Aug | Oct 2023 Issue of The Green Agenda

“Climatechange demandscollective action,andsmall individualchanges canindeedhavea significantimpact whenmultiplied acrosssociety.”

EDITOR’SNOTE

ROYSTONLAMOND

WhatWilltheFutureWorkForceLookLike?

AnalarmingnewsitemhitSouthAfrica.83%ofour 7and8yearoldchildrencannotunderstandwhat theyarereading.Thisisshockingnewswiththe gravestconsequence.Itranksusastheworstinthe world.InChinathefigureis3%.InUKandAmerica, similar.Ifchildrencannotlearntoread,itstifles themwhenitcomestothenextstageofprogressionwhentheyreadtolearn.Theimpactis cripplingonthemattainingamatriculationpass, whichbecomestheirpassporttoalmostany worthwhileemployment,andafurthertertiary education(whose90%firstyeardropoutrateis equallyappalling).

Thereasonsforthiscrisisaremany,buttheDepartmentofBasicEducationhasalottoanswerfor.A currentreportfromtheEasternCapeshowsover 130schoolswithoutanappointedprincipalandin basiceducation,oneandahalfthousandteaching postsarenotfilled.AlowlybasicR3000monthly offeringisarootcause.Youwouldhavetobea missionarywithaburningcausetofindthatbarely sustainablewageworthwhile.

Andherewestand,inAfrica,whiletheworldbraces forthetsunamionrushofartificialintelligencethat issweepingasideoldjobslikeflotsamandjetsam. Whatwillourfuturejobslooklike?Wedon'thave tolookfar.Thefutureishere.Ithashitusalready. SouthAfrica'swonderchild,ElonMusk,haspointed thewaywithhightechnologygiantenterprisesand inhiswakehasmadehimselfthewealthiestman ontheplanet.

Thosewithhighereducationjointheranksofthe wealthyandsuperwealthy.Theclassdistinctions,as theyhavebeenthroughouthistory,arecomingfrom thedivisionoftheleadersandthefollowers.Those whosetthepacearetheoneswhomakeourlives

easier,morerichlyenjoyable,morereadilyfulfilled. Artificialintelligencewillservethosewhoaccess andunderstanditspotential.

Alreadyweareexperiencingtheboontoourlives withleapfrogtechnologiesthatgiveusaccessto cellphones,theirincredibleimpactonthewaywe talktoeachother,doourbanking,buyourgoods, takephotosandconductourbusiness.Insteadof takingadrivetothemallorsupermarket,orgoing outforapreparedmeal,thedeliveryservice,atthe tapofafewfingerjabsatthekeypad,bringsgoods toourdoor.Thankyou.

lfthelamentthroughoutourcountryisemployment, andnotonlyyouthemploymentfortheyouthofthe last20yearsisageingandweareseeingagenerationpassingwhomayneverhaveexperienceda meaningfulpaidcareer,theneducationinthemost basictermsofunderstandinghowtoread,howto comprehendandmathematicallyconstructanswers tolife'schallengesisadireneedrightnow.Wehave themostdevelopedbraincellsofalllivingcreatures onearth.Wehaveawealthofhumanknowledgeto buildon.Wehavethepotentialtoflytothemoon, orbecomeadeliveryguyonamotorbike,orsitat home,(notthatthedeliveryguycanbelookeddown uponforhiswellthankedlastmileservice,butasa nation,wehave65millionpeoplewho,better educated,canturnusintoawinningteam).

Twothousandyearsagoawisemanwasquotedas saying:"Hewhowouldbegreatamongstyou,let himbeyourservant."Interpretthatasyoumay,but lventuretosayit'snotthepersonwhosweepsthe dustfromyourcourtyard,buttheonewho harnessestechnologyandturnsittothegreater benefitofenjoyinglife.

THEGREENAGENDATEAM

EDITORIALDIRECTOR RoystonLamond

DIRECTOR ThandiswaMbijane

COMMISSIONEDWRITER DianaCaelers

DESIGNANDLAYOUT RichardSmith

ONLINECOORDINATOR ShejaliKandhai

CONTACTDETAILS ThandiswaMbijane•thandi@thegreenagenda.co.za

WEB www.thegreenagenda.co.za

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PRODUCTS•HAPPENINGS•EVENTS

SKILLEDPOOLOFTALENTNEEDEDTO DELIVERRENEWABLESANDUNLOCK ECONOMICBENEFITS

manufacturingisnecessary,whichwillenablethesectortobecome dynamicandcompetitive.

Thedraftsectormasterplan(SAREM)hasidentifiedninekeyworking areasthatneedsupporttocreateanenablingenvironmentforthe renewableenergyvaluechain,specificallyidentifyingskills.

ThefoundationofacleanenergyworkforceisrootedinSTEM educationsoweneedtolookatgovernmentstakeholderstodrive schoolandtertiaryeducation,acrossallgradelevels.

“ThedevelopmentandenhancementofSTEMeducationandthe additionofmoretrainingfacilitieswillunlockgreaterjobpotential forourcountryintherenewablesectorinthesamewaythatitwill provideaworkforcefitfortheindustry.Tothisend,weneedto preparestudentsforcareersinrenewableenergy,andinordertodo thiseducatorsmustemphasizetheimportanceofSTEMlearning,” addedBrair.

Asthedemandfornewpowergenerationgrows,sodoesthedemand forqualifiedandskilledtalentinthecountry’srenewableenergysector, andlikeitsinternationalcounterparts,itneedsarisingpoolofqualified candidatestodrawfrom.SouthAfrica’sshortfallhasbeenexacerbated bythesector’ssevenyearhiatusandsubsequentfailedprocurement rounds,resultingintheindustrylosinghundredsofskilledpeople, includingalargecohortofengineers,windturbinetechniciansand generalservicepersonnel,whosoughtemploymentontheglobal market.

Theindustryisplayingcatch-upandworkinghardtoattracttalent backinordertorebuildthedwindlingtalentpool,warnsoneofthe country’sOriginalEquipmentManufacturers,NordexEnergySouth Africa,citingthedirecteffectsonthemanufacturingandservices sector.So,whilstthereisakeenfocusonthechallengesresultingfrom theconstrainednationalpowergrid,itisnottheonlystumblingblock tounlockingtheeconomicpoweroftherenewableenergyindustry, warnindustryleaders.

“Wecurrentlyhaveashortfalloftrainedandexperiencedwind techniciansinthecountry,havinglostmuchofourskilledcapacityto advancedinternationalmarkets.Thisisadirectresultoftheinterrupted procurementthathasplaguedthesectorsince2014.Westressthat consistency,policyandmarketcertaintyarethebedrocksofunlocking therenewableenergysector’senormousemploymentandinvestment potential,”saidZelreseBrair,HeadofPeople&CultureatNordex EnergySouthAfrica.

Ifthesectoristoshiftfromitscurrentsurvivalmode,policycertainty andarobustskillsbasegearedtowardsservicesandrenewableenergy

Thewindindustryhasadiverseskillsrequirement,andneedsabroad talentpoolthatfocusesonEngineering(Electrical,Mechanical, Industrial,Civil);NaturalSciencesandMathematics(Physics, Chemistry,Mathematics,StatisticsandEnvironmentalSciences); AdministrationandManagement(Accounting,BusinessAdministration,Finance,Procurement,HumanResourceManagement);Social Sciences/Humanities(Economics,Gender,InternationalRelations, Communication,PopulationStudies,Law),inadditiontootherskills suchasComputerScience,ManagementInformationSystemsand SoftwareEngineering.

FORESTANDPAPERINDUSTRY’S ROUNDTABLEUNEARTHSTHESECTOR’S ROLEINGREENERPRODUCTS

Thetrendtoencourageconsumerstogopaperlessmaynotbe doingthegoodmanythinkitisdoing:thatwastheclear messagefromaroundtablediscussionhostedon5Julybythe PaperManufacturersAssociationofSouthAfrica(PAMSA.

Infact,expertsattheroundtablerevealed,theperceptionthat reducingpaperconsumptionwillsavetheenvironmentisnot onlyunsubstantiatedandmisleading,butcanhavealasting effectonconsumerperceptionsofpaper.

Tacklingvariousissuesfromgrowingtreestotrendsinpaper packaging,thediscussionwaschairedbyaward-winningauthor andTalkRadio702presenterGuguMhlungu,andfeatured representativesofSappiSouthernAfrica,MondiZimele,Mpact, andWoolworths.

Forestandpaperindustry’sroundtableunearthsthesector’srolein greenerproducts

Thefirstsessioncoveredtheenvironmentalandsocio-economic aspectsofforestsandwoodproducts.Panellistswereexplicit abouttheimportanceofourplantedforestsanddebunkedseveral mythsandmisunderstandingsaboutthesector.

DrTracyWessels,GroupHeadofSustainabilityandInvestor RelationsatSappi,added,“Treesneedthreethingstogrow: sunlight,water,andcarbondioxide.Justlikechildren,younger treesneedmoreenergytogrow,andthusabsorbmorecarbon dioxide.”Farmingtrees,therefore–harvestingtheolderonesas theirgrowthslowsandplantingnewtrees–helpstomopupmore carbondioxideintheatmosphere.

Alongwithcarbonabsorption,carbonstorageinwoodproductsis important,asitlocksupthecarbonforthelifetimeoftheproduct. Themoreproductsmadefromwood,themorecarbonisstored. Whentreesaresustainablymanaged,thecarboncycleremainsin balance.“Byharvestingasmallproportionofmaturetreesand replantingwithnewtreeseachyear,weimprovethecarbonsequestrationrate,”explainedWessels.

Theguestsalsoemphasisedthesocio-economicbenefitsofthe forestandharvestedwoodproductssectorandthevitalroleit playsinprovidingemploymentandsupportinglocalcommunities. Throughsustainableforestmanagementpractices,theindustry strikesabalancebetweeneconomicgrowthandenvironmental conservation,fosteringagreeneconomythatbenefitsall stakeholders.

“TreesinSouthAfricaarefarmedtomaketimber,pulpandpaper. Rather,theyareaudited,certifiedandsustainablymanaged,”said JaneMolony,executivedirectoratPAMSA,pointingoutthat farmingtreesdoesnotcausedeforestation.“Deforestation happenswhenyoucuttreesdownanddonotreplantthem,”she explained.“Wedonotuseindigenousornaturalforestsinthis country.Wefarmtreesinjustthesamewayyouwouldfarmgrain ormaize.”

Molonyexplainedthattimberplantationsorplantedforests representjust7%oftheplanet’sforestarea,butprovideabout 50%ofthewoodforglobalindustrialusesuchaspulp,paper,and timberforconstruction.

InSouthAfrica,some30%oftheforestry-ownedlandisalsoset asideforbiodiversity.“Sonotonlyareourforestssustainable sourcesofwoodproducts,buttheyarealsohomestothriving biospheresandnotgreendesertsassomewouldsuggest,”she added.

