Climate Change Solutions Update

Tag: South Africa

  • Making climate action stick

    The global transition from fossil fuels to renewables is well underway, with solar and wind emerging as the cheapest forms of power. However, challenges such as job losses in coal-dependent communities highlight the need for a "just transition" that prioritizes community ownership and governance in new energy systems. Philanthropy plays a crucial role in advancing energy transitions that empower communities and ensure long-term sustainability. Initiatives like INSPIRE in South Africa demonstrate the importance of shared ownership and community involvement in renewable energy projects. Climate philanthropy must focus on building a global infrastructure for just transition work, funding civic engagement, and addressing funding disparities to ensure equitable and inclusive energy transitions for all stakeholders.

    https://www.climateworks.org/blog/making-climate-action-stick/

  • The clean energy transition needs land. Can it help restore it too?

    At a UN desertification conference in Mongolia, experts discussed how renewable energy expansion can co-exist with land protection and restoration, showcasing examples such as repurposing degraded mining land in South Africa and combining solar panels with vegetation in China. Renewable energy projects like solar irrigation in India are proving to generate electricity while benefiting agriculture and restoring land. The UN is calling for case studies on successful projects that integrate renewable energy with land, water, biodiversity, and communities to break dependence on fossil fuels while protecting and restoring nature globally. Planning for impactful renewables should consider wider landscape context, biodiversity, and input from local communities to minimize environmental impacts. Discussions are ongoing on how to pursue these goals simultaneously on the same land.

    https://news.un.org/en/story/2026/08/1168172

  • Cinergy Mobile Power Debuts Smart, Clean Mobile Energy Solutions for South Africa’s Film and Live Events Industries

    Cinergy Mobile Power is revolutionizing the South African film industry by providing clean, quiet, and cost-effective mobile power solutions that replace diesel generators with solar-hybrid and battery-based platforms. With support from climate-focused venture capital firm Holocene, Cinergy's systems have been successfully used in film productions and off-grid events, reducing emissions and saving production costs. The company's collaboration with Netflix for season two of the One Piece series showcased the practicality and cost-effectiveness of their technology, which is expected to scale climate solutions in Africa by working with local solution providers and utilizing high-performance battery solutions from Freedom Won.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2026/07/11/cinergy-mobile-power-debuts-smart-clean-mobile-energy-solutions-for-south-africas-film-and-live-events-industries/

  • Can giant batteries unlock Africa’s green industrial future?

    Tropical Storm Ana's impact on Malawi's electricity system underscores the importance of grid stability, prompting the construction of a battery energy storage system in the country's capital to enhance reliability and reduce carbon emissions. BESS technology is being recognized as crucial for integrating renewables into Africa's power grid, with South Africa and Egypt leading the way in deploying utility-scale systems. Falling battery prices are driving rapid deployment of energy storage, offering opportunities to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and meet climate goals. Despite challenges like limited awareness and financing concerns, a BESS Consortium is working to de-risk the sector and scale up battery storage projects in African nations.

    https://www.climatechangenews.com/2026/07/01/can-giant-batteries-unlock-africas-green-industrial-future/

  • Powering the Future: Why Energy Justice is a Youth Issue

    The article discusses the barriers young people in South Africa face due to lack of access to affordable electricity, impacting their education, job-seeking, and overall opportunities. The country's reliance on coal-fired power stations leads to air pollution, high electricity costs, and unreliable service. The Free Basic Electricity (FBE) program aims to support vulnerable households but faces challenges in reaching eligible families. The article suggests investing in renewable energy to provide clean, affordable, and reliable power to communities, ultimately benefiting education, employment, public health, and economic opportunity for South Africa's young people. The section emphasizes the importance of ensuring that future generations have access to affordable energy, economic opportunity, and a healthy environment as a right. It highlights the need for action and power to create a better future, rather than just promises. The author calls for building a powerful climate movement with the belief in a safe climate and a better future for all, focusing on creating a just, prosperous, and equitable world through the collective power of ordinary people.

    https://350.org/energy-justice-is-a-youth-issue/

  • Young South Africans take up sustainable agriculture for food security

    Schoolchildren in South Africa are learning about aquaponics, a sustainable method of growing plants and fish in a mutually beneficial water system, to improve food security in a country where many struggle to afford a healthy diet. Non-profit organizations like INMED are training teachers and students on the benefits of aquaponics, with the goal of scaling up this solution to support communities across the country. INMED's aquaponics prototype has already harvested over 5,300 kilogrammes of food and is being integrated into school curriculums in South Africa, Costa Rica, and Lesotho. Empowering young people with agricultural skills like aquaponics is crucial for building climate resilience and driving positive change in the face of climate challenges.

    https://www.climatechangenews.com/2026/06/02/young-south-africans-take-up-sustainable-agriculture-for-food-security/

  • Commercial Electric Fleet Operators In South Africa Prove 27% Cost Advantage — Infrastructure Scales To Meet Demand

