefulpapergets contaminatedbyfood,liquidsandotherwasteinrefusebins,reducingitssuitabilityfor recyclingandthusitsvalue.

FibreCircleoutlinessomepracticaladvicetomakesurethatpaperandcardboard productsgettowheretheyneedtobe:torecyclingcompaniesinagood,cleanstate sotheycanbereprocessedandmadeintonewpaperproducts.

Keepitseparate–fromsourcetosorting

•Trainyourcleaningandwastemanagementstaffnottodecantthecontentsof differentbinsinthesamebags.

•Evenifthereisawastesortingfacilityonsite,youareduplicatingeffortsand contaminatingrecyclables.

•Whenwetordirtyitems-foodwaste,cigarettebuttsandsoiledtake-away containers-endsupinthepaperrecyclingbin,thiscontaminatesthepaperand reducesitsvalueandstrength.

EdithLeeuta CEOofFibreCircle

PRODUCERRESPONSIBILITYORGANISATION

Labelrecyclingandwastebins

wellwithwordsandpictures

•Makeitclearastowhatproductsarerecyclable,which arecompostableandwhichproductsforlandfill.

•Empoweremployees,contractorsandvisitorswith informationaboutwhatisrecyclableandwhatisnot.

RECYCLABLE

•Commoncardboardboxesof anykind-dryfood,cosmetic andmedicineboxes;rollcores, packingcartons

•Papergroceryand take-awaybags

• Papercoffeecupsandcontainers

•Pizzaboxes,burgerboxesand paper-basedclamshells–removeanyfoodresidue

•Oldtelephonedirectories andbooks

•Magazines

•Newspapers

•Milk,beverageandfoodcartons

NOTRECYCLABLE

•Paperhandtowel

•Tissuesandtoiletpaper

•Wetordirtypaperandcardboard

•Usedpaperplates

•Disposablenappies

• Wax-coated,foil-linedor laminatedboxes

•Cementanddogfoodbags Foilgiftwrapping,carbonand laminatedpaper

Makeiteasyandconvenienttorecycle

Weareallhuman.Nobodylikestowalktoofartothrow somethingaway.

•Installpaperrecyclingreceptaclesinkeylocationsandcouple withbinsforotherrecyclablesandfoodandnon-recyclablewaste:

•Ateachdesk

•Ateachprinting/copyingstation

•Inmeetingandbreakrooms,andkitchenareas

•Inreception

Astudyaroundcontainerproximityshowedthat only28%ofpaperwasrecycledwhererecycling containerswerecentrallylocated,butwhen recyclingcontainerswereplacedinclose proximity(ondesksetc)toparticipants,85% to94%ofallrecyclablepaperwasrecycled.

FibreCircle www.fibrecircle.co.za 0118035063 info@fibrecircle.co.za

YOUTHMOBILISINGFORWATER:TOGETHER, LETS#FILLUPTHEGLASS

ElysaVaillancourtisYouthProjectManagerattheInternationalSecretariatforWater

Unlesswedrasticallychangethewaywemanagefreshwater,global demandwilloutstripsupplyby40%by2030.Forthefirsttimesince 1977,waterwillbeatthetopoftheagenda,asworldleadersgatherto committothemostimportantandpressingwater-relatedissuesduring theUnitedNations2023WaterConference.Whyisthisanimportant moment?Becausewaterisourmostpreciousresource.Itisessentialto createandsustainanyformoflife.Itisalsoanimportantdriverto achieveamoreequalandpeacefulworld.WaterevenhasitsownGlobal Goal:Goal6–CleanWaterandSanitation.

Despiteitsclearimportanceforpeopleandtheplanet,globalleaders havenotmettodiscusswater-relatedissuesinover46years!

Tothisday:

•Over2billionpeoplestilldonothaveaccesstosafewater.

•Poorsanitationaffectsover3.6billionpeople.

•90%ofnaturaldisastersarewater-related.

•Over80%ofwastewaterisreleasedinnaturewithouttreatment.

•Widespreaddroughtsaresettobecomethenextpandemicas climatechangeintensifies.

HOPEINACRISIS

Ourleaders’inactiononthemultiplecriseshasleftmanyactivistsand campaignersdiscouraged.Asayoungwaterandclimateactivistfrom Canada,Icomefromacountrythathassignificantlycontributedtothe currentclimatecrisisandthatstillbenefitsfromsome20%oftheworld’s totalfreshwaterresources.Whentravelingabroadforthefirsttime,Iwas takenabackbythelackofaccesstosafewater,andpoorsanitation, whichaffectssomanycommunitiesaroundtheglobeandbytheimpacts ofwidespreaddroughtsonpeople’slives.Isooncametorealisethatthe currentstateoftheworldwasdeeplyunfair,asthosehavingleast contributedtotheclimatecrisiswerethemostimpactedbyitseffects, whicharealmostentirelywater-related.

However,thereisstillreasontobehopeful.Thisyear,WorldWaterDay, whichhasbeenheldon22Marcheveryyearsince1993,andtheUN’s WaterConference,presentauniqueopportunitytoacceleratesolutions tothewaterandsanitationcrisis.Theconferencewilladdressthe followingthemes:WaterforHealth,WaterforSustainableDevelopment, WaterforClimate,ResilienceandEnvironment,WaterforCooperation& WaterActionDecade.Whiletherewillbenonegotiatedoutcometothe conference,allstakeholdersareinvitedtomakevoluntarycommitments throughtheWaterActionAgenda.

THEPOWEROFYOUTH

Inthelead-uptothisimportantmoment,thousandsofyouthandallies havecometogetherthroughtheGlobalYouthMovementforWater (GYMW)toamplifythevoicesofourgeneration.Launchedduringthe9th WorldWaterForuminSenegal(2022)bytheInternationalSecretariatfor Water,theSwissAgencyforDevelopmentandCooperationandthe Senegaleseorganisers,theGYMWbringstogetherover370youth-led organisationsandalliestoinfluencedecision-makers,increaseour negotiatingpowerandencourageactionaroundtheglobe.Youngpeople under35makeupmorethanhalfoftheworld’spopulationandwe’re amongthehardesthitbythewatercrisis.Despitebeingagentsofchange inarapidlychangingworld,wearerarelyincludedinmajordecisionmakingprocessesaboutglobalissues.Infact,only2.6%oftheworld’s parliamentariansareunder30.Thisneedstochange!

Thisconferenceisouropportunitytorallytheworldaroundourmost preciousandfiniteresource:cleanwater.Overthepastyears,we’vebeen inspiringchangethroughconcreteactionsinthousandsofcommunities worldwideandyouth-ledinitiativesandorganisationshavemultipliedat alllevels.Butweneedmore.Weneedmorecommitmentandmorebold politicalwill.The#FIllUpTheGlasscampaignwasthuslaunchedtocreate ayouthmovementforwaterthattheworldcannolongerignore.

InNepal,theDrinkPaniinitiativeisusingcitizen-sciencetoenhance drinkingwatersecurity.TheCentralAsiaYouthforWaterNetworkis strengtheningregionalwatercooperationanddiplomacytoensure sustainablepeacethroughjointefforts.InLatinAmerica,ReddeJovenes porelAguaisadvocatingforuniversalaccesstowaterandsanitation. Theseareonlyafewofthemanyinspiringexamplesofhowyouthare leadingthewayinallpartsoftheworld.

Asweseektomakeamuchbiggerimpact,webelievecooperationacross generations,countriesandsectorsisthemosteffectivewaytobetter manageandpreserveourmostvaluableresource.Forthesakeofour generationandthosestilltocome,wemustcometogether to#FillUpTheGlass.

AsthethemeforWorldWaterDay2023is“AcceleratingChange”,we committostrengtheningcollaboration,coordinationandpeer-to-peer learningamongstyouthorganisationsinthewaterspaceandto amplifyingouractions,outreachandimpactthroughaunitedvoicefor theimplementationofGlobalGoal6.

WATER=PEACE

AttheUNConference,wecallonourdecision-makerstoobtainaUN GeneralAssemblyResolutioncallingontheestablishmentofregular intergovernmentalmeetingsonwaterwithintheUN.Furthermore,we encouragethenominationofaUNYouthEnvoyonWaterandaYouth AdvisoryGrouponWater,representingdifferentregionsoftheworld. Wealsocallontheimportanceofensuringthatyouthandwomen receiveadequateeducationtoacquiretheknowledgeandskills necessarytofulfilltheirroleasagentsofchange.Finally,webelievethat youngpeoplemustbeincludedinallwater-relatedmechanisms,

negotiationsanddecisionssothattheycanbepartofthesolution. Waterisaninstrumentofpeace,andcooperationisneededtoguarantee peacefulsocieties.

Nomatterwhereyouare,youcanpartakeinourmovementandactnow becauseyouhavethepowertoinspirechange!Smallthingsaddupand everyactionisadropintheseaofchange.

Tolearnmoreaboutthe#FIllUpTheGlasscampaign:https:// filluptheglass.org/

PawelCzerwinski

Energyefficiencycanhelpmeet theworld’sthirstforwater

TheUNestimatesthatovertwobillionpeopledonothaveaccesstosafe drinkingwater,andoverfourbillionpeopledonothaveaccesstosafe sanitationservices.WorldWaterDay2023isanopportunitytoreflectonthe stepswemusttaketoachievetheUN’ssixthSustainableDevelopment Goal:“Ensuringtheavailabilityandsustainablemanagementofwaterand sanitationforall.”

Itisworthconsideringtheeconomicsofwaterandwastewater processing.Thesesectorsarecurrentlyveryenergy-intensive,consuming approximately4percentoftheworld’stotalelectricity.Highenergy consumptionraisescosts.Onaverage,energycostsmakeup45percent ofthecostofcleanwater.

Therefore,makingwaterandwastewaterprocessingmoreenergyefficient iskeytoextendingthesenecessitiestomorepeople.Atthesametime,lower energyusereducesthesector’scarbonfootprintandoperatingcosts–everyonebenefits.

Opportunitiesforefficiency

Everyprocessinthesector–fromwatertreatmenttotransportation, wastewatertreatmentanddesalination–reliesonpumping.Fortunately, technologyisavailablethatsignificantlyreducestheamountofelectricity thepump’smotorrequirestodeliverthesameoutput.

Bothexistingandnewmotorscanbefittedwithavariablespeeddrive (VSD).Thisincreasesenergyefficiencybyadjustingamotor’sspeedand torquetopreciselymeettherequirementsoftheprocess.

Withoutadrive,amotorrunsatfullspeedallthetimeandflowspeedis controlledbythrottling–that’slikedrivingacarbykeepingonefootonthe acceleratorandusingthebrakestocontrolthespeed.Withadrive,the motorrunsexactlyasfastasnecessary,usuallywellbelowfullspeed.This enablessignificantenergyefficiencygains–oftenupto30percent,and sometimesevenmore.

Waterandwastewaterfacilitiescanalsoimprovetheirenergyefficiencyby selectingthemostefficientmotors.Manycountriesusethemotorefficiency classessetoutbytheInternationalElectrotechnicalCommission(IEC).These classesrangefromIE1toIE4.EachincreaseinIEnumber,suchasfromIE3 toIE4,representsa20percentdecreaseinenergylosses,meaningthatthe motorismoreefficient.

FromJuly2023,theEUEcodesignregulationwillrequireaminimum efficiencyofIE4formanytypesofmotorsinnewinstallationsandupgrades.

ThismakesEuropethefirstregionintheworldtorequireIE4efficiency,and othersaresuretofollow.

Synchronousreluctance(SynRM)motorstechnologytakesitevenastep furtherbyachievingIE5efficiency.Theyaredesignedtoworkasapackage solutionwithVSDsandaresignificantlymoreefficientthanoldermotors.For example,replacinganexistingIE2motorwithaSynRMmotor-drivepackage deliversupto50percentlowerenergylosses.

ABB’sefficientmotorsaredesignedtobedrop-inreplacementsforolder models,soupgradingisusuallystraightforward.Furthermore,theenergysavings willdeliverarapidreturnoninvestment.Typically,inmonthsratherthanyears.

Efficientwastewatertreatmentinaction

TheoperatorsatasewagetreatmentplantinBocholt,Germany,aimedto improvetheirfacility’sefficiencytoreduceitscarbonemissions.They identifiedthepumpsasthebestopportunitytoreduceelectricityuseand replacedthemotorswithIE5SynRMmotor-drivepackages.

Duringtherenovation,theyalsoimprovedthepumps’impellergeometryto improvetheirmechanicalefficiency.Theplantstillcleans108,000cubic metersofwastewatereveryday,butnowituses40percentlessenergy.

ElsewhereinGermany,atWürttemberg,awatertreatmentfacilityis responsibleforsofteningthepotablewater.Theprocessrequiresenergyintensivecompressors,butthefacilitypowersthemusingIE5SynRMmotors pairedwithVSDs.Combinedwithotherenergysavingmeasures,theplant cutitsenergyuseby32percentinjustoneyear.

InSinai,Egypt,meanwhile,theworld’slargestwastewatertreatmentplant alsosetboldefficiencygoals.TheBahrElBakarplantuses20highlyefficient IE4motors,eachpairedwithaVSD.Itprocessesagriculturalwastewaterto produce5,600,000cubicmetresoftreatedwatereveryday.Aswellas enablingtheplanttouselesselectricity,thesemotorsalsoimprovethe pumps’reliability.