NellyNdlovu,generalmanagerofMondiZimele,noted:“Sustainabilityisalotmorethanjusttheenvironment.Thereisalsoasocial andpeopleelementtoit,andsustainableforestrymanagement plugsintothisverywell.

“Weworkwithourcommunitiestohelpthemplanttreesinaway thatisbothenvironmentallyandeconomicallysustainableforall partiesinvolved.Thesmallgrowerdevelopmentintheforestry industryhasreallyplayedasignificantroleinhelpingcreate meaningfuljobsthatsupportruralcommunities,andwomenin particular.”

Theprotectionofindigenoustreesandbiodiversityisalso importanttothesector.ConservationistandheadofOutdoorEscapesTimNeary’sworkinco-operativeconservationhasnotonly

beensuccessfulintheSappiRare,ThreatenedandEndangered SpeciesStewardshipProgrammebutalsoinchanginghow communitiesinteractwiththeindigenoustreesaroundthem.

Forestandpaperindustry’sroundtableunearthsthesector’srole ingreenerproducts

“Welearnedthatworkingwithtraditionalhealersandother communitystakeholderswhouseindigenoustreeswasoneofthe bestwaystohelpprotectsuchtrees,”saidNeary.“Byengaging withhealersandcommunity-basedsocialecologists,wehave identifiedandsolvedthegrowingissuesaffectingourindigenous trees.Wehavehelpedtoprotectendangeredtreepopulationsby makingthesaplingsavailabletocommunitiesatnocost,andthus helpordinarySouthAfricansaccesstheirnaturalbenefitswithout negativelyaffectingtheenvironment.”

Alongwithtuckingintopopcorn,chocolate,andcoffeeinpaper packaging,attendeestappedintotheircreativesideswithSouth Africa’sownlocalGuinnessBookofRecordsholderandorigami artistJuanne-PierreDeAbreu.DeAbreu,whocurrentlyholdsthe recordforthelargestdisplayoforigamibutterfliesat29,416, showedguestshowtofoldsquarepiecesofpaperintobutterflies. Whatwasclearbytheendoftheeventwasthatratherthanbeing treatedastheenemy,paperandwoodproductsshouldbeviewed asacriticalpartofeverydaylife,itslittleluxuries,andthegreener futureweallstrivetocreate.

LOCALPLASTICSINDUSTRYLEADERS ATTENDTHEINTER-GOVERNMENTAL NEGOTIATINGCOMMITTEEONPLASTIC POLLUTION

Paperregainingprominenceintheprimary packagingspace

Theseconddiscussionfocusedonpackagingtrends,andinnovationanddevelopmentsinpackagingsubstitutionandrecycling.

DonMacFarlane,PackagingSenioratWoolworths,explained, “Oneofthebiggesttrendsisthere-emergenceofpaperasa primarypackagingmedium,andnotjustsecondaryortertiary packagingintheformofcardboardboxes,”alludingtoWoolworths’newlocallyrecyclablepaperpackagingforitsorganic pastarange.

DrValeskaCloete,GroupInnovation,ResearchandDevelopment ManageratMpact,added,“Thereisnosinglepackagingsolution foreverything,butbyapplyingafit-for-purposeapproach,companiescanensurethatmaterialsareresponsiblysourcedanddesignedforconsumptionanddisposal.

“MajorSouthAfricanbrandsarealigningthemselveswith internationalfoodsafetyregulationsandotherlocalregulations suchastheextendedproducerresponsibilityregulationstoensure complianceofpackagingfromdesigntodisposal,”sheadded.

“What’sexcitingisthatweareconstantlyresearchingandfinding newwaystomaximisethepotentialoftreesandthecomponents ofwood,”saidDrNelsonSefara,theSappiTechnologyCentre Manager.“Wearealwaysasking,‘Whatcanwedowiththeprocesswaste?’Thishighlightsthesector’scommitmenttobeing trulycircular,”hesaid.

PlasticsSA,theumbrellabodyrepresentingtheSouthAfrican plasticsindustry,hasreleaseditsofficialresponsefollowingthe secondsessionoftheIntergovernmentalNegotiatingCommittee (INC)todevelopaninternationallegallybindinginstrumenton plasticpollution,includinginthemarineenvironment.Thesession, whichtookplaceinParisfrom29Mayto2June,aimedtoaddress thepressingissueofplasticpollutionanditsimpactonour environment.

Adedicateddelegationcomprisingfivemembersrepresentingthe interestsofthelocalplasticsindustryattendedthenegotiations, namelyAntonHanekom,ExecutiveDirectorofPlasticsSA;Douw Steyn,PlasticsSA’sSustainabilityDirector;MarkBerry,Commercial ExecutiveatSAFRIPOL;FaridaKhan,HeadofRegulatoryServices (PublicPolicyAdvocacy):Environment&EconomyatSasol;and DeirdrePenfold,ExecutiveDirectoratChemicalandAllied Industries'Association(CAIA).Theirparticipationintheintergovernmentalnegotiations,albeitasobservers,allowedthemto contributevaluableinsightsandperspectivesinbothverbaland writtenformats.

“ThemainobjectivefortheSouthAfricanplasticsindustryisto eliminateplasticswasteleakageintotheenvironmentthrough valuechaincollaborationonprojectsthatdevelopcircularity. Appropriatefiscalinvestmentinthedevelopmentandimplementationofwastemanagementservicesandinfrastructurewhich formsthebackboneofthecirculareconomy,isurgentlyneeded. Forthemostpart,theSouthAfricanchemicalsandplastics industriesalignwiththeinterventionsoftheInternationalCouncil ofChemicalAssociations(ICCA)andtheInternationalChamberof Commerce(ICC).ThepurposeofourvisittoPariswasthereforeto

enhancetheglobalroleplayersanddecisionmakers’understandingofthecomplexchallengesathandandhowitcouldpotentially impactthehealthandwell-beingofourcountry,ourindustryand thesocio-economicpositionofthousandsofSouthAfricansthat arecurrentlyemployedbytheplasticsandchemicalindustries,” saysAntonHanekom.“

Discussionsatthisyear'ssessionexpandedtheirscopebeyond marinepollutiontoincludetheuseofadditivesinplastics, addressingtheentirevaluechainandlifecycleofplasticproducts, includingadditivesandchemicals.Asexpected,governments reachedadecisiontotasktheINCChairwithdevelopinga zero-drafttextoftheagreementaheadofthethirdsession,INC-3, scheduledtotakeplaceinNairobi,KenyainNovemberthisyear.

TheUnitedNationsEnvironmentProgramme(UNEP)willsupport theChairinthisprocess,andthezerodrafttextisexpectedtobe available6-8weeksbeforeINC-3forcommentaryandfeedback.

“Whilethelikelihoodofaglobalcaponplasticproductionhas decreased,therearegrowingcallsforbansoncertainplastic productsandadditives,ingredienttransparency,andtaxesto supportwastereduction.Itisouropinionthatthezerodrafttext willposecertainchallengesforplasticmanufacturers.Whilethere maybeelementsthatweasanindustrymaysupport,we anticipatethatthedocumentwillhaveatop-downapproach, consideringtheChairandUNEP'sinclinationtoshapethedebate inthatdirection.Incontrast,theglobalplasticscommunity advocatesforabottom-upapproach,emphasizingtheimportance ofconsideringtheuniquechallengesandneedsofeachcountry beforeenforcingalegallybindinginstrument,”Hanekomexplains. ThefollowingspecificresponsestotheUNEPoptionsdocument indicatewhattheglobalplasticsindustryisadvocatingforthe objectivestobeachievedandaworkablesolutiontobe implemented:

• Thedevelopmentofaglobalplasticspollutiontreatyto eliminateadditionalplasticsleakageby2040.However,due considerationofthelocalsocio-economicconditionsofthe variouscountriesshouldbetakenintoaccount,withspecific referencetodevelopingcountries.Theimplementationofa plasticscirculareconomyiscriticaltoensurethattheplastics materialiskeptinthevaluechainandnotlandfilledordumpedin theenvironment.Thiswillreduceplasticsleakageandsubsequent plasticspollution.

• Guidelinesandbestpracticetoolsmustbeprovidedtocountries forthedevelopmentofNationalActionPlans(NAPs),andforthe developmentofthecontentofthePlans,beingatasufficientprincipledleveltoaligntotheobjectivesoftheTreaty,butretaining flexibilityforprogrammestobedevelopedandimplementedas prioritiesaredeterminedforthecountry.

• Thestimulationanddevelopmentofthecircularityofplastics mustberelevanttolocalconditions.

• AlldecisionsattheTreaty-levelshouldbebasedon(andsuppor-

tedby)scientificevidence.Itisimperativethatallalternativesto plasticstobemeasuredandcomparedagainstthesameagreedcriteria,whileprovidingflexibilitytorespondtonewevidence.

• Lessplasticswillleakintotheenvironmentifproperandeffective wastemanagementservicesandinfrastructurearesupportedand implemented,specificallyindevelopingcountries.

• Wherepossible,recycledcontentshouldbeintegratedinto productsandstandardsmustbedevelopedforrecyclingacrossthe valuechainandintomostmarketsectors.

• Funding,innovation,development,andtheupscalingofadvanced recyclingtechnologies,includingchemicalrecycling,issupported whereappropriate.

• Fundingandthedevelopmentoflocal,targetededucationand awarenessprogrammespromotingcirculareconomyandreducing plasticsleakageissupported.

• FundingmechanismstodevelopandimplementwastemanagementservicesandinfrastructureaswellasrelatedSMMEs,specificallyindevelopingcountries,mustbeeconomicallysustainable.

• Thiswillallowforthejusttransitionandintegrationoftheinformalcollectorsintothewasteeconomy.

Commonstandardsanddefinitionsneedtobealignedacrossthe relevantMultilateralEnvironmentalAgreements(MEAs).The duplicationofstandards,targetsorprocesses(includingformonitoring andreporting)thatarealreadypartofexistingMEAsisnotsupported. RatheridentifythegapsanddeveloporenhancetheexistingMEAsto supportthescopeoftheglobalplasticspollutiontreaty.

“Onaglobalscaletheplasticsindustryremainsconcernedabout theplasticsthatenduppollutingourenvironment.Weremain resoluteinourcommitmenttofindworkablesolutionsandto dedicatethenecessaryresourcestodealwiththisglobalproblem. However,wealsorecognisethatwearefindingourselvesinthevery earlyphasesofthisprocessandthatmuchworkstillneedstobe donebeforenewlegislationisfinalised.AsamemberofthePlastics LeadershipGroup(PLG),wewillbeplayinganactiverolein consolidatingthisadditionalinformationandshapingtheindustry's response.Wewillbeadvocatingforanambitiousbutachievable agreement,nationalplanstoallowflexibility,andnolistingof polymers,ingredients,orproducts.PlasticsSAremainscommittedto engagingconstructivelyinthenegotiationprocessandadvocating fortheresponsibleandsustainableuseofplasticsinSouthAfrica andglobally,”Antonconcludes.

