As Cabinet is busy approving the Just Transition Framework for publication, the Presidential Climate Commission (PCC) has unpacked a key part of what the framework will be premised on – Climate Resilience Development Pathways (CRDPs). PCC commissioner Makoma Lekalakala says South Africa’s Just Transition can only be realised if CRDPs are at its core, while PCC secretariat Crispian Olver states the CRDP approach is vital for implementing the Just Transition Framework.
The adoption of new minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) for electric motors in South Africa will provide significant energy savings, improve operational competitiveness and alleviate pressure on the country’s electricity supply crisis, says energy research institution South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI). South Africa’s industrial sector is dominated by motors that fall under the lowest class of international efficiency standards (IE1).
Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA) CEO Busi Mavuso says clear and concise requests by the public sector or government go a long way in helping the private sector plan and implement initiatives to address business and societal problems, while vague and open-ended requests do little to alleviate problems.

“I spend a lot of time in engagements with other social partners about how business can best work with government and others. I have learned there are effective ways of getting positive outcomes but there are also ineffective ways that disappoint everyone,” she says.

JSE-listed retail group Massmart will install a further 150 building management systems (BMSs) at its stores in South Africa over the next year and a half, with more than 155 BMSs already installed at some of its stores. The company has partnered with BMS specialist company Green Wave Group and industrial technology multinational Schneider Electric for an installation of BMS solutions at its stores across South Africa.
Renewable energy skills development agency Nepoworx Renewable Energy Institution (Nepoworx) and the Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Sector Education and Training Authority have signed a memorandum of agreement (MoA) to implement a nationwide green skills programme.

The programme is targeted at unemployed youth and is designed to train them as solar photovoltaic (PV) service technicians, capable of being employed thereafter, either at PV plants or to conduct rooftop solar PV installations.

Bill Gates-backed TerraPower raised at least $750-million to advance efforts to develop small-scale nuclear reactors, including a major investment from South Korean conglomerate SK Group. SK will invest $250-million to add a stake in the technology developer, which aims to commercialize smaller and cheaper designs than conventional nuclear plants, the companies said Monday in separate statements.
Black-owned coal miner Seriti Resources says the R892-million acquisition of a majority stake in Windlab Africa’s wind and solar assets represents a significant landmark in the company’s ambition to become a diversified energy business, as well as in reducing its own carbon emissions. Through the transaction, Seriti Resources’ recently-established Seriti Green will acquire a 51% controlling interest in Windlab Africa together with RMB (14.5%), Standard Bank (14.5%) and two individual partners, Windlab Africa’s Peter Venn (15%) and Ntiso Investment Holdings (5%).