Energyefficiencyisanessentialstep

Today,therearebillionsofpeoplewithoutaccesstothewaterand wastewaterservicesthatmanyofustakeforgranted.Thereare,ofcourse, otherchallengestoachievingthisbeyondefficiency.However,energy efficiencyisakeysteptoprocessingwaterinacost-effectiveand environmentallysustainableway.

ByHelenSydneyAdams

StefanFloeck,PresidentIECLVMotorsatABB,exploreshowenergyefficiency canincreasethevolumeofsafedrinkingwater

CelebratingWildlife

TheodoreRooseveltoncesaid:“Thewildlifeanditshabitatcannot speak,sowemust,andwewill.”Todojustthat,March3,2023has beenproclaimedasWorldWildlifeDay.Thisyear’sglobaleventwill bethe10th anniversaryofthisinitiative,launchedbytheUnited NationsGeneralAssembly,tocelebrateandraiseawarenessofthe world’splantsandanimals.

Eachyearsince2015WorldWildlifeDayhasadoptedathemeto focustheenergiesoforganisationsaroundtheworldworkingto protectthebiodiversityofourplanet.Amongthesethemesoverthe pastdecadehavebeen‘ThefutureofWildlifeisinourhands’,‘Big cats–predatorsunderthreat’,and‘ForestsandLivelihoods: sustainingpeopleandplanet’.

Thisyear’sWorldWildlifeDaythemeis‘PartnershipsinWildlife Conservation’andinthisspiritofco-operationtheUnitedNations invitedanumberofitssignatoryorganisationstoaddressthe importanceofthisDayonMarch3,2023.

Oneofthemostpowerfulofthesemessageswasdeliveredby MoniqueEloit,theDirectorGeneraloftheWorldOrganisationfor AnimalHealth.Inheraddress,MsEloitimpartedsomeshocking figurestounderlinetheurgencyofpreservingplantandanimallife forthebenefitofall.Shestates,

“Overthelast50yearsthepopulationsizeofvertebratespecieshas decreasedby68%.What’smore,closeto40%ofamphibian,25% ofmammalsand14%ofbirdsareindangerofextinction.”

TheDirectorGeneralwentontoemphasisetheimportanceof recognisingthatbiodiversityplaysavitalroleinmaintaininghealthy andfunctioningeco-systems.“Theseeco-systems,whichgreatly benefithumans,providesupplyservices,culturalservicesand regulatoryserviceswhicharevitaltousall,”explainsEloit. WorldWildlifeDaycantraceitsrootsbackhalfacenturyagowhen

theConventiononInternationalTradeinEndangeredSpeciesofWild FaunaandFlora(CITES)wassignedin1973.Thisdeclarationaimed toraiseawarenessofdestructivepractisesthreateningourplanet’s sustainability.SincethenCITEShasundertakentoforgepartnerships withorganisationsandcommunitiesaroundtheworldtoencourage greenpractises.

AchimSteiner,anadministratorfortheUnitedNationsDevelopment Programme,saidinhisWorldWildlifeDay2023messagethat transformationalchangecanonlybeachievedthroughpartnerships withgovernments,keypartnerslikeCITES,indigenouspeoplesand localcommunities,civilsociety,youngpeopleandtheprivatesector.He adds,“atUNDPweknowthemajorinroadsthatcanbemadeto protectandrestorewildlifethroughco-operation.Forexample, considerArgentina,wherewildjaguarsarereturningtohabitatswhere theyhadbeenabsentfor70years,inpartasaresultoftheeffortsby localcommunities,theGlobalEnvironmentFacility,aswellasUNDP.”

LookingtoGhana,Steinerexplains,“TheUNDPisnowworkingwith variouspartners,includingthegovernment,theGreenClimateFund andtheGlobalShareAlliance,torestore500000hectaresof savannaforestsandshareparkland.”

Eva-Last,aglobalmanufacturerandsupplierofbamboo-composite buildingmaterials,hasadistinctenvironmentalcultureandfocusin allthatitdoes.Dedicatedtohelpingconservenature,Eva-Lastnot onlysourcesmoresustainableandrecyclablematerialstoproduceits compositeproducts,butemploysgreenmanufacturingpracticeswith itszerowastepolicyanduseofsolarpowerintheproduction facilities.AmongstEva-Last’smanysatisfiedclients,aresomeofthe mostacclaimedgamelodgesontheplanet.Contributingtoguests’ enjoymentandpersonalenrichment,astheyimmersethemselvesin nature,isahugefactorinthesatisfactionthatEva-Lastgarnersinits pursuitofexcellenceinthefieldofsustainablebuildingmaterials.

AkeyfactorinchoosingEva-Last’scompositematerials,formanyclients, isthatitismakingasignificantcontributiontotheglobalproblemofdeforestation.“WhenweformedEva-Lastbackin2006,werealisedthat byusingbambooforacorestructureforourdecking,wewouldbeable tomakeabigcontributiontotheenvironment,”saysNathanChapman, Co-FounderofEva-Last.

“Weusebambooinallthreeofourdeckingranges,aswellasour claddingproducts,andbambooisfarlessimpactfulontheenvironment thantimber.Atypicaltreethatyieldswoodforconstructionpurposes requires20yearstoreachmaturationafterharvestingwhilebamboo onlytakesaquarterofthetime,”saysChapman.

Headds,“Thepolymerthatweuseinourcompositesisalsoallobtained fromrecycledplastic,andregrindproduct,thatwouldotherwiseendup inwastedumps,soonceagainourimpactontheenvironmentwith theseproductsisextremelypositive.”

Eva-Lastcanpointtovariousprojectswhereitsproductsareusedin gamelodgelocations,orinsimilarwildernessexperiencevenues,where wildanimalshavebeenknowntoenjoyEva-Lastmaterialssuchas walkwaysanddeckareas.“Wehaveevenhadcaseswhereelephants

havebeenrecordedtreadingonourwalkwaysandconsiderthese scenariosasasortofpost-productionaccelerated-durabilitytesting,” notesMarcMinne,CEOandCo-FounderofEva-Last.

“Thefactthatourproductsaretoughenoughtowithstandtheweightof anelephantisevidenceoftheperformancequalityandstructuralintegrity ofourproducts,whichfaroutweighsthatoftimber,”saysMinne.

“Oneofthepleasuresofproducingourcompositerangeisknowing thatweareplayinganimportantpartinbringingmoreandmorepeople toexperiencethewondersofnature.Asignificantportionofourdecking productionisusedtoprovideviewsofsomeofthemostspectacular naturalenvironmentsintheworld,thankstothemanyprojectswehave undertakenatsomeofthemostacclaimedgamelodges,”saysMinne.

Minneconcludes,“thisyear’sthemeof‘PartnershipsforWildlife Conservation’tiesinperfectlywithourcompany’ssustainabilityethos becauseweseeourcompanyaspartnersinthequesttoappreciate natureinallitsfunctionandform,doingourparttoensureits sustainability.Formanyreasons,weapplaudandsupporttheinitiative ofWorldWildlifeDayonMarch3,2023andhopethatmanyothers find causeinbuildingagreenerfutureforall.”

Infrastructureleadersmustadaptinorder tojointhefightagainstclimatechange

AttheCOP27summitheldinEgypt,worldleadersfinallycloseda dealtoassistdevelopingcountriesbeingaffectedbyclimate disasters–aclearindicationthatwearefirmlyinatimeofaction regardingclimatechange.

AsarecentUnitedNationsreportreveals,thenumberofclimate disastersgloballyhasdoubledoverthepasttwodecades. Seriousenvironmentaleventssuchastheseimpact infrastructureinseveralways,fromdisruptingwatersupply andconveyancetoflooding,impairingabove-ground infrastructuresuchasroadsandbridges,anddamagingbuildings.

Asaresult,engineers,architects,anddevelopersarenow compelledtocontinuallyseekoutwaysinwhichto ‘futureproof’constructionandinfrastructureprojects.

Therearemanypracticalwaysandnewtechnologiesthatcan assistinpreparingagainstanypotentialfutureenvironmentaldamage.Butleadersintheinfrastructuresectorwillalso havetoadapttheirwaysofthinkingifwearetoachievethegoal ofreducingcarbonemissions,pushingthemoutsideoftheir comfortzoneandforcingthemtoobtainnewcapabilities.

LikeGapInfrastructureCorporation(GIC),companieswhichare involvedinlarge-scaleprojectsmustbecognisantofhowthiswill impactdemandsonleadership.Traditionally,infrastructureleaders withanengineeringortechnicalbackgroundhavenotalways beeninvolvedinsuchareasofexpertiselikeclimatechange.But asmodernleaders,itisnowcrucialtoidentify,understandand drivecompanies’socialandenvironmentalagendaaswell.

Infrastructureprojectshaveanenormoussocialandenvironmentalimpact.For thisreason,mostemployeesandinvestorsrightlyexpectthatprojectswillbe constructedwithsustainabilityinmindandexecutedinawaythatprovides long-termvaluetocommunities.Whenleadersbelieveinthissharedmission, theyaremoresuccessfulinconvincingallstakeholderstocommittowards fulfillingandultimatelyrealisingthesegoals.

Additionally,amidstgrowingcompetitionfortalentwithinthesector, infrastructureleadersmustfurthercommunicatethesocietalpurposeoftheir companieswithtransparencyandauthenticitytoattractandretainstaff.This meansthattobesuccessful,futureleaderswillhavetodevelopanimmense senseofpurposeregardingtheirwork.Theymustbeabletoauthentically communicatetheirorganisation’spurpose,andshouldviewsustainabilityand strategyascohesiveideas.

Asaleaderintheinfrastructureindustry,Iunderstandthattheserequirements arenotinsignificant,norarethechallengesthatcompaniesfaceinprioritising sustainabilityateveryleveloftheirorganisationsandprojects.Finishing projectsontime,withinabudget,whilestillmeetingemissionreductiontargets isnosimpletask.

Therefore,itisimportantforleaderstoworkacrosstheirvaluechainswithall stakeholderstoadapttheconventionaleconomicmeasurementsagainstwhich thesuccessofaprojectisdetermined.Furthermore,infrastructureleadersmust campaignforchangebyusingtheirpowertopushforimprovedlawswhichwill quickeninnovationandinvestmentingreentechnologyanddecarbonisation.

Ultimately,itistimetoembracecreativityandcollaborationtoreduce emissionswithintheinfrastructureindustry–valueswhichwouldnot necessarilyfactortraditionallyintoaninfrastructureleader’sskills.However,we canonlycreatepermanentchangeifourindustryleadersformstrong cross-sectorrelationshipstofindcreativesolutionstoimproving environmentaloutcomes.

Wecanachieveourgoalsofreducingemissionsifwehiremoreleaderswho thinkoutofthebox,challengenormsandlookatproblemsfromaunique angle,inordertochangelives.

ByOlebogengManhe,ChairmanoftheGapInfrastructureCorporation

Eco-Industrial parks: A key to a decarbonised South African Industry

South African industrial parks or industrial spaces play a critical role in supporting economic development, attracting foreign investment and creating employment in the manufacturing sector. This sector is among the country’s largest direct and indirect carbon emissions contributor, leading to climate change and many other challenges such and extreme weather conditions. However, transitioning from traditional industrial parks to Eco-Industrial Parks or EIPs can help change this bleak picture.

An Eco-Industrial Park is defined by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) as “A community of manufacturing and service businesses located together on a common property. Member businesses seek enhanced environmental, economic, and social performance through collaboration in managing environmental and resources.”

The EIP programme promotes the greening of industrial parks by improving resource productivity, economic, environmental, and social performances of businesses.

With backing from the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition the dtic), South Africa is one of seven countries leading the charge for the revitalisation of industrial parks to eco-industrial parks through the Global Eco-Industrial Parks Programme (GEIPP). The GEIPP is implemented by and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) globally and the National Cleaner Production Centre South Africa (NCPC-SA) locally.

While the EIP approach encourages park companies to collaborate and create synergies to gain a competitive advantage through the physical exchange of materials, energy, water and by-products, the NCPC-SA supports the transition through providing resource efficient and cleaner production (RECP) assessments to ascertain potential resource and financial savings. Industrial parks and tenant companies who take advantage of the NCPC-SA services have so far advanced in their transition to an EIP journey.

About the NCPC-SA

The National Cleaner Production Centre South Africa is a national support programme that drives the transition of South African industry towards a green economy through appropriate resource efficient and cleaner production (RECP) interventions.

The NCPC-SA’s mission is to drive RECP in industrial and selected commercial and public sectors by equipping them to operate in an efficient, sustainable and competitive manner.

Services and focus areas include industry and sector knowledge-sharing, company technical support; green skills development; and advocacy and awareness-raising.

Other Services:

Green skills development

The NCPC-SA offers training courses designed to offer a comprehensive learning pathway for introductory, end-user and expert level courses in Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production (RECP) and other green fields.

Industry and sector knowledge sharing

NCPC-SA offers capacity building workshops in the green economy and participates in industry events participation.

Company technical support

• The Industrial Water Efficiency Project promotes the transformation of industrial water use practices in South Africa to reduce water consumption and improve industrial water effluent quality.

