Tag: climate change

South Africa confronts multiple water challenges during National Water Week commemorations. National Water Week serves as a wake-up call to the country’s deepening water crisis. Climate change drives extreme weather, threatens water quality and impacts water security.

The agriculture sector is integral to the South African economy. It contributes around R400 billion to GDP each year. Additionally, it supports approximately 870,000 jobs across the country. The sector also generates USD13 billion in export revenue annually. Moreover, it plays a critical role in supporting South Africa’s food security.

Extreme weather events - floods, droughts, typhoons and wildfires - and their frequency - are getting worse. In the past, these disasters were considered unpredictable, inalterable natural events. Today, extreme weather events are largely accepted as inevitable, and their severity and frequency influenced, if not caused, by human activity.

Read our exclusive cover story titled Blurred lines – [un]natural disasters and insurance risk by Donald Dinnie, Director, and Danita Mungaroo, Candidate Attorney, Norton Rose Fulbright South Africa, plus a host of other topical management articles written by professionals, consultants and academics.

During the 1990s and early 2000s, South African mines bought electricity from Eskom at regulated tariffs. These tariffs were globally competitive. Eskom prioritised the mines as their most important customers. Eskom faced few hurdles related to climate change concerns. Buyers had little choice, but the energy was cheap and reliable. There were few viable alternatives.

The 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) has just unfolded in Baku, Azerbaijan. This means that since 1992, when 154 countries signed the UNFCCC agreeing to combat harmful human impacts on the climate, we are still grappling with many challenges.

As South Africa assumes the presidency of the Global Group of 20 (G20) in December, it faces significant opportunities. The country is set to lead global discussions on sustainable energy and economic development for the Global South. "Just energy transition" and financing solutions for economic growth are the top priorities on South Africa’s G20 agenda. This highlights the need for innovative, resilient, and green technology solutions.

As more people move to urban areas, cities must become more efficient, sustainable, and liveable. Smart city initiatives lead this shift by leveraging advanced technologies to transform urban life.

Generation Z, born between the late 1990s and early 2010s, is moving into the workforce and becoming one of the most influential consumer demographics. Retailers will need to adjust their strategies if they are to remain relevant for this highly educated, socially aware and digitally connected cohort.

While South Africa has enjoyed an extended respite from load shedding this year, there are other compelling reasons to accelerate the transition to renewable energy. One of the reasons are that businesses and homeowners are concerned about Eskom’s reported intention of seeking a 36% increase in tariffs in 2025 - on the back of electricity prices that have roughly tripled over the past 14 years.