THOUGHTLEADERSHIP

FaisalMkhize

SouthAfrica’sperfect stormmayprovidethe stretchweneedtosecure sustainablegrowth

FaisalMkhize,ChiefExecu�vefor Rela�onshipBankingatAbsaGroup

Asthedaysgetshorterandcolder,it’stemp�ngto getsuckedintoadownwardspiralofnega�vity overallthechallengesSouthAfricafaces. Stubbornlyhighinfla�onispu�ngfurtherpressure onthecostofliving,aweakrandispushingupthe costofimportedgoodsandpetrolandthenthere aretheongoingpowersupplyissues.

Theseareundoubtedlyseriousproblems.Might thisbeaperfectstorm,providingopportunityfor SouthAfricatoovercomeadversityandthrive? SouthAfricanshaveproved�meandagainthat whenallhopeseemslost,theyhavetheresilience andperseverancetoovercometheobstaclesand embracetheopportuni�esthatemergeeveninthe darkest�mes.

We’vealreadyseengreenshootsemergingfrom theunprecedentedchallengeswe’vefacedover thelastfewyears.Weonlyneedtolookasfarback

as2020,where,almostovernight,theCOVID pandemicforcedcompaniestotransi�onto remoteworkingcondi�ons,finallytappingintothe produc�vitygainstechnologyhasofferedusforthe last15years.Post-pandemic,corporateshavebeen tappingintothecostefficienciesandproduc�vity gainsamo�vatedremoteorhybridworkforce offers.

Businessesfindingwaystosurvivethecurrent powersupplyissueswilllikelybenefitfromthe samestepchangeinhowtheyoperate.Already manufacturingcompaniesreliantonapredictable powersupplyhavebeenforcedtoinnovateand findwaystodomorewithless(power)byusing newmaterialsandproduc�ontechniques.Many haveintroducednightshi�stotapintothemore reliableenergysupplyavailablewhenloadsheddingschedulesarereducedovernight,and demandonthegrideases.

OnsolvingthepowercrisisinSouthAfrica,wewerebuoyedby theconstruc�vesolu�onsenvisagedbymanyofTheGathering: EarthEdi�onpar�cipants.FormerEskomCEOAndreDeRuyter believessolvingSouthAfrica’senergyandenvironmentalcrisis is“notamoonshotbutwithinourgrasp”.Hebackeduphis convic�onwithausefulroadmapofhowwecangetthere equitably,butemphasisedthatitwillrequireresolve,urgency, andleadershipreadytograsptheopportunitythecrisis presents.

Ac�onstakennowmeanthatwhenSouthAfrica’spowersupply issuesarealleviated,businessesthathavemanagedto overcomethechallengescouldleapfrogtheirinterna�onal peers,havingdevelopedthecapabilitytoproduceona24/7 basisandconquerotherdifficul�esthathavestoodintheirway.

Posi�vely,thepipelineofnewprivatesectorenergygenera�on projectshasmul�pliedoverthepastyeartoreachacombined capacityof10000megawa�s-and3000MWaresettocome onlinenextyear.Addi�onally,Eskomisexpectedtobring severalmajorpower-genera�ngunitsbackonlinebytheendof theyear.

Absaisac�velypar�cipa�nginsolvingSouthAfrica’senergy crisis,becomingAfrica’sleaderinrenewableenergyfinance. We’reontracktomobiliseR100billionofsustainablefinanceby theendof2025andarechannellingthisthroughthe RenewableEnergyIndependentPowerProducerProcurement Programme(REIPPP).Todate,wehavearrangedfinancingfor 33projects(approximately3GWs)underthefirstfourbidding roundsoftheprogramme,whicharenowintheopera�onal phaseandalreadysupplypowertothegrid.

TheREIPPPisthecri�caldriverofSouthAfrica’stransi�ontoa low-carboneconomy.Italignswiththecountry’scommitmentto reducingcarbonemissionsinlinewiththe2015ParisClimate Agreementandthe2019EnergyIntegratedResourcePlangoal todiversifyenergyresourcesandreducerelianceoncoal.

Renewableenergytechnologiessupportedbytheplaninclude wind,solarPV,concentratedsolarpowerandbiomass.

Apartfromthegovernment’sREIPPprogramme,wearealso ac�velyassis�ngclientsinenteringthecap�veenergymarket. Wehavebeeninvolvedinthefirstu�lity-scaledeal,which reachedfinancialcloseduring2022andis200MWinsize.We expectthismarkettogrowsignificantlyoverthenexttwotothree years,andwearecurrentlymandatedtofacilitateover1GW.

Absaalsooffersloanfundingtooursmall-andmedium-sized clientstoinstallalterna�veenergysolu�ons.Inaddi�onto providingfinance,Absaalsoextendsgrantstoqualifying businessesthroughitsR50millionrenewableenergyfund. Thesetotal10%oftheoverallinstalla�onvalue,uptoa maximumofR50000.

AsoneofSouthAfrica’slargestbanks,wearefullyinvestedin doingwhatisrightfromanenvironmentalperspec�veand solvingSouthAfrica’senergychallenges.Crucialtoachievingan equitableandjusttransi�onisthatweengagewiththose affectedbythetransi�onandco-createanewfuturewithall stakeholders.Doingsowillallowustoaddressthecountry’s untenableunemploymentlevelsthroughjobcrea�onandskills development.

AsThomasEdisonsaid:“Mostpeoplemissopportunitybecause itisdressedinoverallsandlookslikework.”Theperfectstorm hasjoltedusintounderstandingthatwehavenootherop�on buttoworkhardtosecureoursustainableexistenceonthe planet.

Thebusinessesalreadythinkingahead,planningfor what’snextandmakingsenseoftheunknownstand readytobenefitfromthegrowthopportuni�esarising fromtheclimateandenergycrises.Tothoses�ll strugglingtosurvive,thegoodnewsisthatrespiteisnot asfaroffasyoumightthink.

CircularEconomyBusinessModelswithaFocus onServitization

CircularEconomy

Theenvironmentandbusinesscircumstancesareclosely associated.However,manybusinessstudiespaylittleattentionto theenvironment.Environmentaldeteriorationisaglobalchallenge regardlessofthecountryanditslevelofdevelopment.Themain challengeofthe21stcenturyisfacilitatingandstrengthening democraticcollaborationswithinandbetweencountrieson sustainabilityatthenationalandgloballevelsforimprovingthe environmentandhumanhealthandwelfare.TheEuropeanCouncil hasbeenencouragingmemberstatessince2001todeveloptheir strategiesforsustainabledevelopmentwiththeobjectivethatthis canleadtotheproductionandimplementationofasustainable developmentstrategyworldwideincollaborationwiththeUN system.

Theword‘circular’meansaclosed-loopinsteadofanopen-loop system.Whenconsideringproductionresourcesasimportant factorsinaneconomy,wecanunderstandthatCEisaclosedloop economicsystembasedonlimitedresources.Rapidenvironmental degradationacrosstheworldhascontributedtointroducing policiesforreducingharmfulimpactsontheenvironmentbecause ofconsumptionandproduction.Manycountrieshavemade seriouseffortstobringinactsandlawstocreateacircular economy’srecyclingconcept.CEcombinesmanypreviousconcepts, whichgiveitabroadscope.Inthispartofthepaper,wedefine CEbasedonstudiesandgiveanoverviewofvarious scholars’perspectives.TheconceptofCEwasfirstusedbyStahel andReday-Mulvery.

Followingthisconcept,discardedresourcessuchaswaterand nutrientscouldbeusedasresources.Thisconceptledtothe thinkingthatlaborcouldsubstituteenergysinceenergypricesand unemploymenthadincreasedinthemid-1970s.Atthattime,architectsanddecisionmakersfeltthatittookmorelaborandfewer resourcestorefurbishbuildingsthantoerectnewones.

Inlinewiththeresourceperspective,diminishingwasteandcoping withresourcescarcityareessentialforsocialandgreen entrepreneurship.Hence,newbusinessmodels(whichare discussedlater)aredevelopedwiththeprimarymotivationoffindingscientificsolutionstoenvironmentalproblems.Accordingto

Vermander,thecirculareconomywantstoreducethehugeresourcedemandandsupplyconstraintsconcerningpopulationand industrialstructures.Theeconomicboomandhighgrowthrateof heavyandenergyintensiveindustriesledtoadoublingof energyconsumptionduringthelastdecade.Theenergyused mainlycamefromnon-renewableandpollutingsources.Heshmati suggeststhatonewaytoreduceelectricityconsumptionisbyusing demandresponseforrealtimepricing.

Usinggravityasanexample,shiftingfromaneconomythatis basedonscarcitytoaneconomythatisbasedonresource abundancemaydependoninnovators.AccordingtotheEllen MacArthurFoundation,acirculareconomygoesbeyond pursuingwastepreventionandwastereductionandencourages organizational,technological,andsocialinnovationsinthevalue chain.Theseareintendedto‘design-out’wastefromtheoutset ratherthanrelyingsolelyonend-of-chainrecycling.TheEllen MacArthurFoundationstressesthematerialflowaspectof resources.

Ananalysisofcirculareconomyliteratureconcerningbothits economicandenvironmentalaspectsprovidesanopportunityto understandthederivedbusinessmodelforacirculareconomy (BMCE).Originally,aneconomicsystemwasseenaspartofalarge systemthatisplanetearth.Botheconomicandenvironmental systemsaredependentoneachother.Hence,studiesshould prioritizeajointeconomy-environmentsystemperspectivethat considersprinciplesofthermodynamicsandnaturalsciences.

Onapracticallevel,ifhumanbeingscanlivewithout environmentaldegradation,theavailablerenewableresourcesthus madeavailablemayprovideananswertoallenvironmentalproblems.Generally,sinceeverycountry’seconomicgoalisvaluecreation,linkagesamongtheactors(supply,demand,customers,and manufacturers)formacriticalperspective.AccordingtoVanden BergandBakker(2015),CEisanindustrialandeconomic systembasedonthereuseofrawmaterialsandtheabsorptive capacityofrenewablenaturalresourcesasittriestominimizethe valueofdestructionintheoverallsystemandmaximizesvalue creationineachsystem’slinks.AccordingtotheEuropean Commission,CEis‘adevelopmentstrategythatallows

ByJungheeHan,AlmasHeshmatiandMasoomehRashidghalam

economicgrowthwhilemaximizingresourceuse,fundamentally changessupplychainsandpatternsofuse,andredesigns industrialsystems.’Insteadofthedepletionofresources,ina circulareconomy,wasteis‘built-out’andtheconsumedmaterialis usedasnutrientsintheassociatedusagecycle.Ironically,resource shortagesallownewbusinessmodelstobedeveloped.