• Through the Industrial Energy Efficiency, the NCPC-SA has supported industry with the adoption of Energy Management Systems aligned with the ISO 50001 and the Energy Systems Optimisation approach.

• The Industrial Symbiosis Programme provides opportunities for synergies between companies that HAVE under- or unutilised resources with other companies who need and can the resources to create new business opportunities.

For more information visit www.ncpc.co.za or email ncpc@csir.co.za

WhatAfricanconsumers’desiretoactagainstclimate changemeansfororganisations’ESGpledges

AlthoughAfrica’scontributiontoglobalcarbonemissionsremains negligible,thecontinentisalreadyfeelingdisproportionateeffects fromclimatechangeandwillbearmostofitsconsequencesinthe comingyears.AndAfricanconsumersarestartingtoworryaboutthat.

Our2022pan-Africansurveyofconsumersentimentshowsthat “effectsofclimatechange”isamongthetopthreeconcernsof Africanconsumers,withtwothirdsofconsumersdeclaringthat theyworryaboutitseffectsoneconomiesandcommunities,inline withtheglobalaverage.Buttheydon’tjustworryaboutit.They alsofeelthatisittheirpersonalresponsibilitytoaddressit,farmore thantheirglobalcounterparts.Willthissenseofresponsibility translateintoaction?I’mnotsuregiventheaffordabilityimperative,butcompanieswhoplaythesocialandsustainabilitycardwill clearlyappealtothisfeeling.

LastOctober,weasked6,000consumersinSouthAfrica,Kenya, Ethiopia,Nigeria,Morocco,andEgyptabouttheireconomicand socialconcerns.Whileinflationtoppedthelist,amajorityofconsumersinallsixcountriescitedtheeffectsofclimatechangeasa majorworry,especiallyincountriesthatwereseverelyhitbynatural disastersinthepastyears.Droughtandfloodweretheeffectsconsumersmentionedmost,followedbyhightemperatures,famine, watershortages,andlackofsafety.InKenya,wheredroughtsare

threateningfoodsecurity,theeffectsofclimatechangeworried 83%ofconsumers,rankingsecondamongtheirconcerns.InSouth Africa,wheredevastatingfloodswerewitnessed,itrankedthird (62%),afterconcernsabouttherecentpriceincreaseofgoodsand services(85%)andworriesaboutpersonalfinances(71%).

Moststrikingly,however,theAfricanconsumerswesurveyedare farmorelikelythantheirglobalcounterpartstobelievethatit’s theirresponsibilitytoactinthefaceofclimatechange.InSouth Africa,nearly60%ofconsumersfeelresponsibletoact,compared to80%inNigeriaand76%inKenya.Almost60%ofthose surveyedtoldusthattheyfeelthisobligation,wellabovethe20% whosaidsoinglobalpeercountries.ThismaybebecauseAfrican consumersseeeverydaytheeffectsofclimatechangeontheir communities.Orbecausetheyarelessconfidentthantheirglobal counterpartsthattheirgovernmentswilltakeaction.Orbecause sustainabilityclaimsbycorporatesoperatinginAfricaremainshy. Oralloftheabove.

Buildingonthissenseofresponsibility

Itistruethatwillingnesstoact,however,isnotthesameastaking action.ButAfricanconsumersaretellingusthatsustainabilitycan beasellingpoint.Sohowcangovernmentsandcorporatesbuild onthissenseofresponsibility?

NomavaZanazo,consultantatBostonConsultingGroup,Johannesburg

Clearlynotbymakingsustainabilitypledgesondecarbonisation,net zeroandrecyclingonly.Africaproduces3.8%ofglobalemissions, and65%ofpeoplelivinginAfricastillneedaccesstoelectricityand robustinfrastructure.Africanconsumers’concernisnotabout reducingemissionsandsustainableconsumption;itismorerelated tosupportingtheirlocalcommunities,especiallyinruralareas,who keepsufferingfromtheeffectsofclimatechange.

Ourglobalresearchrevealedthatnearly3outofevery4consumers admittedtofeelingwaryofcorporatesustainabilityclaimsand commitmentsandthatonly1%to7%havepaidapremiumfor sustainablepurchases.Whileourglobalsurveyconfirmedthatmost consumersarereadytoembracesustainableproducts,it’sclearthat companiesstillhavealongwaytogotoinspiretheconsumeraction neededtohelpreachglobalclimateambitions.

Indevelopingcountries,corporatescansucceedbymakingstrong ESGpledges,butthesecannotbethesamekindsofpledgesthey’re makinginmorematurecountries.Corporatestooshouldbeworking towardadaptationratherthanmitigation.Thoseadaptationsmust focusonmakingsustainabilityaccessibleandaffordable.

Companiesmustunderstandwhyconsumershesitatetoadopt sustainableproductsandservicesandtheneitherinnovatetoremove

realbarriersorusecommunicationtoaddressperceivedbarriers.For example,manyconsumersthinksustainablealternativestoproducts andservicessimplydon’texist,evenwhentheyareplentifulonthe market.Andconsumerswhoareawarethatsustainableproductsand servicesexistmayassumethattheyarealotmoreexpensivethan theyactuallyare.Consumerswhoareonthefenceaboutmaking sustainablepurchasesforcostreasonsneedtoseeclearerprice communicationtocombatthismisperception.

Byunderstandingconsumers’coreneeds,andbyremovingrealor perceivedbarriersthroughinnovationandcommunication, companiescansignificantlyincreasesustainableoutcomes.

Locally,strategiescanincludeexploringandemphasisinglocaland moreseasonalproductsandprovidingsupporttothecommunities mostaffectedbyclimatechange.Emphasisinglocalgoods,infact, willbeamongthemostimportantwaysofprovidingsupporttothese communities,fuellingavirtuoussustainabilitycycle.

Africanconsumerswillwelcometheopportunitytomakesustainable choices.Themostsuccessfulcompanieswillfindnewandcreative waystomakethosechoicesavailable.

Buildingadigital,sustainablebankforthefuture

TakalaneKhashane,ManagingDirector,IronMountainSouthAfrica Banking,likemanyothersectors,hasrespondedtorapidchangeand evolvingcustomerneedsbydevelopingadigitalstrategy.Banksin SouthAfricaareincreasinglyusingnewtechnologies,digitalsolutionsanddataanalyticstoreimagineandenhancecustomerservice andprovidepersonalisedofferings.Dataincreasinglyholdsthekeyto apositivecustomerexperience–especiallyforbanksprioritising sustainability.

Agrowingbodyofresearchillustrateshowwidespreadtheshiftto digitalis.ArecentreportbyDiscoveryBankinpartnershipwithBCG, theFutureofRetailBanking,foundthatmostSouthAfricansarefully readytodotheirbankingdigitally.

Nearlyallcustomers–86%–expressedapreferenceforconducting theirday-to-daybankingdigitally,whileapproximately60%said theywouldbecomfortablewithacompletelydigitalfull-spectrum bankingoffering.Overtwo-thirds,69%,ofSouthAfricansbelieve thatlocalbankswillhavetransitionedtoafullydigitalbankingexperienceby2027.Otherbankswhocaterforthelesssophisticated customerswhomaybewillingtousedigitalbankingbuthaveno accesstomobiledevices,computers/laptopsordatawillcontinueto needphysicalpresence.Wherephysicalpresenceisrequired,their branchwillneedtohavemoreself-serviceportstogivecustomers thedigitalexperienceandtheabilitytoself-service.

Foreconomiesthatmaystillhavechallengeswithphysicalinfrastructure, digitalsolutionscanhelpovercomebarrierstoensureallpartsofsociety haveaccesstoservicescriticalfortheirwell-beingandaspirations.

Inthisincreasinglydigitalage,dataholdsthekeytomeetingcustomerneedsmorethaneverbeforebypersonalisingproductsand servicestoacustomer’suniqueprofileandbehaviour.Asdatacontinuestogrowinvolume,velocityandvariety,retailbanksneedtosafeguardandprotectit,especiallymoresensitivecustomerinformation.

Thegoodnewsisdatacannowbemanagedthroughoutitslifecycle sothatitisbetterorganised,moreaccessible,andsecure.Keytoeffectivelyconvertingdatatoactionableinsightssecurelyisanorganisation-wideinformationlifecyclemanagementframeworkthatis

comprehensiveacrosshowinformationiscollected,used,stored,and thensafelydisposed.

Embracingthesustainablefutureofbanking Itisevidentthatthedigitalfutureofbanking,underpinnedbythe powerofdata,isbothinevitableandimminent.Whatisalso inevitableisthatthefutureofbankingneedstobesustainable.

Researchonorganisationalresilience,conductedbyEconomist ImpactwithC-Suiteexecutives,foundsustainabilitytobeatopfive businesspriorityalongsideareassuchasdigitaltransformationand cybersecurity.Asbusinessesdevelopandcommunicatetheir sustainabilitycredentials,thosewhoembracesustainablesolutions willhavetheedge.

Sustainabilityisquicklybecomingthenextfrontierofcompetitive advantageforbanksandisapillarforfuturegrowth.Accordingto anotherBCGreport,introducingenvironmental,social,and governance(ESG)-relatedproductsincorebusinesslinescould generatesubstantialrevenueforretailbanksgloballyandinSouth Africa.A20%ESG-relatedshareinnewretailbankingrevenuesin thenextfiveyears,forexample,wouldresultinaroughly10% shareoftotalretailbankingrevenues—approximately$300billion—by2025.

TheEdelmanTrustBarometerfoundthat88%ofinvestorsbelieve companiesthatprioritiseESGinitiatives,includingsustainability,representbetteropportunitiesforlong-termreturnsthancompanies thatdonot.

Tofullyunlockthisvalue,retailbankswillneedtodevelopstrongESG goals.ManybanksarealreadyfocusingondevelopingrobustESG targets.TheBCGstudyshowednearlyhalfofretailbanksareprimarilyfocusedonenvironmentalsustainabilityissues,suchasreducing energyconsumptioninoffices,and60%areprioritisinggovernance issues,includingmanagingcriticalriskincidents,buildingcyber-resilience,anddevelopingpredictiveriskanalyticstoensureimproved preparednessandmitigation.

Additionally,bankswillbeabletobuildoutnewenablerssuchas

greenproductofferingsalongsidetheirexistingproducts.Data, alongwithdevelopingAItools,willbecrucialtounderstandingthe environmentalandsocietalimpactsoftheirbehaviours,aswellas havingacleargovernancestructureandpoliciestoprovideconfidencetocustomersthattheorganisationisfullytransparentandaccountable.Acomprehensivesetoftoolswillalsoneedtobemade availableinorderforcustomerstounderstandtheirindividualimpact,suchascarbonfootprintcalculators.

Justasdataliesattheheartoftheabilitytoimprovethecustomer experienceandtailorbankingproductsandservicestofitcustomer needs,italsounderpinsstrongESGprogrammes.Itnotonlyenablesaccurateperformancemeasurement,itcreatesopportunities toimplementmoresustainableinformationmanagementpractices withinESGprogrammesandthebroaderbusiness.

Unlockingdataandassetstodrivesustainability AssetLifecycleManagement(ALM)–themanagementofITAssets andelectronicmediathroughouttheirentirelifecycle–iscriticalto anydatasecurityframeworkinthedigitalage.Employingservices likesecureITassetdisposition,includingremarketing,recycling, andmediadestruction,canhelpbanksbecomemoresustainable whileensuringdatasecurity.

WithanincreasedfocusonthecirculareconomyandmeetingESG goals,choosingtherightALMpartneriscrucialinordertoensure thatend-of-lifeITassetsaremanagedinasecure,compliant,and environmentally-friendlymanner.

AcirculareconomyreliesonthenotionthatretiredITequipment shouldbetreatedasvaluableassets.Byremarketingorredeploying decommissionedequipment,businessescanlowerthetotalcostof ownershipandextendtheusefullifeoftheirITassets.While

productsmaycometotheendoftheirlifecycle,theirusedoesnot haveto.ForthoseITassetsthatcan’tbegivenaproductivesecond life,theycanbedivertedfromthewastestreamthroughrecycling.

Thereareseveralbenefits,bothenvironmentalandcommercial,for bankstoembedcircularprinciplesintotheirITAssetManagement practices.Ensuringsecureandcompliantdisposalofalldata,beit physicalordigital,meansthatbankscankeeptotheirsocialand environmentalcommitmentsandimprovesustainabilityinthe long-term.This,togetherwithanongoinginvestmentinemerging technologiesanddigitalsolutionstocontinuouslyimprovethecustomerexperience,isthekeytobuildingdigital,sustainablebanking forthefuture.

TakalaneKhashane ManagingDirector IronMountainSouthAfricaBanking

Cleanenergydrivingdatacentres towardsasustainablefuture

Cleanenergydrivingdatacentres towardsasustainablefutureis moreimportanttodaythanithas everbeen.Specifically,itisarace againsttimetoachievenetzero carbonemissions,becausewhilst wearemakingmaterialprogress towardsthisgoal,climatescientistsareclear–westillhavea longwaytogo.

SouthAfrica’senergysectorhas thehighestcarbonintensityof theGroupof20(G20)nations, owingtoitsheavyrelianceon coal.Eventhoughthecountry faceschallengesregardingthegenerationandsupplyofrenewable energy,currentlylessthan6%ofelectricityisgeneratedthroughrenewables,progressisbeingmade.

