IEA to seek ‘achievable’ 4% a year global energy efficiency improvement goal at COP28

Global body the International Energy Agency (IEA) will seek to secure commitments from all governments to improve the global average rate of energy efficiency from 2% a year to 4% a year at the United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP) 28 to be held in Dubai from November 30. This goal of doubling yearly energy efficiency improvement is not only achievable but will help to address a significant amount of the greenhouse-gas emissions reductions targets, and improve energy security and help to reduce energy prices, IEA executive director Dr Fatih Birol said during the launch of the IEA ‘Energy Efficiency 2023’ report, on November 29.
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UK’s BII to invest R125m on Northern, Eastern Cape wind farms

UK development finance institution British International Investment (BII) will invest R125-million in two 140 MW wind farms in the Northern Cape and Eastern Cape to help tackle South Africa’s energy crisis and accelerate economic growth. The two wind farms are currently under construction, are expected to reach completion in 2024 and will provide clean, affordable energy to South Africa. This is part of a three-project cluster being co-developed by renewable energy investment company H1 Capital and energy company EDF Renewables.
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Gore warns of ‘plateauing’ pace of delivery on power, logistics, crime reforms

Business Unity South Africa (Busa) president Adrian Gore has warned that the pace of delivery across the joint initiatives being taken with government on electricity, logistics and crime is “plateauing” and has called for a greater sense of “urgency and determination” to re-establish momentum. In a joint statement released following the latest high-level meeting between business and government convened by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Tuesday, Gore attributed the recent lack of progress to “delays in regulatory and other approvals, as well as a slippage on the implementation of strategic plans, and the alignment of these to workable funding solutions”.
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