Hence,economicprosperityshouldbemeasurednotonlyby industrialproduction,butalsobytheenvironmentandearth’s resourcestocks,includinghumanbeings.Stahel’spriority concernsweretheextensionofproductlifecyclestominimize energyandmaterialflows.Theenvironment,resources,andthe economyarecloselyrelatedtomanufacturingproductsand services.Inthiscontext,astudyofthecirculareconomycanbe dividedintothreeareas:resourceoriented,economicoriented,and environmentoriented.

Astudyofwhatacirculareconomyisbasedonneedsaresourceorientedperspectivefortheloopedsystembecauseofresource scarcity.HeshmatiassertsthatCEwithits3Rprinciplesofreusing, reducing,andrecyclinghasstronglinkageswithresources.

PearceandTurnerwerethefirsttousetheconceptofa‘ circulareconomy’intheirbookEconomicsofNaturalResources andtheEnvironment.Theseauthorsillustratedhowignoringthe environmentmeantignoringtheeconomybecauseitwasan open-endedlooporalinearsystemwithoutanintegratedsystem forreusingmaterialandrecyclingwaste.Someresearchers recommendusingthematerialbalancemodel.Inotherwords,they oftendefineresourcesupplyandwasteassimilationandutilityas beingfunctionsoftheeconomyofresourceuseaswell.CEisa developmentstrategythatisaimedatmaximizingresourceuse efficiencyandminimizingwasteproduction.CE’sconcept highlightsthebenefitsofrecyclingandreusingresidualwaste materialsincludingwater,energy,otherby-products,and knowledge.

PrestondefinesCEasanapproachthattransformsthe functionofresourcesinaneconomy.Healsoemphasizesthat wastefromfactoriesbecomesapreciousinputforotherprocesses throughrecycling.Furthermore,productscanbereused,repaired, orupgradedratherthanbeingdisposed.

Theprocess’effluentsactasrawmaterialforanotherprocessor industry,andtheindustrialecosystemissupposedtobehaveasa biologicalecosystem’sanalogue.Industrialecologypromotesa systemic,detailed,andinterconnectedviewofallthebiosphererelatedcomponentsoftheindustrialeconomy.Industrialecologyis researchonmaterialandenergyflows.Acirculareconomy encompassestheindustrialecosystem.Wasteandby-products shouldbeaddressedforabetterecologythrough:aneco-industrial networkaswastebecomesaresourceforothers,designingnew servicesandproductsforreducingdispersionoratleast eliminatingitsdangeroussideeffects,followingtheobjectiveof minimizingtotalmatter(andenergy)flows,andnotusingfossil fuels,whichareasourceofmanyenvironmentalproblems.

Basedontheliterature,CEisasystemthatrelatestoresources,the environment,andtheeconomytooptimizethetotalmaterialcycle fromoriginalmaterialstofinalizedmaterials,components, products,obsoleteproducts,andultimatelytodisposal.Basedon theliteraturereview,onecanderiveaconceptualizationofa comprehensivecirculareconomyframework,asexplainedinthis Figurebelow.

Howharvestedwoodproductscan createclimatefriendlysolutions

Despitemisinformationtothecontrary,usingwoodfromsustainablymanagedforeststomake thingslikepaperandpackagingcanhelptheenvironment.ThePaperManufacturersAssociationof SouthAfrica(PAMSA)arguesthatusingharvestedwoodproductscouldbetheweaponinourfight againsttheclimatecrisis.

Ourbiggestalliesinthisfightaretrees–ofallkinds.Theforest sectorinvolvesthefarmingofspecifictreespeciesfortimber, pulpandpaperapplications,thecollectionandrecyclingof paperfibre,andthebeneficiationofprocesswaste,andmuchmore.

AccordingtoForestrySouthAfrica,SouthAfricaonlyhashalfa millionhectaresofclosedcanopyindigenousforests(0.4%of landcover)and1.2millionhectaresofplantedforestswiththe latterneededtoproducewoodandfibreonasustainablebasis andrelievepressureonnaturalforests.

However,knowledgegapsandamisunderstandingoftheroleof forestsandforestproductsstillexist.Whilemanypeoplerecognisethatwoodandpaperaresustainablematerialsandthatwe shouldbedoingmoretousethem,theyalsoarguethatalltypes oftrees–regardlessoftheirtypeandpurpose–shouldbekept intheground.

Thereisalong-heldnotionthatthemakingandusingofpaper–orotherwood-basedproducts–‘kills’trees.Harvestingisoften misconstruedasdeforestation.Butwoodandpaperproducts

JaneMolony,executivedirector,PaperManufacturersAssociationofSouthAfrica

areasrenewableasyoucanget.Bychoosingpaperfor communicationandpackaging,wechooseto‘savetrees’–becausewhatisharvestedisreplanted.Deforestationiswhen treesareremovedbutnotreplanted.

Balancingproductionandprotection Indigenoustrees,whichhaveslowgrowthratesandneedtobe protected,areneverusedforpulp,paperandpackaging.

InSouthAfrica,paperismadefromfarmedtrees,justasgrainis farmedforfood.Yetpeopledon'tmakethisconnectionwhenthey thinkofpaperandwoodproducts.

Wehave850milliontreesgrowingonmorethan676000 hectaresreservedforpulpandpapermaking.Lessthan10%of thistotalareaisharvestedduringanyyear,andthesameareais replantedwithnewtrees–speciallycultivatedsaplings.

Toachieveasustainedyieldandpreventthedepletionof growingstock(treesintheground),theannualharvestshould neverexceedtheannualplanting.SouthAfricahasbeenemployingthisconceptsince1880andhassinceadvancedtosustainableforestmanagement(SFM).

SFMseekstomaintainastableforestrylandscapebymanaging theenvironmentalqualityandtheresourcebaseonwhichitdepends-suchasland,waterandbiodiversity,supplyingproducts andservicesforhumanneeds,beingeconomicallyviableandimprovingthequalityoflifeofcommunities.

Oneexampleisthatsomeharvestingresiduescanbeleftin-situ asmulch.Bark,limbs,andleavesoffersustenanceandrefugefor creaturesthataidinthedecompositionoforganicmatter,which inturnattractsbirdsandotherforagers.

Lookingtoage-oldnaturalprocesses forourplanet’sfuture

Allplantstakeupcarbondioxidefromouratmosphere.Theykeep thecarbonforgrowthandgiveusbacktheoxygen.It’sabeautifulthing!Thetreesweuseforharvestedwoodproductskeep thatcarbonlockedup.

Andit’snotjustwoodandpaperthathavethispotential.

Wood–whenbrokendownintoitscentralcomponentsof cellulose,hemi-celluloseandlignin–canbeusedtoproducea rangeofsubstancesthatgointothemanufactureofcommon householdproductsandinnovativesubstitutesforfossil-fuel basedproducts.

Forexample,viscoseisamaterialmadefromwoodandusedto makesoftandabsorbentproductslikedisinfectingwipes,towels, linen,andclothing.Hydroxyethylcellulose(HEC)isusedinpaint wallstopreventsplatterandisalsousedincosmetics,adhesives, anddetergents.Cellulosetriacetateisusedtomakelaptop screensthatprovideclearimages.

Byusingmoresustainablefarmedwood-basedproducts,and plantingmoretreestoreplacetheharvestedstock,wenotonly keepthecarboncycleinbalance,butwealsoincreasethe sector’spotentialtotakeupmorecarbon,storemorecarbonand findinglowcarbonsolutionsforeverydayneeds.

Allofthisgoestoshow,thatthroughsustainablepracticesand thebuildingofcircularbioeconomy’s,wecanturnthetide againstclimatechange.

Formoreinformationvisit www.thepaperstory.co.za•0118035063

Policy implementation key to Gender equality

Energy is central to addressing nearly every major challenge and opportunity the world faces today – jobs, security, climate change, food production. Energy efficiency and energy saving have the potential to address the crippling impacts of the spike in energy prices, strengthening energy security and tackling climate change.

Energy efficiency is also of particular importance to South Africa, where the current Stage 4 loadshedding is estimated to cost the country R1bn per day. This again highlights the importance of ensuring equal participation by men and women in the sector to enhance the capacity of the country to address energy and climate challenges.

The international award-winning Industrial Energy Efficiency (IEE) Project is one of the initiatives in the country contributing to the increase in the number of women participating in the sector.

With gender mainstreaming cutting across all its activities, the project strongly supports the UN and SA’s focus on gender equality.

Since April 2011, 39% of the 6 000-plus candidates who successfully completed training courses in Energy Management Systems and Energy Systems Optimisation were women. Women also played a significant role in the overall impact and achievements of the project. To date, more than 450 industrial companies have been assisted to save 6.5 TWh of energy – equivalent to five years of load shedding at the 2019 level of 1.352 TWh. This translates to cumulative cost savings of R5.3 billion and GHG mitigation of 6.4 million tons of CO2e in these companies.

An independent study into the impact of the IEE project on gender mainstreaming in the industrial energy efficiency sector in South Africa confirmed that the project has made a substantial contribution to promoting gender equality and advancing women’s participation and role in the sector.

It also recommended that future projects should build on the foundation established by the project, and pursue transformative goals to address the structural gender barriers persisting in the sector.

The study also found that, although the SA government prioritises policies and programmes intended to promote gender equality and the empowerment of women, implementation is still lagging. The recently adopted Energy Sector Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality Strategy developed by the DMRE is an important instrument to drive equality in the sector.

The energy sector is still male-dominated, but the study indicated that it has changed significantly over the past 10 years, mostly driven by policies, initiatives like the IEE project, global shifts to ESG, and requirements for financing. Companies are starting to see the benefits of having women on their teams, and women have more skills, confidence, and have increased their networks and access to opportunities.

According to the study, approaches to promote gender equality in the sector tend to focus on increasing women’s participation. However, this does not necessarily address the root causes of gender inequality and reshape unequal power relations, which are important requirements for transformative change.

There are also still significant differences in the view of men and women on the barriers facing women in the sector, including the lack

of women in leadership positions, lack of women-headed projects, lack of time and resources, lack of access to finance, limited awareness of job opportunities, and sexual harassment in the workplace.

UNIDO is currently exploring initiatives with partners to address key recommendations from the study, inc luding improving sex-disaggregated data collection, management, and research to support policy development and implementation for the empowerment of women in the sector; addressings specific mentorship needs; promoting gender equality in the workplace; and contributing to national capacity building for gender equality and women’s empowerment.

National Cleaner Production Centre South Africa

About the IEE project:

Years of Industrial Efficiency

The South African IEE project was the first of its kind, and has since been replicated by UNIDO in 20 other countries across the globe. It was implemented by UNIDO, the National Cleaner Production Centre South Africa, the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy and the South African National Energy Development Institute, with funding from the Global Environment Facility and co-funding through the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition. The NCPC continues to deliver the energy efficiency services established through the IEE project.