Theliftingofthelicence-exemptionthresholdfrom1megawatt (MW)to100MWin2021,exemptingbusinessesthatwanttobuild generationfacilitiesfromapplyingtotheNationalEnergyRegulator ofSouthAfrica(Nersa)foralicence,hasresultedinseveral companiesinvestingorintendingtoinvestindistributedgeneration facilities.Lastyearitwasannouncedthatthe100MWcapwouldbe liftedaspartofseveralreformstoboostenergysecurity.

Additionally,Eskomrecentlysignedleaseagreementswithfour independentpowerproducersthatwillleaseanduselandatits powerstationsinMpumalangatoconstructcleanenergy generationcapacity,contributinganestimated2000MWtothe nationalelectricitygrid.

Agreenapproach

Aswecontinuetofuelthetidesofchange,companiesneedtofocus onsolutionsthatnotonlyhelpthemachievetheircarbonreduction

goals,butassisttheircustomersinachievingtheirownclimategoals too.Thesepositiveimpactsolutionsbecomeaforcemultiplieraswe collectivelyfightwithrigourforanetzerofuture.

Datacentreoperatorswhobuylargeamountsofelectricitycanmake hugestridesincarbonreductionbyembracingrenewableenergy acrosstheiroperations.Astheyinvestinrenewableenergy procurementfortheirfacilities,theycanpassonitsbenefitstotheir customersandthusthedevelopmentofacleanenergyecosystem begins.Encouragingly,customersofcorporatecolocationdatacentres areincreasinglyseekingmoresustainableenergysupplies,which thankstorecentprogresstheywillbeabletoaccessmoreandmore.

Forexample,Teraco,aproviderofcolocationdatacentresand interconnectionplatformsinAfrica,hascommittedtopoweringits datacentrecolocationfacilitieswith50%renewableenergyby2027 and100%by2035andwillmaximiseitsrooftopsolarfootprintto6 MWthisyear.

Operatorsinourindustry,IronMountainamongstthem,haveproven thatrenewablesareareliableandcost-effectiveenergysourceby activatinginnovativeprocurementsolutions,anditismakingclean energymoreaccessibletoall.

We’reallinthisracetogether.AtIronMountainwetake opportunitiestoshareourlessonslearnedwithinorganisationslike theCleanEnergyBuyersAssociation(CEBA)whichiscommittedto supportingglobalenergydecarbonisation.Simplyput,datacentres mustrecognisethatwehaveasignificantopportunitytobothserve ourcustomersandworktoreversethedamagetoourplanet. Environmentalawarenessshouldbewovenintoeverythingwedoas weseektoaddressthechallengestosustainabilityinourindustry andwhatwecandotoovercomethem.Oursharedgoalshouldbe todemonstratetoourcustomersthatwecanhelpthemtoachieve theirownsustainabilitygoalsaswell.

WhilejustasmallpartoftheITsectoroverall,datacentrescontribute

ChrisPennington DirectorofEnergyand SustainabilityatIron MountainSecuring

substantiallytoitspowerusageandcarbonemissions.Theneedfor suchoperationsinthisdayandageisunavoidable,butthereare thingsthatcanbedonetominimisethecarbonfootprint.

Supportingclientsintheirpursuitofzerocarboniscoretothis.Data centrecompaniespurchaseimpactfulrenewableenergyatscaleand canprovidetheircustomersthepowertheyneedastheyneedit, fromasingleracktoanentiredatahall.Developingfurtherrenewablesupplychannelsisalsokey.Wenowknowthatitispossibleto createrenewableenergyprocurementsolutionsatacompetitive cost,andifmoredatacentrecompaniesworktowardsthis,more datacentrecustomersallaroundtheworldwillbeabletoenjoylongtermcleanenergycontractswithstablecosts.

Itisalsoimportantthatthedatacentreitselfisconsideredaspartof theenvironmentalsolutionsothatoperationsaresustainably minded,end-to-end.Greenbuildingcertifications,includingBREEAM forexample,arethefirststeponthisjourney.

Fundamentally,renewableenergyisnotonlyenvironmentallyandsocially responsible,butalsocost-effectiveandreliable.Thosewithconcernsover reliabilitycanrestassuredthatthecolocationdatacentrespaceisdeeply focusedonuptimereliabilitytoclientsononsitegeneration.

Alternativeresourcesforalowcarbonfuture

Therehavebeenquestionsinrecentyearsaboutthepotentialfor newalternativeenergyresourcesbeingleveragedforbackuppower andthereareplentyofopportunitiestobeexplored.Batteries,for example,arealikelycontenderinthenearerterm,astheabilityto addinadditionalincrementalstoragecanberealisedasbatterycosts decrease.Therefore,designinganewfacilitytoincorporatemegawatt storagespacemaybecomeincreasinglyefficient.

Othersolutions,suchashydrogen,areamoredifficultpropositiontoday, butshouldbeconsideredonalong-termbasis.SouthAfricaiswell-positionedtoproducegreenhydrogenasthecountryhassomeofthebest windandsolarresourcesintheworldaswellasvastavailableandunused

landthatcouldbeleveragedforgreenhydrogenproductioninfrastructure. Hydrogencertainlyhasaroleinthelowcarbonfuture,butcurrently, therearebigbarrierstoovercomebeforewecaneffectivelyharness itasanenergyresource.Thecostofhydrogenishigh,andthe distributionwillbechallenging,sogovernmentalbuy-inisnecessary beforethisoptioncanbegintobefullyexplored.

Lookingahead

Frombothanenvironmentalandfinancialstandpoint,thereare manyopportunitiestokeepimprovingonceyouhaveimplementeda cleanenergysystem.

Trackingemissionswithbothmarket-basedandlocation-based methodologiesisintegral,asitallowsbusinessestorecognisethe macro-impactoftheirrenewableenergyprocurementandtrackhow theirlocalgridsarealsogettinggreener.Themorewecanalldrive renewableenergyontolocalgrids,themoreperformancewillimprove–forallofus,acrosstheboard.

Financially,youneedtogainmoreawarenessofwhencarbon-free powerneedstobeplacedonthegridtobecomefullydecarbonised. Renewablepoweristhelowestcostpoweroutthere,whereas unmatched(carbon-based)hoursarethemostexpensive.Thus,the moreyouinvestinrenewablesintoyourlocalgrids,betteralignyour consumptionwithwhencleanenergyisavailable,anddevelop storagetobringthesetwopiecestogether,theloweryourcostof powerwillbeandthemoreresilientyourgridswillbecome.

Ultimately,althoughdrivenbythedesiretosimplyprotectour planet,embracingcleanenergyisverymuchgearedforthegreater goodofourindustryintothefuture.Committingtosustainabilityis nolongera‘nice’thingtodo,butanessentialoneforlongevityin anenvironmentally-consciousworld.Together,wemustfocuson achievingcarbon-freeenergyprovisionforeveryhourofeveryday, aspertheUNCompactonEnergy2021,andstriveforagreener gridoverall–thebenefitswillnotonlybeahealthierplanet,buta healthierbottomline.

SOUTHAFRICANEEDSTOACTNOWANDTRANSITION TOALOW-CARBON,CLIMATE-RESILIENT

Witheachpassingday,globalalarmsringlouderabout climateSouthAfricaneedstoactnowandtransitiontoa low-carbon,climate-resilient,andcompetitiveeconomyto unlocknewgreenopportunitiesandavoidthemassivecost ofinactionaroundclimatechange,accordingtoanew reportbyNBI-BUSA-BCG.

TwomorereportsfromtheNBI-BUSA-BCGJustTransitionandClimate PathwaysstudyfocusingonFinancingSouthAfrica’sJustTransition anddevelopinganintegrated,cross-sectoral,viewofSouthAfrica's Net-ZeroTransition,werelaunchedtoday.Thesereportsformpartof theseriesofClimatePathwaysandJustTransitionpublicationsbythe NationalBusinessInitiative(NBI),inpartnershipwithBusinessUnity SouthAfrica(BUSA)andBostonConsultingGroup(BCG).Thereports frameandquantifywhatitwouldtake,intermsofinvestmentand coordinatedaction,toshiftSouthAfrica’skeyeconomicsectorstonetzeroby2050aspartofaJustTransition.These‘pathways’arealigned toafairsharecarbonbudgetandalsoconsiderwhatitwouldtaketo addressSouthAfrica’striplechallengeofpoverty,inequality,andunemploymentaspartofthetransition.Thefindingsofthereportwere releasedearlierthisyearattheSouthAfricanpavilionatCOP27,in Sharm-el-Sheikhasaculminationoftwoyearsofwork.

TheClimatePathwaysandJustTransitionstudyisanchoredona robustanalyticalfactbase,theassumptionsandoutcomesofwhich havebeendebatedandsocialisedwithabroadsetof450+stakeholdersfrombusiness,government,civilsocietyandlabourin200+ hoursofworkshopstodrivealignmentandestablishthecredibilityof theproposednetzeropathways.Theworkwasalsosupportedbya groupof‘CEOChampions’representing30+ofSouthAfrica’slargest companiesacrossarangeofsectors.

KeyFindingsonSouthAfrica'sNet-ZeroTransition

Thecostandcommitmentoftransitioningtoanet-zeroeconomyis immense.SouthAfrica’stransitionwillrequiremorethanR6trillionin investmentsby2050,withoutaccountingfortherecentsupplychain andhighinflationmid-termcostimpacts.Earlierthisyear,South Africa’sJustEnergyTransitionInvestmentPlan(JET-IP),which referencestheClimatePathwaysandJustTransitionstudyasaninput, wasratifiedbytheInternationalPartnerGroupinresponsetothe internationallyground-breakingJustEnergyTransitiondealof$8.5 billionstruckatCOP26.Thisscaleoffundingisasignificantstep forwardtotransitionSouthAfrica’seconomyandsocietyinlinewith theParisAgreementbutanother~$90Bnisrequiredtoachievethe lowerendofSouthAfrica’sNDC.

Theintegratedreportbeinglaunchedtodayconsolidatesindividual

sectoranalysisintoaholisticJustTransitionpathwayfortheSouth Africaneconomyandhighlightsthefollowingkeyfindings:

1 SouthAfricacanpursueanambitiouspathwaytomeetsits2030 NDCandnet-zeroby2050.Afewofthecriticalactionsinclude: Athedeploymentofrenewableenergy10xfasterthanthecur rentrate,at~6-7GWp.a.,todecarbonisethepowersector,with thisdoublingtocapturethegreenH2opportunity, bthephaseoutcoalpowerbythemid-2040s, ctherapidelectrificationoftransportwith700,000electricvehicles ontheroadby2030, dthebanningofconventionalvehiclesalesby2035,and ea15%and20%increaseinpassengerandcommercial railuserespectively.

However,theseactionsdonotseeSouthAfricareachthelower boundsofitsinternationallycommittedemissionreductiontargets.If SouthAfricawantstomeettheselowerbounds,evenmoredisruptive actionisneededacrossallsectors(forexamplerunningcoalpower stationsatareducedloadwhichwillbetechnicallychallenginggiven thecurrentload-sheddingcontext)

2Asaresultofdecarbonisation,renewable-basedpowerwillbe cometheprimaryenergycarrierinSouthAfrica’snet-zeroeconomy 3ApproximatelyZAR6trillionisrequiredininfrastructureinvest mentstotransitiontonet-zeroby2050.Toachievethis,the publicsectormustunlocksufficientprivatesectorinvestment, particularlyinbankableinvestmentssuchasrenewables,to financethetransition

4Thenet-zerotransitionwillseeafundamentalchangeinthe economy-neweconomicopportunitieswillariseandmanynew jobscanbecreated.However,thejobsofthefuturewillrequirea differentworkforcefromtoday.

5Althoughtransitioningtonet-zerocanpreservetheeconomy, securelong-termcompetitivenessandcreatenewgreen industries,itmustbewellmanagedtoensureJustTransitionout comesthataddressSouthAfrica’sdevelopmentneeds

Ultimately,thereportfindsthatreachingnet-zeroisachallenge butequallyanopportunity.Neweconomicopportunitiesmustbe pursuedwithanunparalleledfocus,leveragingSouthAfrica’s competitiveadvantagesaroundtheavailabilityofhigh-qualityrenewablesandampleland,accesstokeycriticalcommodities(like platinum),existingknowledgeandskills,tradepartnershipsanda growing,youngpopulation.Byactingfasttodecarboniseitseconomyandcapturenewopportunities,SouthAfricacanresetits socio-economictrajectory.

FinancingSouthAfrica’sJustTransition

SouthAfrica’stransitiontonet-zeroby2050couldcost~ZAR6trillion.Thepowersector offersthegreatestopportunityforaffordabledecarbonisation.Infact,mostofthese investmentsofferacostbenefitversusthestatusquoandisthereforeatoppriorityfor immediateinvestment.~R1Trnisrequiredby2030tofundtheNetZerotransition (excludingsocialcostsandpriortotakingintoconsiderationrecentpriceescalationsin theRenewableEnergysector).Ofthis~R1Trn,~70%isrequiredforthePowerSector aloneandarecommerciallyviableinvestments.Theseinvestmentsalsoincludegrid investmentsthatmustbemadetostrengthenandmodernisethenationalgrid infrastructure.Currently,SouthAfrica’sgridinfrastructurehasextremelylimitedcapacity inregionswhererenewableenergypotentialisthehighest,suchastheNorthernCape andEasternCape.ToachievethescaleandpaceoftheRenewableEnergyrollout required,gridinfrastructureisacriticalunlock.

