Global crisis driving greater energy efficiency – IEA

Energy efficiency actions have accelerated globally this year as governments and consumers have increasingly turned to efficiency measures as part of their responses to fuel supply disruptions and record-high energy prices, indicating a potential turning point after several years of slow progress, international organisation the International Energy Agency (IEA) says. Government ambitions on efficiency have grown as fuel prices soared, with many major policies, spending commitments and public campaigns launched.
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Global market for green hydrogen derivatives such as ammonia emerging

According to the World Platinum Investment Council, there are signs that a global market in green hydrogen or green hydrogen derivatives is emerging, with more than 80 announcements between 2020 and 2021 for projects or collaborations that relate to global hydrogen or ammonia trade. Based on these announcements, the most active prospective importers are Germany, Japan and the Netherlands, with the most active prospective exporter being Australia.
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Tiger Brands reports a 10% increase in total revenue despite poor economic conditions

Food manufacturer Tiger Brands has reported a 10% increase in total revenue to R34-billion from continuing operations, ultimately delivering robust results for the financial year ended September 30, despite tough trading conditions and significant input cost inflation. “This year’s solid performance is encouraging and provides us with important forward momentum and internal confidence as we continue to focus on . . . implementing our strategies,” Tiger Brands CEO Noel Doyle said on December 2.
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Loadshedding until further notice as 6 generating units break down

Eskom will implement continuous stage 2 loadshedding until further notice due to the breakdown of six generating units at five power stations, the power utility said on Friday afternoon. There has also been a delay in return to service of “numerous” generating units, spokesperson Sikonathi Mantshantsha added. A generating unit each at Duvha, Grootvlei, Hendrina, Majuba and two units at Arnot Power Station, were taken offline for repairs over the past 24 hours.
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Swiss engineering group ABB fined $4.3m following South African bribery case

Swiss engineering and technology group ABB has been fined Swfr4-million ($4.3-million) by the country’s Attorney General in connection with a bribery case in South Africa. The Attorney General’s office on Friday said the penalty was imposed on ABB for “not having taken all necessary and reasonable organisational provisions in order to prevent bribery payments to foreign officials in South Africa”.
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Mining sector aims to reduce carbon emissions

Although the global mining sector has set ambitious targets to reduce its carbon emissions contribution, the sector needs to thoroughly evaluate how to go about meeting these targets amid various challenges. The sector has pursued a combination of switching to renewable-energy sources, identifying opportunities to improve efficiencies to reduce energy consumption and investing in electric vehicles and low-emission fuels as a means of addressing its emissions.
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Decarbonised economy requires diverse approach

A decarbonised economy requires not only investment in renewable energy, but also exploring and integrating other options to decarbonise industrial processes that comprise about 75% of total carbon emissions, says financial advisory services company Cresco Group senior associate Dominic Goncalves. Although most of the focus is on renewable-energy sources when trying to reduce carbon emissions, electricity production comprises a small portion of carbon emissions associated with industrial processes.
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Just Transition requires a whole-of-society approach

The South African economy is dependent on fossil fuels for its energy needs. Therefore, a “Just Transition” requires a whole-of-society approach, says chemical engineering Emeritus Professor Eugene Cairncross – formerly at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology and working with the Life After Coal campaign. Life After Coal is a joint campaign by nonprofit environmental organisations Earthlife Africa Johannesburg and groundWork, along with non-profit environmental rights law firm Centre for Environmental Rights.
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