Funded by the dtic, hosted by the CSIR

The Energy sector is in a dynamic transition that is constantly evolving, continuous learning is your key to sustainable growth and unrivaled success. Whether

• Registers and establishes learning programmes

• Approve WSPs and ATRs

• Disburses mandatory and discretionary grants

• Monitors and quality assures education and training

• Promotes learnerships, internships, apprenticeships and other training programmes

To meet the pressing skills development needs of the energy and water sector requires co-operation and input from all sector role players. We encourage employers in the sector to be part of the solution.

22 Wellington Road Parktown, Johannesburg South Africa

011 274-4700

info@ewseta.org.za

WithSouthAfricafacingsignificantsustainabilitychallenges,includingenergysecurity, environmentaldegradation,andsocio-economicdisparities,thenot-insignificanttaskof developingaskilledworkforcetounderpinandadvancethesustainabledevelopmentof thecountry’senergyandwatersectorsrestsfirmlyontheshouldersofitsEnergyand WaterSectorEducationandTrainingAuthority(EWSETA).

Whiletheburdenisindeedonerous,EWSETAchief executiveofficerMphoMookapeleandherteamare adamantthatsuccessispossiblewithmoreinnovative approachesthatskillforemployability,aswellas self-employment.

“ThechallengeshavehighlightedtheurgentneedforSouth Africatotransitiontocleanerandmoresustainableenergy sources,suchasgreenhydrogen,tomitigateclimate changeandachieveamoreresilientandequitablesociety. Shestressesthatthisrequiresurgentskillsdevelopment, includingofourmostat-riskgroups,suchasourrural communities,unemployedyouth,women,smalland mediumenterprises,andtheinformalsector,”shestresses.

1.Canyoucommentonthecapacityofgreen hydrogentocounterchallengessuchasthe rollingblackoutscurrentlybeingexperienced inSouthAfrica?

“Greenhydrogen,whichishydrogenproducedthrough electrolysisusingrenewableenergysourcessuchassolar

orwindpower,isindeedgainingprominenceasapotential solutiontoSouthAfrica’senergychallenges.Considered ‘green’becausetheproductionprocessdoesn’temit carbondioxideorothergreenhousegases,unlike traditionalmethodsthatrelyonfossilfuels,itisaclean energyoptionforapplicationsincludingelectricity generation,butalsotransportationandindustrial processes.ByleveragingSouthAfrica'sabundant renewableenergyresources,suchassunlightand wind,greenhydrogencouldprovideareliableandsustain‐ableenergysource,reducingrelianceonfossilfuelsand contributingtoamorestableenergygrid.”

2.Womenandyoutharetopofyouragenda, whichisevidentfromrecentannouncements includingtheGreenHydrogenBursaryFund andtheElectricalEngineeringRenewable EnergySpecialisationSkillsDevelopment Programme?Canyouexplainwhythese sectorsdemandspecialfocus?

“Thesegroupsholdimmensepotentialfordrivinginnovation,

Womenandyouthhold immensepotentialfordriving innovation,economicgrowth andsocialprogressinthe energyandwatersectors.

economicgrowth,andsocialprogress,butarealsocriticalto addressexistinggenderimbalancesintheenergyandwater sectorsandpromoteinclusivity.EWSETA’sfocuson capacitatingwomeninthesectorsweserveisincreasingly gatheringforce,especiallyatthemanagementandsenior managementlevel.Iamproudtosaythatourpartnerships withtheUniversityoftheWitwatersrandBusinessSchooland industryleadershavealreadyyieldedsomeamazingsuccess stories.Thecohortofwomenwhohavecompletedexecutive developmentleadershipprogrammeshavereportedbothim‐provedself-confidence,aswellasamoreintuitiveandinnovat‐ivesolutions-basedapproachtoleadership.

“Throughourtargetedsupportanddevelopmentopportunit‐ies,suchastheGreenHydrogenBursaryFundandtheElectrical EngineeringRenewableEnergySpecialisationSkills DevelopmentProgramme,womenandyoutharealsobeing empoweredtoparticipateactivelyinthecountry’stransitionto renewableenergy.”

3.Climatechangeisanintimidatingchallenge fortheworld.Aretheresmallwaysforeveryone tocontributetothechangethatissodesperately needed?

“Climatechangedemandscollectiveaction,andsmall individualchangescanindeedhaveasignificantimpactwhen

multipliedacrosssociety.Examplesincludereducingpersonal energyconsumptionbyusingenergy-efficientappliances, adoptingsustainabletransportationoptionslikecyclingor carpooling,practicingwaterconservation,andpromoting recyclingandwastereduction.Whenembracedbyindividuals andcommunities,thesecancollectivelyreducecarbon emissions,conserveresources,andpromotesustainability.

“AtEWSETA,wehaveseenthetransformativepowerof educationandawarenesscampaignsininspiringindividualsto makesustainablechoicesandtakeproactivestepstowardpos‐itivechange.”

4.AreSouthAfricanssignificantlyinformedabout thescopeofthecrisis,andhowisyourwork helpingspreadimportantmessaging?

“TherehasbeensomeprogressinSouthAfrica,butthereisstill alotof worktobedonetoensurethatthemessage reachesabroader audience.EWSETAiscontributingby activelyengagingstakeholders, includinggovernmentbodies, educationalinstitutions,industry associations,andthepublic. Wealsoorganizeawarenesscampaigns,workshops,and trainingprogrammes,advocateforsupportivepolicies, promoteresearchandinnovation,andfosterpartnershipsto helpdrivethetransitiontoasustainableandresilientfuturefor ourcountry.”

The Energy sector is in a dynamic transition that is constantly evolving, continuous learning is your key to sustainable growth and unrivaled success.

Whether you’re already a qualified professional or aspiring to be one, keeping your skills up to date is non-negotiable

Join the ranks of industry trailblazers by embracing the latest advancements, trends, and best practices that drive the energy and water sector forward.

IGNITE YOUR EXPERTISE, ELEVATE YOUR JOB PERFORMANCE, AND LEAD THE PACK!

JustEnergyTransitionPartnerships mustbecountry-ledandowned

“CountriesgoingthroughaJustEnergyTransitionneedtobeclear abouthowtheydefine‘just’,particularlywithrespecttosocialimpact. GivenSouthAfrica’scurrentenergycrises,wehavecometorealise thatflexibilityiskey.

“Countriesmustbeabletodecideonatransitionpathwaythattakes intoconsiderationdevelopmentobjectivessuchasenergysecurity,”

hesaid.

ThePresidentsaidJustEnergyTransitionPartnershipsmusttranslate intotangiblefinancialsupport.

PresidentCyrilRamaphosahastoldahigh-levelroundtabledelegationinParis,France,thattheJustEnergyTransitionPartnershipmust beledandownedbytheirrespectivenations.

ThePresidentwasspeakingonseverallessonslearntasSouth Africaundertakesthetransitionwithauniquesetofchallengesthat includehighlevelsofpovertyandanenergydeficit.

HewasparticipatingintheroundtablediscussiononGreenGrowth PartnershipsattheSummitforaNewGlobalFinancingPactinParis onThursday.

“Firstly,itisimportantthatJustEnergyTransitionPartnershipsare country-ledand-owned.

“Wehavehighlevelsofunemploymentamongunskilledworkers, whichmakespotentialjoblossesinthecoalvaluechainmorechallenging.Wehaveaconstrainedfiscalenvironmentthatlimitstheability ofgovernmenttoprovidesocialsecurityintheeventjoblosses,”

hesaid.

HesaidtheSummitwastakingplaceatanimportantmomentinthe internationalclimatediscussions.

TheSummit,thePresidentsaid,wasavaluableplatformforengagementthatneedstocomplement–butshouldnotsupersede–the discussionsintheappropriatemultilateralforums,particularlytheUN FrameworkConventiononClimateChange.

PresidentRamaphosasaidmoreemphasismustbeplacedonthejust componentofthetransition,inboththestructuringoftheinvestment planandthecorrespondingfinancingpackage.

Thescaleoffinancialsupportneedstoconsiderthelevelofdevelopmentofthecountriesandthemagnitudeoftherequiredtransition. Forexample,hesaid,thecurrentcommitmentof$8.5billionfromSA’s partnersislessthanatenthofwhatwillbeneededinthenextfive yearsforameaningfulandjusttransition.

“Grantsneedtoformasubstantialportionoffinancialsupport,and anydebt-relatedtermsshouldbemoreattractivethanwhatthecountrycouldsecureincapitalmarkets.

“Itisimportantthatthefinancingreflectstheobligationofdeveloped economiestofinancemitigationandadaptationmeasuresindevelopingeconomies.Thefinancingmustbepredictableandcertain,” hesaid.

Throughthetransferoftechnologyandskills,thePresidentsaidthe transitionprocessneedstosupportgreenindustrialisation.

“AJustEnergyTransitionrequireslong-termpartnersthatwillsupport developingeconomiesastheymovetowardssustainableandgreen economicgrowthanddevelopment,”hesaid.

InNovember2021,SouthAfricaannouncedahistoricJustEnergy TransitionPartnershipwiththegovernmentsofFrance,Germany,the UnitedKingdomandtheUnitedStates,aswellastheEuropeanUnion.

ThispartnershipwasestablishedtosupportSouthAfrica’sjusttransition toalowcarboneconomyandaclimateresilientsociety.Thepartners agreedtoaninitialcommitmentof$8.5billiontowardsthisgoal.

SouthAfricahassinceproducedaJustEnergyTransitionInvestmentPlan thatsetsoutthescaleoffinancingneedatapproximately$98billion.

Thisinvestmentplanwouldsupportinvestmentsinelectricityinfrastructure,supportforcommunitiesandworkersincoalminingareas, newenergyvehicles,greenhydrogenandskillsdevelopment.–SAnews.gov.za

WomenLeadingtheWay:EmpoweringClimate ActionforaSustainableFuture

ByIlseSwanepoel,COOatRemoteMeteringSolutions

port,experiencedmentorscaninspireconfidenceandpavetheway forwomentoassumeleadershiproles.Moreover,networkingenableswomentoconnectwithlike-mindedindividuals,amplifying theirvoicesandencouragingcollaboration.

Onepowerfulwaytomotivatewomentostepupisbyshowcasing femalerolemodelsandtheirsuccessstories.Byhighlightingthe achievementsofwomenwhohavemadesignificantstridesinclimateaction,weinspireotherstobelieveintheirpotentialandpush theirboundaries.Representationmattersandhavingstrongfemale leadersasguidinglightsiscrucialinbreakinggendernormsand stereotypes.

PrioritisingInclusivity

Creatingsupportiveandinclusiveenvironmentsisequallyimportant.Addressinggenderbiasesandpromotingequalopportunities withinorganisationsfostersaculturewherewomen'svoicesare heardandvalued.Diversityinleadershipleadstomoreholisticdecision-makingandbetteroutcomes,particularlyintacklingcomplex challengeslikeclimatechange.

