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File photo: A farmer walks among coffee trees in Kenya.(Photo by TONY KARUMBA / AFP)

Biofuels: A new era of extraction

Counting on African farmers to grow biofuel crops, Italian oil giant Eni is making big promises to help the air and shipping industries get carbon neutral. In a year-long…

Drug testing policies must comply with the law, as well as be fair and respectful of employees’ rights, protecting both them and the company. Photographer: Waldo Swiegers/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Bricks and biofuels: Cannabis can grow South Africa

Two promising uses of hemp are the manufacturing of “green” biofuels and the building of low-cost and sustainable housing

The decision by the rescue practitioners to place workers on leave and suspend domestic flights follows heated negotiations between the rescue practitioners and labour unions earlier in the week regarding the airline’s retrenchment process.

​Going green: SAA flies high in its maiden tobacco-fuelled flight

SAA has successfully flown a Boeing using biofuel. The power source will be more sustainable when it’s processed in South Africa.

The department of international relations announced that 93 South Africans have been repatriated. But others are still waiting to get back home.

What has SAA been smoking now?

A strain of tobacco holds the promise of biofuel for South African Airways’s fleet of planes, but raises issues of feasibility and economic viability.

Global greenhouse-gas emissions should have their numbers dwindle if we remain faithful to emerging technologies. Photo: Supplied

Fossil-fuel industry a grim reaper

Fifteen thousand South Africans are dying every year because of an economy based on burning fossil fuels.

The South African agricultural sector is on solid ground for now and we shouldn’t be worried — but we should be vigilant.

Food comes before biofuel, says Oxfam

Biofuel producers have taken over land around the world that could feed nearly one billion people, says international charity Oxfam.

GM maize being developed for fuel instead of food

Campaigners say plants being grown in US may worsen global food crisis, while farmers express cross-contamination fears.

Biofuel scepticism prompts German summit

Politicians move to prevent a consumer backlash against biofuels from snowballing into a full-scale petrol shortage.

New era dawns for mini synfuels

New era dawns for mini synfuels

Developing countries — and the environment — could benefit greatly from new technology that makes fuel and electricity from waste.

Biofuel and its local spin-offs on the agenda again

The debate about biofuel has largely been silent since the advent of the recession but as the economy slowly recovers the talk has begun again.

Swimming in fuel

The same algae that turns a swimming pool green and nasty could one day fuel your bakkie.