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Complex transition: A man fishes across from the Wujing coal power station in Shanghai, China and electrical workers in a boat check solar panels at a photovoltaic power station built in a fishpond in Haian, China. Mzukisi Qobo writes that China calibrates its pragmatic use of coal with increasing investments in renewable energy rather than basing its future decisions purely on idealism. Photos: Johannes Eisele/AFP & AFP

South Africa must approach its energy transition pragmatically

A sensible climate policy must balance the imperative of decarbonisation, socioeconomic policy and security of supply considerations

Fired up: Despite the health and climate change hazards caused by energy from fossil fuels, South Africa still relies on coal from mines such as Schonland near eMalahleni in Mpumalanga. (Wikus De Wet/AFP)

Covid-19 puts green energy in a coma

The pandemic has disrupted governments’ plans to flatline the upward trajectory of global warming

(John McCann/M&G)

Grass roots of Ice-Age extinctions

Mammoths and sabre-tooth cats once roamed the continent, but were our ancient ancestors responsible for their disappearance?

A full quarter of that one-metre rise in the sea level by 2030 will be because of emissions from China, the United States, the European Union, Russia and India in the preceding 40 years (Ulet Ifansasti/Getty Images)

Even in best case scenario, oceans will rise dramatically

The sea level can be expected to rise by at least a metre by 2300 in the unlikely event greenhouse gas emissions fall to zero in the next 11 years

Netflix has not yet reported its 2019 financials. (Mike Blake/Reuters)

Chill your Netflix habit, climate experts say

Experts say the ease of streaming services comes with a hefty environmental price tag

At the same time, governments need to introduce new regulations and offer bigger incentives to get projects off the ground. (David Harrison/M&G)

Green projects in cities are the key to big finance

Climate-friendly policies for urban areas have immediate benefits, both social and economic

In the tale of two burning rainforests, there is a common thread: As the flames roar through the Amazon and South-east Asia, hopes of limiting greenhouse gases are going up in smoke. (Ricardo Moraes/Reuters)

Forest fires 16,000km away affect Singapore

CO2 from burning forests whether in Amazon or S-E Asia exacerbates climate woes globally

The research found that, on April 7, daily global carbon emissions dropped 17%. This is the day when the most countries and the most number of people were under some sort of a lockdown.  (Reuters)

Ecological land grab: food vs fuel vs forests

A world of narrowing options threatens to pit biofuels, forests and food production against each other

A scooter that averages ten miles (16 kilometers) per day produces 3 500 grams less carbon dioxide than a car traveling the same distance.(Andrew Wong/Getty Images)

Don’t Fear the Scooter

While electric two-wheelers can indeed be dangerous, the hazard is primarily to the rider

Deforestation and agriculture, including livestock production, account for about a quarter of greenhouse gas emissions, and have wreaked havoc on natural ecosystems as well. (Carl de Souza/AFP)

One million species risk extinction due to humans — draft UN report

Biodiversity loss and global warming are closely linked, according to the 44-page Summary for Policy Makers

Coal, a key fuel for electricity production, is a major producer of carbon dioxide emissions, a major driver of global warming. (Wolfgang Rattay/Reuters)

Glencore pledges to limit coal production

Glencore notes it is well-positioned to support the transition to a lower-carbon economy

Ahmed Timol’s brother

Objections to construction of two coal-fired power stations dismissed

The decision came on the second day of COP22, where South Africa is negotiating how the Paris Agreement will play out.

Outdoor air quality funding to sub-Saharan Africa collapsed by 91% in just one year, falling from $129 million in 2022 to a mere $11.8 million in 2023.
Photo: File

Local companies doing little to lower carbon emissions

While South African companies lead the world in disclosing their carbon emissions, they are doing little to lower them.

Outdoor air quality funding to sub-Saharan Africa collapsed by 91% in just one year, falling from $129 million in 2022 to a mere $11.8 million in 2023.
Photo: File

New Eskom power plant defies carbon cut pledge

Plans for a new coal-fired power station are baffling in light of South Africa’s agreement to decrease its emissions by 34% by 2020.

Carbon dioxide ‘driving fish mad’

Carbon dioxide ‘driving fish mad’

Researchers find that it is making them increasingly vulnerable to predators.

Offsets make light of COP17 carbon load

Offsets make light of COP17 carbon load

Conference on how to curb carbon emissions generates tonnes of the stuff.

Black cloud over China’s green growth

China making huge strides in using green energy but coal consumption continues to increase.

Record carbon-dioxide emissions ‘a wake-up call’

Carbon-dioxide emissions hit a record high last year, the International Energy Agency has said.

Carbon emissions reduction reflects nations’ economic slump

Global carbon dioxide emissions dropped 1.3% in 2009 compared with the previous year, largely owing to the effects of the economic crisis.