Thisreportalsofocusedonwhatsourcesoffinancecanareavailabletofundthe transition,andhowclimatefinancecanbeunlockedasacriticalenablerofSouthAfrica’s transition,especiallyforhigh-priorityinvestmentareas.Inthe2020s,amajorityofSouth Africa’sshort-termfundingneedsareincommerciallyviabletechnologies,suchasrenewableenergy,thatcanbefundedfrommostlycommercialsources.However,morenascent sectorslikeGreenHydrogenaswellassocialprogrammesrelatedtoreskillingforexample willrequiremoreblendedfinanceandgrantfunding.Thereportnotesthatblended financecurrentlyplaysaminorroleinSouthAfrica’sclimatefinanceportfoliowhereonly ~8%ofclimatefinanceinSouthAfricain2017/18wasblended.WhiletheUS$8.5bn (ZAR135bn)JETPartnershipannouncedatCOP26isastepforwardforfinancingSouth Africa’stransition,only~2-3%havebeenearmarkedasgrants.Increasingtheproportion ofgrantfundingandconcessionalfinanceintheUS$8.5bndealwillhaveahigher catalyticimpactontheamountofcommercialfundingthatcanbecrowdedinestimated atroughly3-9Xdependingonthedegreeofconcessionally.Inotherwords,theUS$8.5bn couldunlockamuchhigheramountoffundingdependentontheproportionofgrantsand concessionalfinancethatmakeupitscomposition.

Inadditiontothesourcesandstructureoffundsrequired,thereportalsocoverskey issuesthathampertheflowoffundssuchaspolicymisalignment,perceptionofhigh investmentrisk,limitedshovel-readyprojectsandinsufficientblendedfinance,among otherissues.

Insummarythestudyconcludesthatthetransitionrepresentsauniqueopportunityfor SouthAfricatopivotitseconomytoaresilientandgrowth-orientedtrajectorywhilst addressingthecurrentsocioeconomicchallengesbeingfaced.Thiswillnotbeeasy thoughandthescaleandcomplexityofthechallengesaheadaresignificant.Thesum ofindividualactions,evenboldones,willnotbeenough.SouthAfricaneedsacollaborativeandcoordinatedapproachthatengagesallspheresofsocietytosuccessfully decarboniseandensureaJustTransitionby2050.

TheClimatePathwaysandJustTransitionstudyisanongoingproject,severaldetailed analyticalandmodel-basedsector-levelreportshavebeenreleased.

Celebratingequalopportunities: ThreeABBSouthAfricawomen sharetheirinspirationalstories

IncelebrationofInternationalWomen’sDay(IWD)on8March,wetalk tothreeinspirationalwomenatABBSouthAfrica.Thetechnology leaderisaproudsignatoryoftheUNWomen’sEmpowerment Principlesandhaspledgedtofurtherstrengthenitscommitmentto genderequality.TheIWD2023campaignthemeis#EmbraceEquity, whichaimstogettheworldtalkingaboutwhyequalopportunitiesare notenough.Peoplestartfromdifferentplaces,sotrueinclusionand belongingrequireequitableaction.

ZolekaIsaacs,DivisionalController,Electrification DistributionSolutions(ELDS)

Managingateamoffinancialspecialiststhatoverseesthefinancial managementofthefivedifferentproductgroupsinherdivision,Zoleka remainsenergisedaboutthevitalroleherteamplaystoensure compliancewithaccountingandinternalcontrolspoliciesand procedures.Sheoverseestheoverallfinancialrunningoftheproduct groupswhileactingasthefinancialbusinesspartnertothebusiness managerstoensureaccurateandgoodresults.

“Iamexcitedaboutwomeninapreviouslymaledominatedindustry breakingbarriersandchallengingthestatusquowhenitcomesto genderroles.IamparticularlypassionateaboutmyjobbecauseIlove workingwithnumbers.Myrolealsogivesmeanoverallbusiness perspectiveintermsofrunninganentirebusinessandthevarious aspectsinvolvedinkeepingabusinessfinanciallyhealthy,profitable andcompliant,”saysZoleka.

Zoleka’smajorcareerhighlighttodatehasbeenherpromotionfrom SeniorProjectsControllertoDivisionalControllerlastyearafter assumingtheroleinanactingcapacityforonlyafewmonths.Since commencinghercareerinfinance,shehasalwaysworkedinthe engineeringspace.Zolekastartedatamotormanufacturingcompany, movedontoworkinfinanceonaconstructionsiteandthenjoinedABB.

Zolekacurrentlyformspartofaninclusivenessanddiversityforum startedbythebusinessmanagerinherdivision.Theforumdiscusses andactionsinitiativestomaketheworkplacemoreinclusive.This

forumisfemaleled,withthechairpersonayoungtalentedfemale withinthedivision.ABBalsohastraining,bothface-to-faceandvirtual, tospecificallytackleandeducateonthismatter.

Inaddition,thecompanystrivestoincludemorefemalesinleadership, engineeringandprojectmanagementpositionsthathavehistorically beenmostlymale.TheheadoftheSouthAfricanorganisationisfemale andfliestheflaghighinthisregard.The#EmbraceEquitycampaign alsospeakstotheworkbeingdoneinthecompanytopromoteand educateaboutgenderequity.

“To#EmbraceEquitymeanstocreateaworkenvironmentthatdoes notjustacceptbutvaluesandpromotesfairness,inclusionand diversity.Thisgoeshandinhandwithaleadershipstylethatismore caringandcollaborative,inlinewithourABBvalues,”saysZoleka. Shewouldliketoseemoreactivemaleinteresttobalancethe proverbialgenderscalesintheunderstandingthatitwilltakea deliberateefforttoalignrolesandmaketheworkforcemoreequal.“I lovethetrendofwomenbreakingglassceilingsintheworkplaceand corporatesettings.Iseethisspilloverintosocietalsettings.Itreally needstobeembracedbyalltokeepupthemomentuminallspheres.” Heradvicetoyoungwomenstartingoutontheircareersistobeaware thatforanyroleyoutakeon,youaretherebecauseyouarequalified todoso.“Aswomen,wesometimesexperiencewhatiscommonly knownasimpostersyndromewherebyyoumaydoubtyourabilitiesor contributionsduetosometimeslouder,oftenmoreconfidentmale voicesinaroom.Weneedtobelieveinourselvesmoreandfindour voicestospeakout,whetheritbeontechnicaljob-relateddiscussions orsocioculturalissuesintheworkplace.Ourvoicesaddvalue!” highlightsZoleka.

MikatekoMtsetweni,TaxManager,ABB

MikatekoisresponsibleforthetaxfunctionintheSub-SaharanAfrica region.Herteamworkstogethertodeliverontheregion’stax objectives,managetaxriskandcompliance,identifytaxefficiencies andcontributetolong-termvaluecreationbybeingatrustedpartner

andtaxadvisortobusinessstakeholders.Shesaystheworldoffinance, andinhercasetax,istrulydynamicandcontinuestoevolve.

Havingspentmuchofherprofessionalcareerasataxprofessional,tothis dayMikatekosaysshestilllearns,ischallenged,andhasmomentsof epiphany.“Iremainencouraged,whichkeepsitexcitingforme.Asa womanintaxandfinance,Icanenterpredominatelymaledominated rooms,shareandunpackinsightsthattheymaynothaveknownor heardofbeforeandalsogetbuy-informyideas.”

Mikatekoisempoweredtodothisbecausebravewomenhavewalked aheadofherintheprofession,drivingtransformationatdifferentlevels, allowinghertoengageindialoguewithmalecounterpartsinthe workplaceandtowalkintothesespacesandbeconfidentthatherviews matter.

WhenMikatekoqualifiedasaCharteredAccountant(CA)sherankedin thetoptennationally,whichshebelieveshasinspiredothers.“Tohave directlyorindirectlycontributedtothejourneyofothersintheprofession hasbeenaprivilege.IgetexcitedeverytimeIhaveaconversationwith anaspiringCA(SA)abouttheircareerprospects.Ihavebeenfortunate toworkwithpeoplewhosupportedmygrowth.”

Thisalwaysopenedupopportunitiesandexposedhertointeresting commercialtransactionsintheorganisationsIhaveworkedfor,evenat theoutsetofhercareer.“Itisrewardingwhenyouseethetangible impactsofyourcontributions,usuallyonthebalancesheet,income statementsortaxpolicychanges,”explainsMikateko.

Shesaystransformationisaboutongoinggrowthandlearningin differentareasoflife.“Forme,thishasmeantlearningtoforgivemyself andcelebrateeachmilestoneonthatjourney.Yourbiggestcriticis yourself,butitisimportanttounderstandandacceptthatyouarenot perfect.Howyoureacttoeachexperienceisanopportunitytobecomea betterversionofyourself.Aswomen,theexpectationsandthemeasure

InternationalWomen’sDay

ofsuccessareoftendifferentfromthatofmenintheeyesofsociety.Itis importantnottoloseyourselfintheprocess,”saysMikateko.

Diversityandinclusionstartwithopenandhonestdialoguebackedby actions.“IdobelievethattheABBleadershiphascreatedan environmentwhereweallcanhaveavoice,andeachdayyouseethat translatepositively.”TheIWD2023themeof#EmbraceEquityrecognises thereisstrengthincollectivegrowth.

Mikateko’sadvicetoyoungwomenis:“Youmaynotfeel100percent readybuttrustme,youare.Justtaketheleap.Goodworkethicalways wins,sochallengeyourself.Anddonotputofflearningfortomorrow,doit nowandcontinuously.InmycareerIhaveseenlessorequallycompetent malecounterpartstakeupopportunitiesIwouldtellmyselfIwasnotready for.Asthesayinggoes,nottakingariskisactuallytakingarisk.”

VilashikaDeLaGuerre,CorporateCounsel,Director, PublicOfficerandCompanySecretary

Vilashika’sportfolioextendstoSub-SaharanAfricancountries,andsheis aDirectorofABBSouthAfrica,ABBZimbabweandABBZambia.Therole isfiduciaryinnaturewherebythecompanystatutory,compliance, governanceproceduresandpoliciesareupheldtoensurecompliance withlocallegislation.AsaDirectorofABB,sheoverseescompany strategyintheregion.

Whatkeepshermotivatedisaddingvalueandmakeadifferenceto ensurebusinesssustainability.Forher,thepassionandexcitementliein breakingbarriersandforginginclusiveengagements.Careerhighlights havebeenrunningherownlegalconsultingbusinessandbeing appointedasaDirectorofABBSouthAfricaafterhavingbeeninthe companyforonly18months.

“ABBispositionedasaleadingorganisationtodrivediversityand inclusion,”saysVilashika.“Tome,#EmbraceEquitymeanstocelebrate women,equalopportunities,fairtreatmentandachangingmindset.”

ZolekaIsaacs DivisionalController

MikatekoMtsetweni TaxManager

VilashikadelaGuerre CounselDirector

Whyweneedtorethinkenergysecurity inthetransitiontonet-zero

Thecurrentglobalenergycrisisrequires multi-stakeholdercooperation.

Policy-makersandinvestorscancoordinate transition-compatibleresponses.

Weneedtorethinkenergysecurityinlight oftheenergytransition.

Aswelookbackat2022,energysecurityhasreclaimeditsspotas thetopconcernofenergypolicy-makersandindustryleaders.Since theoilcrisesofthe1970s,broadcomplacencysetinaboutenergy security.Peopledevelopedacollectiveamnesiaabouttherisksto energysecurityinaneraofabundanceandaffordability.

Asconcernhasgrownoverthedirestateoftheclimate,therisks toenergysecurityhavenotgoneaway;infact,newoneshave emerged,and2022offeredareminderthatenergysecurity demandsattentionnotonlytoavoideconomicandgeopolitical turmoilbutalsotoavoidunderminingtheenergytransitionitself.

Putin’sunjustifiedinvasionofUkrainetriggeredthepastyear’s energycrisis.However,attributingalloftoday’scrisestothewar wouldalsobeignoringotherunderlyingriskstoenergysecurity. Evenintheabsenceoftheattack,riskstoenergysecuritywould loomonthehorizonasanunprecedentedupheavaloftheenergy sectorunfoldsinunpredictableways.Thetransitiontocleanenergy isamongthemostgeopoliticallydisruptiveforcesofthe21st century,evenwhiletheprospectofanet-zerofuturewillmitigate sometraditionalenergysecurityrisks.

Theenergytransitioncreatesnewenergy securityrisks

Fordecades,geopoliticalriskstoenergyhavelargelycenteredon theavailabilityofsufficientoilandgasataffordableprices,whether itbetheAraboilembargoof1973orthecontroversialNordstream 2pipeline.These“traditional”threatstoenergysecuritywillbe greatlydiminishedinaworldofcleanenergy.Yetnewriskswill emerge–bothfromnewcleanenergysourcesandfromthemultidecadeprocessoftransitionduringwhichtheoldgeopoliticsofoil andgaswillcoexistalongsidethenewgeopoliticsofcleanenergy.

