Eco Minute 13:30

BULLETIN 7 May 1:30 pm

Good afternoon, here is your Eco Minute:

# The Loskop Dam Nature Reserve in Mpumalanga has embarked on a pioneering rewilding project, aimed at reviving lost species and crafting an ecotourism haven. The project is spearheaded by the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency and the Aspinall Foundation. The project will unlock at least 120-million-rand of funding for the reserve and the surrounding areas. The foundation’s Dereck Milburn says they decided to jump on the opportunity and help unlock the area’s conservation and economic potential.

# The Presidential Climate Commission’s initial direct cost of placing South Africa on an energy transition pathway over the coming five years is at 1.5-trillion-rand. This is part of the Just Energy Transition Investment Plan. The commission has used a macro-economic simulation model to capture the socio-economic and energy implications for South Africa. The commission’s Steve Nicholls says the model shows the country fairing best from a growth and employment perspective under a scenario where it implements net-zero policies.

# And, Water and Sanitation minister, Senzo Mchunu, has expressed optimism on the work carried out in KwaXimba in the eThekwini Metro in KwaZulu-Natal to address water supply challenges. This follows the minister’s commitment in February to fast-track the implementation of bulk water projects that are mainly implemented by uMngeni-uThukela Water. Mchunu says his department will not hesitate to take stringent measures to address the criminality of infrastructure vandalism on water security.

Stay tuned for more news………….