AsSouthAfricacelebratesWomen'sMonth,itismoreimportant thanevertorecognisethepivotalrolethatwomenplayinachievingthenation'snetzerotargets.Thefightagainstclimatechange demandsactiveparticipationandleadershipfromwomen,andto makethisareality,wemustbreakdownbarriersandcreateanenvironmentthatfosterstheiradvancement.

Educationliesattheheartofempoweringwomentotakethelead inclimateaction.Bypromotingequalaccesstoeducation,particularlyinfieldslikeScience,Technology,Engineering,andMathematics(STEM),wecanequipwomenwiththeknowledgeandskills neededtodrivechange.Whenwomenarewell-representedin STEM,theybringfreshperspectivesandinnovativesolutionstothe table,propellingusclosertoasustainablefuture.

SharingExperiences

Mentorshipprogramsandnetworkingopportunitiesareessential innurturingaspiringwomenleaders.Providingguidanceandsup-

Collaborationwithwomen-ledorganisationsisastrategicmovein empoweringwomeninclimateaction.Theseorganisationshave theexpertiseandinsightstoaddressgender-specificchallenges andleveragewomen'suniquestrengths.Partneringwiththem strengthensthecollectiveimpactandacceleratesprogresstowards asustainablefuture.

Women,asthebedrockoffamiliesandcommunities,haveanunparalleledtransformativeimpact.Theireffortsinclimateaction rippleacrosssociety,inspiringandeducatingotherstomakesustainablechoices.Whenwomenareactivelyinvolvedindecisionmakingprocesses,policiesbecomemoreinclusiveandresponsive totheneedsofallcitizens.

AswecelebrateWomen'sMonth,letusrenewourcommitmentto empoweringwomentotakechargeinthefightagainstclimate change.Byprovidingequaleducationalopportunities,mentorship, andsupport,andbycelebratingtheachievementsofwomenleaders,wecanbuildamoresustainablefuturetogether.Whenwomen'svoicesareelevatedandvalued,weunlocktheirfullpotential,andthat,inturn,leadsusclosertoachievingSouthAfrica'snet zerotargets.

EndoftheRoadforPaper

SAQCCGasisproudtoannouncethecompletedigitalshifttothe issuingofcertificationbygaspractitionersinSouthAfrica.Themove comesinthewakeofanincreaseincertification-relatedincidentsof fraud.ThisisaproactiveinitiativeputinplacebytheSAQCCGas,to ensureaccountabilityandsafetywithinthegasindustry,onlya registeredgaspractitionercanissueaCoC.

ThedigitalCoCwaslaunchedin2021andisinlinewithSouth Africanstandards,ensuringthegasindustryremainsoneofthesafest intheworld.

SAQCCGaswouldliketoencouragetheend-usertonotaccept paperCoCsafterthe1stofApril2023andconfirmthevalidityofa gaspractitioner'sregistrationbyvisitingwww.saqccgas.co.za.

Practitioner’sregistrationcardscanalsobeviewedonsiteviathe SAQCCGasApp.

Wecallonthegasindustryandconsumerstoreportanyillegal installationsbyemailinginfo@saqccgas.co.za.

AtSAQCCGasweencourageallgaspractitionerstodownloadthe SAQCCGasAppandregister.TheprocessofissuingadigitalCoCis quick,simple,andconvenientwhetheryouareonoroffline.The applicationhasspecificallybeendesignedtosuittherequirementsof ourindustryandtechnicalsupportisonhandtoassistwithany enquiries.

Wewouldliketothankthegaspractitionerswhohavemadethe transitiontoissuingdigitalCoCseffortlesslyandlookforwardto assistingotherstodothesame.

Appwillgiveaccesstotheuserswhoserole arepractitioner&inspector.

Compliance in a transitional energy mix

Together with industry stakeholders, SAQCC Gas is driving awareness around compliance within the energy industry.

Gas plays a significant role in South Africa's energy mix. Gas produces fewer carbon emissions compared to other traditional energy sources, helping South Africa transition to a green future.

While transitioning through our energy landscape, it isimportant that any consumer utilising a gas system in a domestic, commercial, industrial or specialised capacity must make use of a registered gas practitioner.

Why? Through registration - once a gas practitioner has completed the relevant training to work on specific gas systemsSAQCC Gas will certify the practitioner enabling the issuing of a digital Certificate of Conformity (CoC) on completion of work.

We encourage all home and business owners to verify practitioner’s qualifications and the validity of their license by visiting our website www.saqccgas.co.za.

SouthAfricaatTheBrightWorldofMetals

TheNationalFoundryTechnologyNetwork,aprogrammeoftheDepartmentofTrade,Industry,andCompetition(thedtic)hostedbythe CouncilforScientificandIndustrialResearch(CSIR)inpartnership withtheSouthAfricanInstituteforFoundrymen(SAIF)andtheAluminiumFederationofSouthAfrica(AFSA),hostedaSouthAfricanPavilionatthe15thInternationalFoundryTradeFairinDüsseldorfGermanyfrom12to16June2023.

SouthAfrica’sparticipationandthepresenceofthepavilionalsosaw thelaunchofthemuch-anticipatedFoundryValueChainOnlineDirectory,SA-Foundrieswebsiteatthepavilionnetworkingsession.The groundbreakingdirectoryhasmorethan190SouthAfricancompaniesandprovedtobeausefultoolforpromotingSouthAfricaandits capabilitiesinthefoundryindustry.

AptlynamedTheBrightWorldofMetals,theGMTNtradefaircomprisesaquartetofthemetalsindustryforumsnamely,GIFA,METEC, THERMPROCESSandNEWCAST.Itisconsideredtheindustry’s biggestexportopportunityeventintheworldwhereinternational buyers,users,expertsanddecisionmakersfromthemetallurgy,heat technologyandfoundryindustriesmeettoexchangeskills,componentsandnewtechnologies.The2023fairattracted63000tradefair visitorsfrom114countriesand2200exhibitorsfrom56countries.

Whilesomecompaniescouldnotattendthetradefair,suitorshad accesstotheirofferingsandcontactdetailsthroughthedirectory.

Figure4TheSouthAfricanPavilionteamfromlefttoRight: FrontRow:MuziManzi(AFSA),MarinaBiljon(SAIF), ConstanceMokhoantle(NFTN),KelebohileSedieane(NFTN), LesegoHlalethwa(NFTN).Backrow:SteveJardin,Nigel Pardoe(SAIF),IsidoreKilongozi(NFTN)

Figure1TheSouthAfricanPavilionatGIFA2023

Figure2PicturebyMesseDusseldorf:EntranceofTheBright WorldofMetalsTradeFair

Figure3PavilionvisitorskeenlynavigatingtheSAFoundries directory.

TheSouthAfricanpavilioncementedtheNFTN’sroletoassistthefoundry industrytooperatesustainablyandcompetitivelyinbothlocalandglobal markets.

Visithttps://www.safoundries.co.za/tonavigatethedirectory.Companies whowanttohavetheirdetailsaddedtothedirectorycansendanemail withyourfoundry’sdetailstosafoundries@csir.co.za.

Figure5GuestsattheSouthAfricanPavilionnetworkingsession

SaVinylsAssociationreceivesCarolineReidAward Forcommitmenttocleanupandrecycleactivities

TheSouthernAfricanVinylsAssociation(SAVA)isthrilledto announcethatitwasoneoftherecipientsofthe2023CarolineReid AwardforClean-UpChampionsoftheYear.Thecertificateswere awardedbyPlasticsSAon18July2023overaspartofthe2nd AnnualMandelaDayactivitiesandtheofficiallaunchofCleanup& RecycleSAWeek2023,thethattookplaceatConstitutionHillin Johannesburg.

DouwSteyn,SustainabilityDirectorofPlasticsSA,explainedthatthe CarolineReidAwardwaslaunchedthreeyearsagotorecognizeand rewardexcellenceinSouthAfricabyindividualsandorganisations whohavemadesignificantcontributionstowaterways,marine,and coastalclean-upinitiatives.

“Theseannualawardsacknowledgeoutstandingeffortsin preservingSouthAfrica'senvironment,particularlyinaddressing plasticpollution.SAVA'slong-standingcommitmentandsupportfor ourclean-upandrecycleactivitiesoverthepast11yearshaveearned themthisesteemedhonourandmadethemaworthyrecipient,”

Douwsaid.

MoniqueHoltzhausen,ChiefExecutiveOfficerofSAVA,expressed hergratitudefortherecognition,stating:"Asanindustryassociation representingthelocalvinylsindustry,SAVAwholeheartedlysupports PlasticsSA’ssustainabilityprojectsthatfocusonremovingplastic

litterfromtheenvironment.Becauselessthan2%ofPVCisusedin packagingapplications,itistheplasticthatcontributestheleastto visiblelitterintheenvironment.Moreover,mostvinylproductsare usedinlong-termapplicationsthathavealifespanof50yearsor more,suchaswaterpipes,cables,flooring,windows,fencing,and decking.Nevertheless,werecognisetheimportanceofsupportingall PlasticsSA’seffortstocoordinateclean-upsinneighbourhoods,on beachesoralongriversandstreams,aswellastoeducatethepublic aboutproperwastedisposalandtheimportanceofrecycling”.

ConcludesDouw:“SAVAhasplayedasignificantroleinpromoting sustainablepracticesandenvironmentalresponsibilitywithinthe industry.Theirdedicationtosupportingcleanupinitiativesand keepingtheenvironmentfreefromplasticwastehasbeen unwavering.WearegratefulfortheirfinancialsupportandthePVC gumbootswhichhelpshieldtheteamsofvolunteersfrominsector snakebiteswhilecleaninguptherivers.Weareimmenselygrateful fortheloyalsupportofthevinylindustry.Plasticsarevaluableand serveasanessentialpartofmodernlife,butitiscrucialthatthey neverendupinrivers,streams,oroceans,unlesstheyareintheform ofgloves,gumboots,orrubbishbagsbeingusedtokeepthe environmentcleanandlitter-free."

Formoreinformationvisitwww.plasticsinfo.co.zaor www.savinyls.co.za

Themurkywatersofenvironmental,socialandgovernance(ESG) reportingarecomingunderthespotlightasmanycompaniesare beingseennottobesupportingtheprinciples,butareratherseenas simply“greenwashing”.

“ThefirstconcernwithESGreportingisthatthecompany’sfirst priorityisprofitandtheESGprogrammesaresimplyaboutdoingless harmandarenotdesignedtoproactivelymakeapositiveimpact,”says WarrenWinchester,ProductManagerforImpactFarmingatFedgroup.

“FormanycompaniesESGinitiativesandreportingisanancillary functionforthebusinesswhereitoff-setscurrentharmtomitigate riskasopposedtothebusinesspurposefullyseekingtomakea positiveimpactacrossallthreeoftheelements,”hesays.