TherisksofadisorderlyenergytransitionwereapparentevenbeforeRussiainvadedUkraine.Indeed,Europefacedanenergycrisis

lastwinterthatledtosoaringelectricitypricesandutilitybankruptciesasitstruggledtocopenotonlywithinitialcutstothe Russiangassupplybutalsowithmoreintermittentelectricity sourcesandfewerbufferstohandleunexpectedshocks.

Uncoordinatedenergysupplyanddemandmeas‐urescanunderminenet-zero

Akeyrisktoenergysecuritytodayisamismanagedenergy transitionthatfailstosynchronizereductionsinfossilfuelsupply andinvestmentwithreductionsinfossilfuelconsumption.At present,theworldisunderinvestinginallformsofenergy.Yearsof mountingpressurestodivestfromoilandgasandpoorindustry returnshavereducedoilandgasinvestmenttolevelsconsistent withallnationsmeetingtheirannouncedclimatepledges.Yetfew countriesareontracktodoso;theInternationalEnergyAgency recentlyprojectedthatcoalconsumptionwillreacharecordhighin 2022.Meanwhile,cleanenergyinvestmentneedstoincreasebya factorof2.4by2030inordertochangethecurrentoutlookforoil andgasdemandandgetcountriesontrackfortheirstatedtargets.

Ifinvestmentinoilandgasfalls,butdemanddoesnot,thereare twoconsequencesforenergysecurity.First,pricesspikeinatight market,increasingthegeopoliticalleverageofproducerssuchas SaudiArabia,whichcanbuffershocks.Second,becausethe pullbackfromoilandgasinvestmentislargelycomingfrom publicly-ownedWesternbanksandoilfirms,therearemore opportunitiesforstate-ownedcompaniestofillthevoid.Consider thatwhiletheglobalmajors–includingShell,Chevron,Exxon,BP, andTotal–attractthemostattention,theyonlyproduce15%of theworld’soilandgassupply.Indeed,SaudiArabiaandtheUnited ArabEmiratesarespendingtensofbillionsofdollarsonincreasing theoilsupplyinthecomingyearstodojustthat.Andoncethe energytransitionstartstocurboildemand,agrowingshareofthe shrinkingpiewillcomefromOPECmembers.Petrostatesmaythus enjoy“feastbeforefamine,”withseveraldecadesofheightened geopoliticalinfluenceduringtheenergytransitionbeforetheirroles wane.

Cleanenergytransitionrebalances thegeopoliticsofenergy

Eventually,theoldgeopoliticsofoilandgaswillfade,butthenew worldofcleanenergywillalsopresentmanyofitsowngeopolitical risks,severalofwhichwerealreadyevidentin2022.Acleanenergy future,forexample,willrequireavastincreaseinmaterialssuchas

lithiumandcopperthatareneededforbatteries,solarpanels,and othercleanenergycomponents.Ifallgovernmentsfollowthrough ontheircurrentpledges,demandforthesematerialswillmorethan doubleby2030.

Today,thevastmajorityofthesemineralsarerefinedandprocessed inChinaandmanyareminedbyChinesefirmsaroundtheworld. Westerngovernmentshavetakenstepstodiversifythesupply chainsforcriticalminerals,butfacechallengessuchasthelong timelinesforminedevelopment,difficultyinpermittingsuch projects,andthegeographicconcentrationofcertainminerals.

Newenergyinfrastructurecreatesnewrisks

Anenergysystembasedoncleanelectricitywouldreducethe securityriskspresentedbyfossilfuels,butalsopresentrisksofits own.Becausewindandsolarpowerareintermittent,theneedfor flexibilityofothersourcesofelectricitytopickuptheslackbecomes greaterthantoday’ssystemcandeliver.Moreover,adecarbonized systemrequiresfarmoreelectricityforcars,heat,andotherneeds metbyoilandgastoday.Forcountriesthatdependontradeacross bordersforthosesourcesofzero-carbonelectricity,newenergy securityrisksmayarise,aselectricityishardertostoreorbuyfrom othersuppliersthanoilandgas.Amoreelectrified,digitalized,and connectedsmartgridmayalsobemorevulnerabletocyberattacks.

Protectionistclimatepoliciescanundermine internationaltrade

Ascountriesseektosecuresupplychains,createjobs,andboost cleanenergy,industrialpolicyisalsobackinvogue–bringingwith ittherisksofatradeconflict.Protectionistimpulsesriskboth energysecurityandthecleanenergytransition,asachieving ambitiousgoalslikenetzeroby2050willrequirevastlygreater tradeincriticalminerals,low-carbonfuels,andothercleanenergy technologies.ThehostileEuropeanresponsetothelargetax

incentivesinAmerica’sInflationReductionAct–manyofwhich comewith“MadeintheUSA”requirements–isanexampleofthe traderisksonthehorizon.Furthertraderiskswillcomefromusing economictoolssuchastariffstocompelothercountriestotake strongerclimateaction.TherecentagreementbetweentheUSand theEuropeanUniontorestrictimportsofsteelandaluminumthat donotmeetcertainemissionstandardsisjustoneexample.

Internationalcollaborationisreliant onajusttransition

Finally,thecleanenergytransitionrisksexacerbatingalready growingtensionsbetweenwealthyandpoorercountriesthatwere onfulldisplayatthisyear’sUNclimatemeetingsinEgypt.Leaders inemergingeconomiesareincreasinglyresentfulofpressuresto increasetheirclimateambition.Thisfrustrationhasintensifiedas developingcountriesseemanyrichnationsfailtoofferpromised climateassistanceorrefusetofinancehydrocarbonprojectsin poorerpartsoftheworld,evenasEuropeansrushtobuildmore gasinfrastructuretocopewithtoday’senergycrisis.

Securinganet-zerofuture

Tobeclear,thesenewenergysecurityrisksarisingfromclean energyarenotareasontodelaythattransition.Onthecontrary, thepaceofdecarbonizationmustaccelerate.Whateverthesecurity risksofacleanenergytransition,theyaredwarfedbytherisks ofnotmakingthattransition,asmoreseveredroughts,floodsand heatwavesthreatenfoodandwatersecurityandincreaseboth conflictandmigration.Rather,thereasontoidentifythecoming energysecurityrisksarisingfromthetransitionistoallowpolicymakersandbusinessleaderstoprepareforthemanddevelopnew toolstomitigatethem.Failuretodosowillnotonlybeeconomicallyandgeopoliticallyharmful,butwillriskstymyingtheenergy transitionitselfbyunderminingpublicsupportfortheactions neededtogettheworldontrackforanet-zerofuture.

WhyIsSustainabilityImportantinBusiness?

Sustainabilityisanincreasinglyimportantissueformanypeople, especiallyinthebusinessworld.Climatechangecontinuestoaffect ourlivesaswellasthefateofallotherspeciesaroundtheplanet. Forbusinessowners,leaders,andadministrators,sustainable businesspracticesarebecomingimperatives.AccordingtoNASA, it’smorethan95%likelythathumanactivityiscausingtheplanet togetwarmer.Humanindustryisabigpartoftheclimatechange picturebecauseofitsrelianceonland,resources,fossilfuels,and non-stopproductionandconsumption.

Makingbusinessesmoresustainablestartswithbeingawareofthe issueathandandunderstandingjusthowimportantitistomake changes—bothforthebusinessandtheplanet.Theintentofthis resourceistohelpbusinessowners,administrators,andleaders maketheirorganizationsmoreenvironmentallyaware.Here,you’ll findaworkingdefinitionofsustainabilityinbusiness,an explanationofitsimportance,identificationofthekeyplayers,a discussionofbenefitsandchallenges,aswellasinformationon howtoimprovesustainabilityinbusiness.

SustainabilityinBusiness:WhatDoesItMean?

Businesssustainabilityisthepracticeofoperatingabusiness withoutimpactingtheenvironmentnegatively.Agreen businessfunctionsinthebestinterestsofthelocalandglobalenvironment,meaningitsupportsthecommunityandeconomyde-

pendentonahealthyplanet.Anenvironmentallyawarebusiness considersmorethanjustprofits–itconsidersitsimpacton societyandtheenvironment.Suchabusinessissustainable becauseitcontributestothehealthofthestructurewithinwhichit operates,therebyhelpingconstructanenvironmentinwhichthe businesscanthrive.

Asustainablebusinessadherestothetriplebottomline,aterm coinedin1994byJohnElkington,thefounderofaBritish consultancycalledSustainAbility.Thethreecomponentsofthe triplebottomlineareprofits,people,andtheplanet.Asustainable businessearnsprofitsbybeingsociallyresponsibleandprotecting ouruseoftheplanet’sresources.

WhyIsSustainabilityImportantinBusiness?

The“GreatPacificGarbagePatch”isillustrativeofwhyit’s extremelyimportantforbusinessestoprioritizesustainability. AccordingtothescientificjournalEnvironmentalSustainability,an islandofplastictwicethesizeofTexas(approximately1.6million squarekilometers)isfloatinginthePacificOcean.Thisplastic harmsmarinelife,andmicroplasticsinseafoodcanendupin humans.Thisplasticwouldnotexistifitweren’tforcompaniesthat useittocreateandpackageproducts.Simplyput,ifbusinesses don’tactresponsiblyasmembersoftheglobalcommunity,the majorityofmanyspecieswillnotsurvivepastthe21stcentury. EnvironmentalSustainabilitynotesthat“thehuman-causedrateof

extinctionofspeciesofbothplantsandanimalsatpresentis hundredsoftimeshigherthanthenaturalrateinthepast.”

AccordingtoEnvironmentalSustainability,we’reonpaceto produce27billiontonsofsolidwasteby2050duetoabusiness environmentthatprioritizesrapidproductionandturnoverof productsformaximumprofits.UncheckedCO2emissionsare projectedtocontributetoatemperatureincreaseoftwodegrees Celsiusby2050,whichwillcausesealevelstoriseandcatastrophic weathereventstoincrease.

Astudyfoundthatjust100companiesareresponsiblefor71%of globalemissions.Nowisthetimeforbusinessestobecomepartof thesolution,cutdownonemissionsandwaste,andcontributeto cultivatingalivableplanet.Thegoodnewsisthatbusinessescan makeamajorimpactandaccountfor60%ofemissionscutsby 2030,aspertheParisClimateAccord.

SustainableBusinessStatistics

Thefollowingstatisticsillustratewherethebusinessworldiswhen itcomestosustainability:

ConsumerPerception

•AccordingtoConeCommunications’corporatesocial responsibilitystudy,63%ofAmericanswantcorporationsto drivesocialandenvironmentalchangeintheabsenceof governmentaction.

•87%ofAmericanconsumerswillmakeapurchasebecausea companyadvocatedforanissuetheycareabout.

•76%ofAmericansexpectcompaniestotakeactionagainst climatechange.

•73%ofAmericanswouldstoppurchasingfromacompany thatdoesn’tcareaboutclimatechange.

BusinessPerception

•Accordingtothe2018BSR/Globescansurveyofbusiness leadersinchargeofsustainabilityandcorporatesocialre sponsibility,respondentsidentifiedethicsandintegrityasthe No.1reasonforpursuingbusinesssustainability.

•75%ofcorporatesustainabilityprofessionalssaythat businessesneedtogetbetteratincludingsustainabilityinto businessstrategytoaddressglobalmega-trends.

•64%ofNorthAmericanrespondentssaidsustainabilityneeds toinfluencecorebusinessactivitiessuchasstrategyandvalue creation;84%ofEuropeanrespondentsand89%of respondentseverywhereelseagreed.

•Lessthan33%ofrespondentssaidtheirbusinessesare

actuallyengagingwithsustainablestrategicplanning. BusinessImpact

•AccordingtoareportfromTheNewClimateEconomy,95%of plasticpackaging–theequivalentof$120billionannually –iswastedafterthefirstuse,andmicroplasticshavebeen foundin114aquaticspecies.

•Over140millionpeoplewillbedisplacedfromtheirhomesby 2050ifbusinesscontinuesasusual.

•Industriesmustdropcarbonemissionsby40%by2060to stoptheplanetfromwarmingovertwodegreesCelsius.

•Incombinationwithactionfromgovernmentsandotherstake holders,businessesthattakeactiononclimatechangeby adoptinggreenpolicies,technologies,andstrategiesfor growthcouldrealizeatotalof$26trillionineconomicbenefits.

Thecaseforsustainabilityisstrong.Tobecomesustainable,your businessmustengageeveryonewhocancontribute.

WhoCanImproveBusinessSustainability?

Everyindividualcantakestepstoliveandworkmoresustainably, butwhenitcomestoimprovingsustainabilityinbusiness,thereare somepeoplewhoareinauniquepositiontoeffectchange.

BusinessOwnersandOrganizationalLeaders

Effectingchangethroughoutanorganizationtakesorganizational leadershiptrainingandskillstomakeeffectivetop-downdecisions. Businessownersandleaderswhopossessorganizationalskills havethesavoirfairetomakestrategicsustainabilitydecisionsthat benefitthebusiness,itsemployees,itscustomers,andtheplanet. Leadersareperhapsthemostimportantlinkinthechain.Owners andexecutiveshavetheintellectualacumentoidentifythemost effectivesustainabilitystrategyandinitiatives,aswellasthepower tochangepolicyandspurinnovation.