    South Africa's electric vehicle market is experiencing significant growth, with commercial fleets showing economic advantages and consumer interest increasing. The recent fuel price shock has strengthened the economic case for electric mobility in the country. Government incentives, such as a 150% tax deduction for investments in zero-emission vehicles, are attracting investment in local manufacturing. Industry leaders emphasize the need for partnerships with global battery suppliers and reforms to tax mechanisms to support zero-emission vehicle adoption. Early adopters in the commercial fleet sector have seen significant cost savings and operational efficiency with electric vehicles compared to diesel equivalents. The shift towards electric and electrified vehicles is evident, with evidence showing significant cost savings for EV drivers compared to petrol equivalents. Additionally, the installation of off-grid solar-powered ultra-fast charging stations is helping to support the growing demand for electric vehicles in the country. The latest generation of 800-volt vehicles in South Africa can handle fast charging and have a range of 800 kilometers. Speakers highlighted the need for policy reforms, incentives, and infrastructure support to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles. Battery manufacturing is seen as a strategic priority for transitioning the automotive industry towards hybrids, battery electrics, and fuel cell electric vehicles. Transformation in dealer networks, service capabilities, and consumer education is also necessary for the industry. Infrastructure investment requires regulatory clarity for grid connection, smart charging standards, and grid integration planning with utilities.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2026/06/02/commercial-electric-fleet-operators-in-south-africa-prove-27-cost-advantage-infrastructure-scales-to-meet-demand/

  • Health risks from climate change spur stronger public support for action, research finds

    A study found that informing people about health risks linked to climate change is more effective in spurring public support for government-led climate action than messages focused on economic or environmental impacts. Over 80% of participants in a survey across Brazil, India, Japan, and South Africa expressed concern about climate change impacts and backed government measures to prevent public health impacts. The World Health Organization stated that humanitarian emergencies are increasing worldwide due to human-caused rising temperatures, with over a third of the global population exposed to climate threats. Communicating these risks to the public can inspire climate action, as health is a universal concern. Despite pledges to strengthen policies to cut carbon emissions and improve health sector resilience to climate impacts, health has not been a top priority at key climate meetings. Different countries had varying reactions to climate change messaging, with South Africans concerned about children's health and food/water insecurity, Brazilians focused on mental health impacts, and Japanese prioritizing extreme heat. In India, air pollution and access to healthcare were top concerns. Respondents across countries supported government action to address health impacts of climate change, with measures like building solar capacity and investing in air-conditioned public buildings being popular. Experts emphasized the urgency of implementing climate action to protect human health, calling for declaring climate change a global health emergency and scaling up climate-health investment. The article section discusses the importance of climate action as a high-return investment for a more just and resilient society. The Wellcome Trust's survey shows that the public supports stronger action on climate change, with a focus on health being an effective way to engage new audiences. The health angle is seen as a fresh approach to climate dialogue, as it is personal, relevant, and depolarizing. While economic messages still have a purpose, health messaging could be a "missing piece" in climate communications, providing a new way to talk about climate change that feels very relevant to people.

    https://www.climatechangenews.com/2026/05/18/health-risks-from-climate-change-spur-stronger-public-support-for-action-research-finds/

  • Women’s leadership is key to unlocking the global phaseout of fossil fuels

    Women around the world, such as Osprey Orielle Lake, Nemonte Nenquimo, and Sharon Lavigne, are leading efforts to stop fossil fuel expansion and implement just transitions. The Fossil Fuel Treaty, founded by Tzeporah Burman, is a key cornerstone for upcoming government convenings on fossil fuel phaseout. Research shows that countries with higher representation of women in parliament are more likely to ratify environmental treaties and see decreased CO2 emissions. Despite persistent gender inequality, women are indispensable leaders in climate solutions, defending land, water, climate, and health. Bold and transformative solutions are needed to address the increasing climate crisis and hold long-term warming below the critical 1.5°C threshold. An all-women team in Cape Town, South Africa is producing high-quality solar panels, highlighting the urgent need for a global phaseout of fossil fuel extraction and production, as fossil fuels are a primary driver of the climate crisis. Despite historic but nonbinding agreements to transition away from fossil fuels at the U.N. Climate Summit, implementation has been hindered. In response to stalled progress, Colombia and the Netherlands are convening the First Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels to advance cooperation towards a managed phaseout, recognizing women's leadership as vital in ensuring a healthy and equitable outcome in transitioning away from fossil fuels.

    https://www.climatechangenews.com/2026/03/08/womens-leadership-is-central-to-unlocking-the-global-phaseout-of-fossil-fuels/

  • South African rare earths project aims to rival Chinese with low-cost model

    A rare earths mining project in South Africa, the Zandkopsdrift project, aims to challenge China's dominance in global supply chains by producing magnet rare earths and battery-grade manganese for clean energy technologies at a lower cost. The project aligns with South Africa's goal to become a key supplier of critical minerals for the clean energy transition, focusing on responsible mining practices and meeting higher standards through the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance. While promising, the untested processing route and concerns over past environmental abuses have left some locals wary of who will truly benefit from the economic promises of the project. Steps such as water-recycling systems, local procurement targets, and involving local communities in ownership are being taken to address these concerns and ensure a sustainable and responsible approach to mining critical minerals for clean energy solutions.

    https://www.climatechangenews.com/2026/03/06/south-african-rare-earths-project-aims-to-rival-chinese-with-low-cost-model/