“Acompanycanlooktofocusitsreportingonjustoneofthethree elements,soitcouldbereallygoodatsocialinitiativesbutit’s dumpingwastethatisdamagingtheenvironment,”saysWinchester.

AccordingtoWinchestertherearenospecificreportingstandards likeforIFRSreportingbutratherguidelinesthatallowcompanies alotofleewayonwhattheirESGinitiativesareandhowthey getreported.

“Becausetherearen’tspecificmetricsinplace,itisalmostimpossible forinvestorstocomparetwocompanies’ESGresults.Thereisno cleardefinitionofdatametrics,aloopholethatleavesinvestorswith insufficientinformationtomakeaninformeddecisionastowhether thecompanyorfundismakingatrueimpact,”saysWinchester.

Impactinvestmentproductsareanalternativethatinvestorscan consider.“ThedifferencebetweenimpactinvestingandESGreportingisthatanimpactinvestmentisdesignedwiththepurposeofnot doinglessharm,butratheractivelydoinggood,”hesaid.

Impactinvestmentproductsarebuiltsothattheyareabletosave

water,createjobs,uselessfossilfuelsandamyriadofotherbenefits thatspeaktoallthreeelementsofESG.Theyarealsomeasurable, makingitmoretransparentandeasierforinvestorstounderstand.

Investorsarelookingforclarityontheimpactthattheinvestment ismaking.

“Impactinvestmentproductsaremeasurableandcanbecompared likewithliketootherinvestments.Asanexampletheseproductscan tellyouexactlyhowmuchwaterhasbeensaved,howmanyjobs havebeencreatedandhowmuchrenewableenergyhasbeen harnessed,”hesays.Headdsthatthiswillallowinvestorsthe opportunitytobeabletocomparetheimpactofcompaniesandportfoliosacrossallsectors.

Winchestersaysthatupuntilnowtherehavebeenhighbarriersto entryforimpactinvestmentproducts.“Theyhavebeentooexpensive fortheaverageinvestor,”saysWinchester.

Butthisischanging.“Investmentportfoliosthatsubscribetothis businessphilosophyarebecomingincreasinglyawareofhowmore investors,especiallybetweentheagesof20-40,areactivelyseeking soundimpactinvestmentsandthismarketsegmentisseeingmore opportunitieswhicharenowbeingmadeavailable,”hesays.

Winchestergivestheexampleoftheinvestmentproductthatheis responsiblefor,namelyFedgroupImpactFarming,thatallows investorstoinvestinblueberrybushes,moringatrees,macadamia nuttrees,solarpanels,lettucestacksandbeehivesonsustainable farmsandearnanincomebasedontheharvestoftheirchosen asset.“Theycandiptheirtoeinthewaterandstartinvestingforas littleasR100andareabletoinstantlyseewhatthepositiveimpact is,allviatheFedgroupApp,”saysWinchester.

Formoreinformationvisitwww.fedgroup.co.za

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6womenleadingthefightagainstclimatechange

ByKateBrandt:ChiefSustainabilityOfficer,Google

EuniceNewtonFootewasthefirst womantopublishinaphysics journal.Herarticle,titled“ CircumstancesAffectingtheHeatof Sun’sRays,”laidthefoundationfor thediscoveryofthegreenhouse effect.Thisgroundbreakingpaper, writtenmorethan150yearsago, drewadirectlinkbetweencarbon dioxideandthewarmingofour climate,andhelpeddefineclimate scienceasweknowit.Today,on her204thbirthday,we’rehonoring herachievementswithaDoodleon theGooglehomepage.

We’realsocelebratingtheworkof sixwomenwalkinginEunice’s footstepsandmakingimportant contributionstoourunderstanding ofclimatechange.Withfunding andsupportfromGoogle.org,these innovatorsareworkingtoeducate thepublic,buildingsolutionsto mitigatetheeffectsofclimate changeandadvocatingforpolicies thatwillhelpprotectourplanet.

Dr.AnnaLiljedahlresidesinHomer,Alaska,wheresheresearchestheeffectsof climatechangeonthestorageandmovementofwaterintheArcticecosystem. ThroughprojectslikePermafrostDiscoveryGateway,Annaaimstomakeinformation frombigdatamoreaccessibletoscientistsandcommunitiesdirectlyimpactedby climatechange.She’scurrentlyanassociatescientistatWoodwellClimateResearch Center,andtodayweannounceda$5milliongrantandFellowshipfromGoogle.org tohelpthemuseAItomoreaccuratelyandfrequentlytrackArcticpermafrostthaw. “ThisfundingfromGoogle.orgwillhelpusunlockcompletelynew technologicalcapabilitiesinhowwedoscienceand,ultimately,whatscienceitself cando,”Annashares.“I’mnotsurethatEuniceNewtonFootecouldhaveimagined whattechnologywouldlookliketoday,butIdothinkshewouldhavebeenproudto seehowmanywomenarenowleadingthewayinprotectingourplanetthrough climatescienceandexploration.”

GarneringthetitleofaGoogle.orgLeadertoWatchin2022isjustoneofClara Rowe’smanyclaimstowell-earnedfameinclimatescience.Since2021,she’sserved asthefirstCEOofRestor,anopen-sourceplatformsupportedbyGoogle.orgthat connectsglobalrestorationandconservationeffortstothedata,fundingandknowledgetheyneedtosucceedandscale.Restorisnowhometo130,000restoration

1.Dr.AnnaLiljedahl

2.ClaraRowe

sitesandcounting,shiningabrightlightoneffortshappening worldwidetorestoreandconservenature.“Therestoration ofnaturehasincrediblepotentialforclimate, biodiversityandpeople,”saysClara.“Inordertounlockthatpotential,youreallyneedtobringtogethereveryoneinvolvedinthat work,ensurethatmorepeoplecangetinvolvedandthatwehave atransparentviewofwhat'shappeningwhere.Andwe'rebuilding adigitalhubtomakethatpossible.”

U.S.communitiesthatpreviouslyreliedoncoaltransitiontomore sustainablesourcesofincomeasplantsandminesclose.“Wewill onlybuildbroadpublicsupportforclimatesolutionsifwecan ensurethattheeconomicbenefitsofagreeneconomyare equitablyshared,”Heidisays.

Whatif,ratherthanusingplasticsandothernon-biodegradable materialsthatwillendupinlandfills,wecoulduseregenerative materials—justlikenaturehasforbillionsofyears?That’sjust whatDr.AlysiaGarmulewiczandLizCorbinhadinmind.As co-foundersandco-CEOsofMateriom,GarmulewiczandCorbin createdanopen-source“recipebook''withGoogle.org’ssupport tohelpmanufacturersreplaceunsustainablematerialswith biodegradablealternatives.Forinstance,didyouknowyoucan make“leather”outofbananapeels?Orreplaceclearplasticwith seaweed?Materiom’scommunityhasgrowntoincludemorethan 6,000researchers,industrialdesignersandmanufacturers.Their goal:tomakeiteasierforeveryonetoproduceregenerativeand sustainablematerials,andultimatelytransformthematerials market.

5.HeidiBinko

HeidiBinkohaslongsupportedthegreenenergymovementby workingwithcoalcommunities,bothintheU.S.andinternationally.Concernedaboutthosewhoselivelihoodsdependoncoal production,shesetouttosolvetheproblemfromaneconomic angle.In2015,sheco-foundedtheJustTransitionFund.With supportfromGoogle.org,theJustTransitionFundishelpingrural

AngieFyfe’sworkinsustainabilitybeganin2003,whenshe successfullymanagedtheconstructionofthefirst-everLEEDcertifiedstategovernment-ownedbuilding.AsExecutiveDirectorof ICLEILocalGovernmentsforSustainabilityUSA,Fyfeisdedicated tohelpingU.S.localgovernmentsaddressclimatechangeandbuild healthy,equitableandresilientcommunities.Aspartofour commitmenttohelpcitiesandlocalgovernmentsreducecarbon emissions,Google.orgsupportedthecreationofICLEI'sAction Fund,whichhelpscivicorganizationsusedatatoreducetheir carbonemissions.BesidessupportingtheFund’snewprojects,Fyfe hasplayedakeyroleindoublingthesizeofICLEI'snetworkover thepastnineyears.Hertheoryofchange?“Standards,protocols anddataenablegoodpolicydevelopment,whichleadstoaction andimpact.”

3.Dr.AlysiaGarmulewiczand 4.LizCorbin

6.AngieFyfe

FollowinginthefootstepsofclimatepioneerEuniceNewton Foote,thesesixwomenaremakingstridesinthefightagainst climatechangewithsupportfromGoogle.org.

Zutariembracesequityandco-creates equalopportunitiesforall

LeadingconsultingengineeringandinfrastructureadvisoryfirmZutarivaluescontrastingvoices,alternativeperspectives andinsightsintodifferentcultures.

Itisinthisspacethatnewinsightsbecomesharedgoalsandauniquesenseofcommunityisformed.Zutarifullysupports thevisionofanon-racialandnon-sexistinclusivedemocracybyco-creatingopportunitiesforall.Ontheoccasionof InternationalWomen’sDayon8March,underthethemeof#EmbraceEquity,wetalktothreetrailblazingwomenatZutari abouttheimpactithasonlocalcommunitiesandhowthisreflectsitsbroadervaluesofdiversityandinclusion.

AndileMaphumulo,SeniorConsultant,

CommunicationandStakeholderEngagement (Management&Sustainability),Zutari

Andiledescribesherselfasajackofalltrades whenitcomestocommunication,stakeholder engagement,communitydevelopment, socioeconomicdevelopmentandenterprise development.Sheoftenistheinterface betweentheclientandthecommunity,which manycompaniesuseasabrandingspace. However,Zutarico-createsimpact.“Weare involvedwiththecommunityatagrassrootslevel.Itisfascinating toseetheactualimpactwemakeonaday-to-daybasis,andwith eachandeverysingleprojectweundertake.”

ThecultureatZutariisdiverseandinclusiveandsupportsits employeesineverythingtheydo.“Itisablessingtobepartofthat bigvisionbecausewehavearealimpactthataffectspeople’slives. ItisclosetomyheartthatZutarico-createsmechanismstoleavea lastingimpactandlegacy.”

Herselfhailingfromasmallvillageenvironment,Andilesaysthis experiencegivesherauniqueinsight.“IhaveestablishedrelationshipsthatarebeneficialtoZutaritobringitsexpertisetobear, whilebeingmindfulandrespectfulofthelocalcommunity’scustoms/traditionsandexpectations.Thatallgoesbacktothebrand anditsvalues.”

BetseyMathew,SeniorPeopleBusiness Partner,Zutari

BetseyoverseestheHRfunctionintheMiddleEast,managingthe lifecycleofabout200employees.Theregionisthework-winning engineforthecompany,whichthengetstransferredtotheGlobal DesignCentreinCapeTown.ShesaysZutariisdefinedbyits culture,andthatcultureisunderpinnedbytheZutariCodes.