BusinessAdministrators,Managers,andSupervisors

Administrators,managers,andsupervisorshaveuniqueinsights intotheday-to-dayoperationsofabusiness.Thefutureofbusiness administrationrequirespreparationtosolvecomplexproblemsvia uniqueperspectives,andthecombinationofskillandexpertiseto thinkofcreativesustainabilitysolutions.Admins,managers,and supervisorscanprovidevaluableinsights;becauseoftheirmore hands-onrole,theyhaveadifferentperspectiveandunderstanding ofhowtoimprovebusinesssustainability.

HumanResourceProfessionals

Inasurveyof148CEOsfromtheworld’slargestandhighest-pro-

filecompanies,everyrespondentsaidhumanresourcespracticesare essentialtobuildingandmaintainingsustainablebusinesses.TheHR departmentatyourorganizationcanplayanimportantroleinthedevelopment,creation,andimplementationofcompany-widesustainabilitypolicies.Theycanhelpingrainthesepoliciesintothecompany cultureandcreatealastingshiftinyourbusiness.

It’simportanttocreateacompanyculturethatreflectsyourvalues andmakesemployeescomfortableenoughtosharetheirideas, includingthoseregardingsustainability.TheHRteamcanactasa culturalambassador,helpingemployeesandnewrecruitsfeel recognizedandvaluedaskeydriversineffortstowardsustainability.

Employees

Sustainabilityinitiativesdon’talwayshavetocomefromthetop down;employeesmayprovidevaluablecontributionstoo.For example,accordingtotheStanfordSocialInnovationReview,employeesataUnileverteafactoryinEnglandsavedthecompany €47,500 andreducedthewasteof9.3tonsofpaperbysuggestingthecompanychangethesizeofpaperteabags.Becausetheseemployees wereworkingwiththeproductdirectly,theyknewexactlywhatcould beimproved.

Encourageemployeestospeakupandsharetheirthoughtsabout howyourbusinesscanbecomemoresustainable.Theresultscould contributetobothsustainabilityandprofitability.Moreover,the StanfordSocialInnovationReviewreportsthatthiscanimprove “employeeretention,productivity,andoverallengagement.”

TheBenefitsofSustainabilityinBusiness

Sustainabilityinbusinessisn’tjustgoodfortheenvironmentor societyatlarge—it’salsogoodforthebusinessitself.Herearejust afewofthemanybenefitsofoperatingamoresustainablebusiness:

ReducesBusinessCosts

“Greening”yourbusinesstakesaninitialinvestment,but,overtime, you’llsavemoneybyprioritizingsustainability.A2011McKinsey surveyonthebusinessofsustainabilityfoundthat33%ofbusinesses wereintegratingsustainablepracticestoimproveoperational efficiencyandcutcosts–resultingina19%increasefromthe previousyear.Overthecourseof10years,clientsofthemanagedserviceproviderElytussavedover$11millionthroughsustainablewaste managementandtransparency.

Youcanreduceyourbusinesscostsbygoinggreen.Forinstance, usingmoreefficientlightingorcreativelyreusingexistingmaterials willsavemoney.Althoughittakesanupfrontinvestment,converting tosolarenergypaysoff:theaveragecommercialpropertyownerwill saveabout$500permonthonelectricity,whichequalssavingsof $587,377overthelifeofthesolarpowersystem.Mostbusinesses payoffthecostofpanelsinfivetosevenyears.

Thefederalgovernmentevenofferstaxcredits,rebates,and

savingsforgoinggreen.Ultimately,themoresustainableyour businessbecomes,thelessyou’llspendonenergyandmaterials.

ImprovesBusiness’Reputation

Reputationmanagementinbusinessisaboutestablishingagood imagebyaligningmessageswithactions.Amongthemostreputable companiesforcorporatesocialresponsibility,LegocomesinatNo.3 becauseofitsdecisiontomakeLegosfromplant-basedsources.After itmadetheannouncement,Legoimmediatelyfollowedthroughwith productsproducedfromleavesandsugarcane.TheDanishtoy companyplanstousesustainablematerialsforallofitscoreproducts andpackagingby2030.Asaresult,thecompany’sreputationhas skyrocketed.

Peopleviewsustainabilityasaplus,andcompanieswithgreenvalues areeagertoshowcasethembecauseofthatfact.Goinggreenshows theworldyoucareaboutmorethanjustmakingmoney.Youcanuse thistoyouradvantagewhenmarketingyourbusinessanddeveloping yourbrandidentity.

ProvidesCompetitiveAdvantage

S&P500companieswithsustainabilitybakedintotheirstrategy performbetterthanthosethatdon’t:theyseean18%higherROI becausethey’remanagingandplanningforclimatechange. AccordingtoJeffreyHollender,professorofsustainabilityatNYU Stern,“Youwillperformbetterfinanciallybydoingthingslikehaving agreatsustainabilityprogram.”ResearchersfromHarvardBusiness Reviewagree:“We’vebeenstudyingthesustainabilityinitiativesof 30largecorporationsforsometime.Ourresearchshowsthatsustainabilityisamotherlodeoforganizationalandtechnological innovationsthatyieldbothbottom-lineandtop-linereturns.”

IncreasesBottomLine

Youcanearnmoremoneyandboostyourbottomlinebymakingyour businessmoresustainable.Reducedbusinesscosts,moreinnovative strategies,animprovedreputation,andmorenewcustomerswho valuesustainabilityallworktoincreasetheamountofmoney sustainablebusinessesearn.

ChallengestoImprovingSustainabilityinBusiness

Thoughsustainabilityhasmanypositiveimpactsonbusiness,itcan alsobechallengingtoactuallyimplementthesechanges.Hereare someofthebiggestbarriersthatbusinesses,particularlysmallones, facewhentryingtobecomemoresustainable:

LackofResources

Somebusinessesdon’tthinktheyhavetheneededresources–namely,timeandmoney–toproperlyandeffectivelyimplement sustainabilitystrategies.However,youdon’thavetobecomeagreen businessallatonce.Solarpanels,aLEEDcertificationforyour building,andsustainablysourcedmaterialsarenottheonlymeasures abusinesscanpursue.Youcanstartsmallandmakeaffordable changes,whichismuchbetterthandoingnothingatall(see“Howto

MakeYourBusinessMoreSustainable”belowforsomeexamples). Later,asyoucontinuetocutcosts,you’llbeabletoaffordmore extensivechanges.

UnengagedPersonnel

Whetherit’swithuppermanagementoryouremployees,itcanbe difficulttoactuallyimplementyoursustainabilityinitiativeswhen otherpeopleinyourorganizationdon’tsupportthem,takethem seriously,orcare.Doyourbesttoaskforeveryone’sinputwhencreatinginitiatives.There’sagoodchancesomeemployeesandmanagerswillhavetheirownideasandissues.

Considercreatingincentives–suchasofficepartiesandawards–andaddinggamificationtotheexperience.Someunengagedstaff needtheirideastoberecognized,considered,andimplementedif they’reviable,whileothersneedexternalmotivationtoparticipate.

InabilitytoAssessSuccess

It’simpossibletoknowifyoureffortsareworthwhileifyoucan’t accuratelymeasuretheoutcome.Insteadofworryingaboutwhatother businessesaredoing,takestridestodowhatmakessenseforyour organization.Whatcanyoudotomeasureyourownsustainabilitysuccess?

Forexample,whenitcomestogoinggreen,Chron’sKimDurant pointsoutthat“alogicalstartingpointistherawmaterialsthatthe businessusesforitsproductsorservices.”Butifyou’reasoftwareas-a-servicecompany,yourrawmaterialsarejustthecomputers, electricity,andofficeequipmentyourequiretomakesoftware.Can youbuycomputersfromeco-friendlymanufacturersandrecyclethe oldones?Canyoubuygreenelectricity?Canyoubuyoffice equipmentmadefromrecycledmaterials?Theabilitytocheckthese boxeswillbeyourmeasureofsuccess.

Forotherbusinesses,it’simportanttocollectdataoncostsandsales andcompareitwithyouroutcomesonceyou’veimplemented sustainabilityinitiatives.Ifyoursaleshaven’timproved,youmayhave undermarketedyourvalueasasustainablebusinesstotheconsumer.

LackofFocusorPlan

Anebulous,unfocusedplantogogreencaneasilyoverwhelmyour businessasyoutrytomakeaprofitatthesametime.Trytonarrow yourfocustooneortwokeyissuesthatyoucaremostaboutorthink youwouldhavethebiggestimpacton,thenbranchoutfromthere. Yourplanshouldincludeanassessmentofhowsustainableinitiativescancutcostsinthelongrunandincreaseprofits,ifpossible.If youcan’tfindaprofitablestrategy,focusonthecost-cuttingaspect. Youcanturnaroundandsinkyoursavingsintoinvestmentsand campaignsthatwillturnaprofit.

HowtoMakeYourBusinessMoreSustainable

Becomingmoresustainableinaneffectivewaymaynotbeeasyat first,butthechallengeiswellworththereward.Successfulentrepreneurs,owners,andleaderslookatproblemsasopportunities.

Nowisyouropportunitytoembracesustainabilityandimplement innovativestrategiesintheprocess.Somecreativebusinessplanning canhelpyoudeterminespecificanduniquestrategiesthatwillwork foryourbusiness.Hereareafewtipstogetyoustarted.

StartRecyclingatWork

Recyclingisbeneficial:itkeepstrashoutofthelandfillandthe incinerator,anditcreates757,000jobsannually.Ifyourworkplace doesn’talreadydoso,startrecycling.Ifyourworkplaceisalready recycling,takeamomenttoreadupontherecyclinglawsinyour areatomakesureyou’redoingitcorrectly.It’seasyforeveryoneto getlazyandputitemsinthetrashbinwhenthey’reatwork.Provide amplerecyclingbinsintheworkplace,makesurethey’relabeledfor thetypesofitemsthatgointhem,andifyourcityhasacomposting program,takeadvantageofit.

EncourageGreenCommuting

Thedailycommuteisadailydrainontheenvironment:eachday, peoplewaste2.9billiongallonsofgasstuckintraffic,andeach personforfeits$710inproductivityperyear.Greencommutingcould haveahugeimpactontheenvironmentbycuttingdownondaily emissions–encourageemployeestodosowhenpossible.Biking, carpooling,andtakingthebusareallformsofgreencommutingthat canhelpyouremployeescontributetosustainabilitybothinandout oftheworkplace.Also,thereareinexpensivescootersandelectric bikesforthoseemployeeswholivetoofarawaytoridearegular bike.

OfferRemoteWorkOptions

Remoteworkistechnicallyanothertypeofgreencommute,asit keepsdriversandcarsoffoftheroads.Somepositionsdonotallow forremotework,butiftheworkcanbedoneoutsideoftheoffice, allowpeopletotakeadvantageofit.Remoteworkershavethesame impactontheenvironmentasplantingaforestoftrees:theyeliminate3.6billiontonsofgreenhousegasescausedbycommuting annually.Workingremotelyalsohelpspeopleavoidhealthrisks associatedwithcommuting.

GoDigital

Despitetheriseofdigitaltechnology,manyorganizationsstilluse morepaperthannecessary.Computers,smartphones,andother devicesareintegratedintotheworkplace;usethemtotheirfullest extentandavoidusingpaperwheneverpossible.

CreateaSustainabilityCommittee

Selectingateamofvolunteerswhoareresponsibleforsustainability initiativesintheworkplacecandowondersforyourefforts.Itcreates accountability—therearepeoplespecificallyresponsibleforthis, andtheycantakecaretofollowupwithothersandbolsteraculture ofsustainabilityintheworkplace.Moreover,acommitteewillkeep theideasflowing.Taskthemwithtalkingtootheremployeesabout challengesandideas,andgivethemthepowertomakedecisions.

PLASTICSPLAYAPERTINENTROLEINENSURING SA’SWATERINFRASTRUCTUREANDSECURITY

Theimportanceofwaterandprotectingourvaluablewaterresources willonceagainbehighlightedthisyearaswecelebrateWorldWater Week,whichwilltakeplacethisyearfrom20-26March2023.World WaterDay,whichwasestablishedin1993toraiseawarenessabout theglobalwatercrisisandthefactthat2.2billionpeoplelackaccess tosafedrinkingwaterandsanitation,wascelebratedon Wednesday,22March2023.

PlasticsSA,theumbrellabodyrepresentingthelocalplastics industryandtheSouthernAfricanPlasticPipeManufacturers Association(SAPPMA),thevoluntaryindustryassociationforthe localplasticpipemanufacturers,areusingthesetwooccasionsto emphasizetheimportantroleplasticsplayinensuringSouthAfricans haveaccesstoreliable,cleanandsafedrinkingwaterandsanitation.

"In2015,theworldmadeaglobalcommitmenttoachievethe SustainableDevelopmentGoals(SDG)6,whichaimtoensurethat everyonecontributestowaterandsanitationmanagementby 2030.Today,eightyearslater,thesadrealityisthatthecrisishas notyetsubsided.ThisisespeciallytrueinSouthAfrica,wherefar toomanypeoplecontinuetobedeniedabasichumanright-the righttosafedrinkingwaterandadequatesanitation,”JanVenter, CEOofSAPPMA,explains.

