With COP26, the global climate change conference which was held in Glasgow, Scotland this year, having come to an end, there have been mixed reactions to the outcomes of this event. Many have hailed it as a step forward to limiting global warming to the 1.5 degrees Celsius needed to avert catastrophe, while others argued that not enough has been done, especially in support for smaller nations that are struggling. Of course, much of the debate has centered around the issue of coal use – or coal reliance – where a last-minute change saw countries pledge to “phase down” rather than “phase out” coal power.
South Africa’s Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister, Barbara Creecy, was recently quoted in a Daily Maverick article stating that “an emphasis on a just transition and accessing the necessary financing to ensure that marginalised communities aren’t further disadvantaged in the move away from coal (will be examined)” and commented that “the argument of gas as an “important transitional fuel” in the shift away from coal was accepted by the department as gas has half the carbon footprint of coal”. We of course, still need to see concrete plans in this regard and eagerly await more clarification.
However, we still believe that a great alternative to coal is the use of waste-to-energy solutions such as Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF). This is a fuel created from solid, dry, non-reusable, or recyclable solid waste (refuse) typically found in industrial and municipal waste streams – and by converting this kind of waste into an alternative fuel, it can be used alone or with a co-combustor such as coal. Repurposing is important, as it reduces the volume of non-recyclable waste to landfills and the consumption of conventional fuels that are non-renewable and environmentally harmful. In fact, we have seen how this type of waste has the potential to lighten the energy load and offer alternative power sources.
However, the good news for South Africa is the Just Energy Transition Partnership will provide $8.5 billion in grants and cheaper loans over the next five years – all funded by the United States, Britain, France, Germany, and the European Union. Through this programme our decarbonisation efforts will increase, which is fantastic news for us, and some believe it may even give us a sustainable solution for our power utility’s debt and ensure its long-term financial viability or even help support the development of renewable energy, electric vehicles and green hydrogen sectors.
Certainly, this is all good news and provides hope for a carbon-reduced future. However, these big corporate agendas on climate change cannot work in isolation and reduced carbon emissions are very reliant on us as individuals to drive change – it is about speaking to your family and kids about it, holding one another accountable for strong environmental practices and ensuring that we all play a role in reducing climate change.
So, as you start to slow down over the holiday season, take some time to educate yourself even further on how you can make a difference and how, together, you and your family can take active steps in protecting the environment. There are some great podcasts available that give us practical insights into climate change, how we can get involved and demonstrate the impact of small acts of environmental kindness on the overall climate agenda. Take a look!
If you are interested in exploring a few more podcasts, check out this article that showcases 8 great podcasts to listen to on climate change! Take the time this festive season to learn, practice and drive environmentally sound practices, be it at home, on the beach or at work.
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