The IAASB issues Consultation Paper to enhance reporting on greenhouse gases

The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) is developing a new assurance standard on greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). A consultation paper has been issued for comment.
>>Read more

New "green" index of businesses in emerging markets

Media Release Dec 10 2009 The private sector arm of the World Bank today launched the first ever eco-friendly stock market index that allows investors to track the carbon efficiency of companies doing business in emerging economies.
>>Read more

Dept of Environmental Affairs warns against non-compliance with environmental laws.

The Department of Environmental Affairs' Environmental Management Inspectors (Green Scorpions) will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that those found flouting environmental laws of this country face the full wrath of the law.
>> Read more

$500 Million infusion gives South Africa critical boost to meet ambitious clean energy goals

The Clean Technology Fund (CTP) has given South Africa $500 million funding to promote energy efficiency. SA will use the money to scale up grid-connected renewable energy, solar water heaters for a half million South African households, energy efficiency. The following press release was released on 5 November 2009 by the CTF.
>> Read more

Watch out for …

The SA Government is set to issue a Green paper on Climate Change in April 2010. It will cover both mitigation and adaptation policies.

Talk around town is that possible incentives and policy measures could include:

• A tax on carbon emissions effective 2012
• Mandatory carbon emission cuts on commercial buildings by 2015
• Mandatory carbon inventory calculations (probably for bigger companies, for those instance companies with an electricity bill greater than a certain size).

According to a Business Report story (27 January 2010), the government will release details of its commitment to cut carbon emissions during the year as it develops a white paper on climate change by year-end. The government made a pledge at the Copenhagen conference in December last year to cut carbon emissions by 34% from a business-as-usual scenario by 2020 and 42% by 2025. But the pledge is conditional on an internationally binding agreement on global warming being put in place and for developing countries to receive substantial technical and financial support.

Joanne Yawitch from the Dept. of Environmental Affairs says in the story that the pledge figure is based on a technical document (which has not been made public), drawing from the long-term mitigation scenarios and the integrated resource plan released by the Dept of Energy last month.

BUSA has made calls for the government to say how it intends to reach the targets by June this year.

In the meantime, Yawitch has confirmed that the pledge assumes the establishment of 100 megawatts of concentrated solar power and 200 megawatts of wind power; the introduction of independent power producers; the roll-out of solar water heaters; and achieving energy efficiency savings of 35% by 2015.