Accordingtothemostrecentdata,theworldisstillfrighteningly offtrackandnowherenearmeetingitsgoalsonaglobalscaleand governmentswouldneedtoworkfourtimesfastertomeetSDG6. Asaresult,alleffortsforthisyear'sWorldWaterWeekareaimed specificallyatacceleratingthechangerequiredtosolvetheworld's waterandsanitationcrisis."Thisisnotsomethingthatcanbeaccomplishedbyasinglepersonororganization,butratherrequires acollaborativeeffortfromeveryone,"Ventersays.

TheriskofwatersheddinginSouthAfrica

Overthepastdecade,SAPPMAhasrepeatedlyraisedthealarm aboutthefactthatSouthAfrica'swaterinfrastructureisagingand thatconcreteorsteelwaterpipesinstalledinthe1960sarenow longoverdueforreplacement.

SaysVenter:"Wehavebeenpleadingwiththegovernmentto investinmuch-neededpipelineupgradesandrepairsacrossthe country.Wehavecontinuallyemphasizedtheimportanceof replacingagingandfailingpipeswithHDPEandPVCpipesbearing

theSAPPMAmarkasaqualityassurancethatthesepipeshavebeen independentlyauditedandconfirmedtohavebeen manufacturedinaccordancewithinternationalstandards.Onlypipes bearingtheSAPPMAlogoareguaranteedtolast50to100years”.

Despitenumerousdisruptionsinwatersupplyandtheincreasing riskofwatershedding,thecountry'sleadersandcitizens maintainedanairofcomplacencyforthelongesttime.Onamore positivenote,SAPPMAsaysitappearsthattheGovernmenthas finallyrecognizedthedirestateofthecountry'swater infrastructure,followingtheannouncementmadeinFebruaryby FinanceMinisterEnochGodongwanaduringhisbudgetspeech thattheNationalBudgetFacilityforInfrastructurehadapproved municipalwaterinfrastructureprojectsworthR3.7billion.The governmenthaspromisedtospendmorethanR121billionon waterinfrastructureinthemediumterm.

"Wecanonlyhopethatthemoneyisfinallybeingusedforits intendedpurposeandthatitismakingitswaytoourplasticpipe manufacturers,"Ventersays.Heemphasizedthatthishasbecome anurgentmatterfollowingacholeraoutbreakinGautenginearly Marchasaresultofinadequatesanitationandinsufficientaccess tosafedrinkingwater.

Theimportantworkoftheplasticsindustryin cleaningSA’swatersources

AntonHanekom,ExecutiveDirectorofPlasticsSA,confirmsthatplastics playamajorroleinprovidingpeoplewithsafeandclean drinkingwater."Apartfrombeingextensivelyusedinpipelinesand undergroundwaterinfrastructure,plasticsarealsousedinplumbing accessories,waterstorageunitsandevenbucketsorwheelbarrows usedinremoteareastotransportcleandrinkingwaterbacktohomes".

Healsoemphasizestheimportantworkdonebytheplastics industryinensuringthatSouthAfrica'swatersourcesareclean, uncontaminated,andfreeoflitter.

"Toputitsimply,pollutedwateriscontaminatedwater.Research hasrevealedthatland-basedwasteaccountsformorethan80% ofthelitterfoundonSouthAfricanbeaches,inouroceans,andin otherbodiesofwater.Forthisreason,wehavebeenmakingconcertedeffortsoverthepastfewdecadestodevisesolutionsthat willmitigatethisproblem".

PlasticsSAhaslaunchedandissupportinganumberofprojectsacross thecountryinwhichtheyworkcloselywithlocalgovernments,nongovernmentalorganizations(NGOs),communityorganizations,and businessestokeepSouthAfrica'srivercatchmentareasandwater sourcescleanofvisiblepollutants.Theseincludeongoingbeachand riverclean-ups,supportingthedevelopmentofcollectionandsorting infrastructureassistingwithlitterboomprojects,andlaunching numerouseducationandawarenesscampaignsforlocalcommunities acrossthecountryinordertoaddresswasteintheenvironmentina proactivemanner.

"Wearegratefulfortheactiveparticipationoflocalcommunity groups,civilsocietyandmunicipalitiesaswellasthesupportofmajor industryrole-playersandthevariousplasticindustryProducer ResponsibilityOrganisations(PROs)tohelpusachievetheamazing resultsaddressingplasticspollutioninourrivercatchments.Manyof theseindustryleadersarealsosignatoriesofOperationCleanSweep (OCS),aglobalvoluntarycommitmentprogrammeaimedatpreventing thelossofplasticresininthemarineenvironment,suchaspellets, flakes,andpowders.Thisisyetanotherexampleoftheplasticsindustry goingaboveandbeyondtohelptheglobalfightagainsttheworld's watercrisis,"Hanekomsays.

Noroomfortakingshort-cuts

ThisWaterWeekandWorldWaterDay,letusremembertheoften unseenworkthattheplasticsindustrydoesaroundtheworldto providesafeandcleandrinkingwaterandreliablesewageremovalto communities,whilealsoworkingtirelesslytoremovevisiblelitterfrom ourenvironment.

Concludetheindustryleaders:“Financialdifficultiesarerampantinall industries,andtheplasticsindustryisnoexception.Plasticproduct manufacturersmaybetemptedtocutcornerswhenitcomestothe safeandresponsibledisposaloftheirplasticwaste,andweare increasinglyseeingnon-SAPPMAmembersproduceinferiorquality pipesinordertosavemoneyorincreaseprofitmargins.Thesinglemost importantfactorinourabilitytoconsistentlydeliverexceptionalresults istrust.Asanindustry,wethereforeremainunwaveringinour commitmenttodotherightthing-evenifnobodyislooking-andwe willnottolerateanyactivitiesthatwouldbringourproductsintodisreputeorjeopardizethehealthandsafetyofourenvironment,factory workers,orend-users".

Formoreinformation,visitwww.plasticsinfo.co.zaor www.sappma.co.za

DepartmentofWater&Sanitation

WaterandSanitationDepartmentprivatepartnershipyieldspositiveresultsinLimpopo

Apublic-privatesectorcollaborationinthewaterandsanitation sectorisbearinggoodfruitsthroughaHigh-PerformingSchools Programmeaimedatequippingselectedprimaryandsecondary schoolsindisadvantagedLimpopocommunitieswithinnovativeand modularinfrastructure.

ThisisasWaterandSanitationDeputyMinister,MrDavidMahlobo andLebaleloWaterUserAssociationChiefExecutiveOfficer(CEO), MrBertusBierman,handedoveradditionalablutionfacilities,which includedtheupgradingofexistingtoiletstoacloseloopflushtoilet systemandvariouscontainerisedfacilitiesincludingacomputer laboratoryandalibrary,housedwithinapavedunder-roofschool gatheringattheKwataPrimarySchoolinGa-PhalaonWednesday, 15March2023.

Thehandoveralsoincludedpotablewaterstoragetanks,the installationofsolarpanelstoassistwithconsistentelectricitysupply andawastewatertreatmentfacility.

TheHigh-PerformingSchoolsProgrammeisaSocio-Economic DevelopmentInitiativeoftheOlifantsManagementModel ProgrammewhichwaslaunchedbyLebaleloWaterUserAssociation andtheDepartmentlatelastyearinBurgersfort,withanaimto fast-trackpotableandbulkrawwaterinfrastructuretosupply targetedcommunitiesandminesintheSekhukhuneandMogalakwenaDistricts.

Theprogrammetargetsprimaryandsecondaryschoolsandcreates aplatformforinnovativetrainingandthinkinginsustainablewater useandconservation,sustainableelectricitysupply,improved ablutionfacilitiesandschoolgatheringareaprojectsaswellas connectivityandteacheraidsamongstothers.

DeputyMinisterMahlobosaidthepartnershipreinforcedthe departmenttobuildandstrengthencollaborativeeffortsasameans toimproveandenhancethedeliveryofservicesinthesector.

“Iampleasedthatgovernmenthascometoapointofworkingquite efficientlywiththeprivatesectorforthegreatergoodof communities.Inworkingtogetherlikeahandinglove,notonlycan weachievemore,butwewillmostdefinitelyupliftcommunitiesand movethesectortogreaterheights,”saidDeputyMinisterMahlobo.

Alsoaddressingteachers,learners,andparentsattheschool, BiermanstatedthatofimportancetotheWaterUserAssociation, wasfosteringrelationswithgovernment,whileimprovingthelives ofpeopleinmarginalizedcommunities.

“Thehandoverisoneofmanytocomeinourareaofoperationin theSekhukhuneandMogalakwenaDistricts.Ouraimistoalso unlocktheregion’sstrategicmineralandindustrialpotentialand providemuch-neededpotablewatertoayardconnectionfor approximately380000people,”hesaid,Biermanaddedthe Associationaimstoensurewatersecurity,createsignificantjob opportunitiesthroughdirect,indirect,andinducedemploymentfor anestimated42000peopleforthedurationoftheOMMand socio-economicdevelopmentaspect,whichistheschool’s programme.

TheMECforBasicEducationintheprovince,MaureenLerule-Ramakhanyawasalsopartofthehandoverandcameoutinsupportof thepublic-privatesectorcollaborationwhichwillassistwith improvingfacilitiesintargetedschools,makingthemmore conduciveforteachingandlearning.TheDepartmentofBasic EducationinLimpopo,throughMECLerule-Ramakhanyahas supportedthepilotprojectoftheHigh-PerformingSchools Programmesinceinspectionandhasapprovedthedesignofthe ablutionfacilities.

MinisterMchunusignsMoUsoncooperationinthefieldofwater resourcesmanagementwithtwoEuropeancountries

MinisterofWaterandSanitation,SenzoMchunuhassetwheelsin motiontowardsestablishingandsustainingcollaborationswith globalpartnerswithcommoninterests,attheUnitedNations(UN) 2023Waterconference,inattemptstofurtherenhancemeasuresto ensurewatersecurityinthecountry.

ThiswasevidentwhenMinisterMchunu,alongwithDirector-General,DrSeanPhillipssignedanewMemorandumofUnderstanding (MoU)swithFinlandandrenewedonewiththeKingdomofthe Netherlands.Thesigningtookplaceontheside-linesoftheUN conferencewhichstartedonWednesday22,andconcludedon Friday,24March2023.

TheMoUbetweenSouthAfricaandFinlandaimstopromotewater securityandisfocusedonintegratedwaterresourcesandriverbasin management,includingmanagementofgroundwater/aquiferand surfacewater,riverbasin,andadaptationto,andmitigationofthe impactsofclimatechangeinwaterresourcesmanagementaswell ashydrologicalextremes,includingflood,drought,waterquality, waterbornediseasesandotherwaterrelatedriskmanagement, amongstothers.

MinisterMchunualongwithDr.JaanaHusu-Kallio,DeputyMinister ofAgricultureandForestryofFinlandsignedtheMoUonbehalfof theGovernmentsofSouthAfricaandFinland.

Finlandhasconsiderableexpertiseinwaterresourcesmanagement andprotectionaswellasinwater-relatedtechnology,planning, construction,andresearch.

“IntegratedWaterResourcesManagement(IWRM)isthedominant paradigmincontemporarywaterresourcesmanagement.Finland hasimplementedsuchanapproachfordecades,aimingatwin-win partnerships.IthasalsobeentheguidingprincipleinFinnishwater legislation.SigningthisMoUisamuch-neededboostthesector requiresbackhome,”MinisterMchunustated.

Meanwhile,theMoUwiththeKingdomoftheNetherlandshasbeen renewedforanadditionalfouryearsanditisaimedatcollaborating oninspiringandcapacitatingyoungtalentsinwater,climateand sustainabilityinSouthAfricaandabroad.

TheMoUwasofficiallysignedbyDrPhillipsandMrJohanOost, WetskillsFoundationManagerwithobligationsthatinclude addressingskillsgapinthewatersupplyvaluechainandintechnical areaswithinthewatersectoraswellastodevelopprofessional waterambassadorsthatcanprotectandmanagefuturewater resources.

Inaddition,thetwoGovernmentsareobligatedtoorganisevarious activitiesforstudentsandyoungprofessionalinthewatersector, creatinginnovationandempoweringyoungpeopleandintegrating youngandestablishedprofessionalsinthewatersector.

SouthAfricaandNetherlandshavealongrelationshiponwaterand thisrelationshipwasformalisedthroughthesigningofanMoU betweentheDutchMinistryofInfrastructureandWater ManagementandtheSouthAfricanDepartmentofWaterand SanitationinJuly2014.

MinisterMchunuhasreiteratedhisstanceonpartnershipsin thewaterandsanitationsectorandhascommittedtoensure accountabilityandtransparencywhenimplementingtheMoUs.

TheMinisteralsometseveralothercountries’leadersontheside linesoftheconferencetodiscusspossibleforgingofbilateral partnershipsonwaterandsanitationforthebenefitoftherespective countries.TheseincludeIndia,Tanzania,Zimbabwe,Denmark,Egypt, PalestineandBelgium.

SenzoMchunusignedagreementswithFinlandand theNetherlandstopromotewatersecurity.

Picture:SiboneloNgcobo/ANA