“ItissomethingIamverypassionateaboutas itembedswhatwestandforintheformof simpleaphorismslike‘weareone’,‘show grit’,‘fostertrust’,‘ownit’and‘getthings done’.Thesesimplecatchphrasesgoalong way,”saysBetsey,astheyallowfordialogue andaconsistentmessagethroughoutthe company.

CommentingontheIWD2023themeof#EmbraceEquity,Betsey saysthethemeitselfreflectshowInternationalWomen’sDayhas evolved.“Itisaninterestingthemethisyear.Equityisnotonlyto ensuregenderequalityorequalopportunities.Wehavecomea longway.NowitisaboutequalmetricswhereIammeasured againstthesametargetsasanotherpersonwouldbe.Asawoman, andespeciallyasawomanofcolour,Idonotexpectsofteror harshertargetsbecauseofwhoIam.Iwearmycolourwith pride.”elicia.Anotherobstacleisunconsciousbias,whichtheZutari cultureactivelymitigatesbyequippingallwithanequalvoice.

BlanchéHanstein-Kaber,CountryManager: Namibia,Zutari

Blanchébeganhercareeratthecompanyas aStructuralTechnician.Persuadedtocontinue herstudies,sheachievedherBTechin2009, layingthefoundationforherlargelytechnical role.However,in2018shewasapproachedto applyforthepositionofCountryManagerof theNamibiaoffice.

“Iwascompletelytakenabackasitwassounexpected.Iwasina technicalfieldandhadnomanagerialexperience.However,Zutari managementsaidtheysawpotentialandthatitwasnotaboutexperience,”saysBlanché.Shetookthemuptheoffer,startingwhat shedescribesasanincrediblejourney.

BlanchéattendedtheWomeninLeadershipRolesprogrammein CapeTown,whichshesayswentalongwaytoinstillingconfidence inherself.InAprilshegraduatesfromthe18-monthAdaptiveLeadershipCourse.ShesaystheleadershiptrainingofferedbyZutari hasbeenexemplary,benefitingherinhermanagementroleandin herpersonallife.

Blanchéconcursthat#EmbraceEquitymeansequalopportunities forall.“Imyselfhavewalkedthatjourneyandobservedthatthe companyisopentothat.Theopportunitiesarethere.Itisjusta matterofgrabbingholdofthem.IampassionateabouttheZutari Codestatingthat‘weareone’.Itdoesnotmatterwhoweare,we arealltreatedthesameandareallconnectedtogether,whichis howweembraceequity,”concludesBlanché.

MercyKariu,StructuralRevitTechnicianinthe BuiltEnvironmentUnit,Zutari

Mercy’sroleismorecommonlyreferredtoas aBIMcoordinator.“Iamfortunateenoughto workinanenvironmentthatallows multidisciplinaryengineering,”shesays.She managesandcoordinatesthebenefitsofBIM fortheentireteamandmanagesthe informationproducedandhowitisshared. “Itisveryexcitingtobeatthecuttingedgeof everythingthatischangingintermsof technology.”

BasedinNairobi,Kenya,Mercysaysherrolehasbeenprofoundly facilitatedbyadvancingtechnology.“Igettoworkwithpeoplein SouthAfricaandelsewhere.ItisadreamcometruebecauseIget tolearnabouthowpeopleworkinothercountriesandtheir differentpolicies,regulations,codesandstandards.”

Mercy’sinterpretationof#EmbraceEquityisthatthereisnolonger anyneedforhertobeconsidereddifferentlyfromhermale counterpartsornotaffordedthesameopportunities.“Whenthat isachieved,IamabletoprovemyselfasIaminanenvironment wheredifferentstandardsarenotsetaccordingtomygender, colourorbackground.Itisafairandlevelplayingfieldintermsof opportunityandcareerdevelopment.”

SeliciaPillay,StructuralEngineerintheGlobal DesignCentre(BuiltEnvironment),Zutari

AsaStructuralEngineerintheZutariGlobalDesignCentre,most ofSelicia’sprojectsareAustraliabased.“Ihavebeenluckytohave

beenexposedtoworld-classprojects,which youwouldnotgetinanyothercompany,and thatisexciting.Itopensupyourmindto differenttechnicalskillsandwaysofwork. However,itallcomesdowntohavingagood technicalfoundation,asitdoesnotmatterin whatcountryyouworkin.”Seliciasaysthere isasocialaspectaswellduetotheexposure todifferentcultures.

Oncertainprojectsshecommunicatesdirectlywithvarious stakeholdersindifferenttimezones.“Havingthatexposureand liaisingwithstakeholdersisagreatexperience,asitshowshow resilientandadaptabletheZutaricultureis.”

ThishasbeenamindsetchangeacceleratedbytheCovid-19 pandemic.“Wewerecompelledtostayathomeandmakeitwork. Wewereliterallyworkingonexceptionalprojectswhichseemed almostsurrealconsideringwewereworkingfromhome.”

HavingstartedatZutariimmediatelyupongraduating,oneof Selicia’sfirstprojectswastheiconic16onBreehigh-riseresidential buildinginCapeTown.Givenshehasonlybeenwiththecompany fiveyears,sheisgratefulfortheextensiveexperienceshehas garneredtodate,includingbeingabletogotositeonlocal projects,andexposuretoarangeofdigitaltoolsthatallowsusto deliverprojectsvirtually,anywhereintheworld.

“Idonotthinkthereisanythinglikeseeingsomethingyouhave designedcometolife,whichformeisoneofmyhighlights.Iam amazedatwhatIhaveaccomplishedthusfar,andthankfulfor ZutarishowingmewhatIamcapableofachieving,”saysSelicia. #EmbraceEquitysimplymeansbeingonasimilarfootingtoher peers.“IhaveworkedhardtobewhereIamanddonotwantto begrantedconcessionsonlybecauseIamawoman.However, therearestillsystemicbarriersandglassceilingsinplace.”Stillin theearlystageofhercareer,Seliciasaysshehasalreadyobserved amarkeddifference.

“Iwouldstillliketoseeanequalnumberofwomeninleadership positions,whichisaglassceilingthatstillneedstobebroken.I thinkweareheadedintherightdirection,butweneedtowork towardsbreakingthosebarriers,”saysSelicia.Anotherobstacleis unconsciousbias,whichtheZutaricultureactivelymitigatesby equippingallwithanequalvoice.

IntroducingRMS'RevolutionaryZeroAccelerated SolutionforSustainability

NikhilNaidoo,ZeroAcceleratedSustainabilitySolutionLeadatRemoteMeteringSolutions.

RemoteMeteringSolutions(RMS)hasalwaysbeenatrailblazerin SouthernAfrica'scomplexenergysector,constantlypushingthe boundariesofinnovationandprogress.RMSisthrilledtoannounce itslatestgroundbreakingoffering,ZeroAccelerated,afully integrateddataanalysisandpropertymanagementsolutioncombiningcutting-edgetechnologyandexceptionalservices.

Overthepastyear,theRMSSustainabilitydivisionhasplayeda vitalroleinSouthAfrica'sEnergyPerformanceCertification(EPC) process.NikhilNaidoo,ZeroAcceleratedSustainabilitySolution LeadatRemoteMeteringSolutions,highlightstheircommitmentto thecertificationprocess,certifyingaround900buildings,accountingforanimpressive50%ofallEPCcertificationsinthecountry. Thisachievementdemonstratestheirdedicationtoviewing certificationasanongoingprocessratherthanaone-timeproject, unlockingscalabilityandfosteringinvaluableinteractionswith buildingmanagers,companies,andpropertyowners.

Data-DrivenDecision-Making

Fromtheirextensiveexperience,RMShasidentifiedcommon obstacleshinderingefficientbuildingoperations.Toaddressthese challengescomprehensively,RMShasleverageditsinsightsfrom theEPCprocesstodevelopZeroAccelerated.

Naidooexplains,"ZeroAcceleratedutilisesdatafromsmartmeters toenhanceandoptimiseoperations.Wehavedesignedittobe compatiblewithmetersfrommajorserviceproviders,ensuring flexibilityandconnectivity."

Theapplicationextractsdatafromthesemetersandpresentsitin user-friendlydashboardstailoredtospecificneeds.Itofferstwo perspectives:acomprehensiveportfolio-wideviewforC-suite executivesandaground-levelviewforbuildingmanagers.By translatingcomplexdataintoeasilyunderstandableformats,Zero Acceleratedempowersdecision-makersresponsibleforcrucial choicesregardingbuildingoperations.

EmpoweringUsersandDrivingResults

However,ZeroAcceleratedgoesbeyondbeingjustsophisticated software.Naidooemphasises,"Oursolutionprovidesdataandthe servicestointerpretandactonit.Wedeveloplogicthatsendsalerts

forspecificactions,suchassystemshutdownsduringspecifichours." Onceinstalled,RMSonboardandtrainsbuildingmanagersto ensuretheyfullygraspthesystem.Theyprovidedetailed instructionsonutilisingZeroAccelerated,analysingdata,and takingactionstooptimisethebuildingenvironment.Userengagementisvital,asthetrueimpactofZeroAcceleratedisrealised whenthoseonthegroundactivelyuseit.

Naidooadds,"ZeroAcceleratedisaresults-drivensolution.We closelymonitorbuildingperformancealongsideourclients, ensuringwaterandenergyusagereductions.Iftargetsaren'tmet, weofferfurthertrainingtobuildingstafftopromoteefficiency."

Recognisingthatnoteveryonepossessesengineeringortechnical expertise,RMShasprioritiseduser-friendlinessindesigningZero Accelerated,avoidingassumptionsaboutusers'technicalknowledge.

MarketGrowth

ZeroAcceleratediscurrentlybeingphasedinwithRMSclients, generatingexcitementthroughpilotprojectswithpropertyfunds, generalcorporates,andbanks.RMSisdelightedbythehigh conversionratefromproposaltoclientacquisitionanditspotential toimprovedecision-makinginenergymanagementsignificantly.

Moreover,RMSaimstoreachnewclientsseekingsustainability solutionsinthebroadermarket.Naidooaffirms,"ZeroAccelerated isafullyintegratedenergymanagementsolution,representingour latestendeavourindrivingthefutureofsustainableenergy managementinSouthernAfrica."

Naidooconcludes,"WithZeroAccelerated,wecontinuetoleadthe wayintechnologicalinnovation,providingpracticalsolutionsthat contributetothelargersustainabilityconversation.Weeagerly anticipateshapingthefutureofenergymanagementalongsideour clientsandpartners."

Ifyou'reabuildingownerorpropertymanagerinterestedin reducingenergyfootprintsandoptimisingcosts,reachoutto zeroaccelerated@remotemetering.netorvisithttps://remotemetering.net/zero-acceleratedtolearnhowtheRMSZeroAccelerated solutioncanbenefityou.

TheGreenAgenda advocatesforasustainablefuture andtogetherwecanmakethechange.