Eco Minute 13:30

BULLETIN 26 June 1:30 pm

Good afternoon, here is your Eco Minute:

# South Africa’s energy transition is entering a critical phase, and there is a narrow window for action, which includes moving fast on renewables and gas infrastructure. This is according to the 2025 Energy Market Projections report by Cresco, Standard Bank Corporate and Investment Banking. The report questions whether South Africa can support the six gigawatt of new gas capacity needed by 2030 and ten gigawatt by 2040. Standard Bank’s Rentia van Tonder says investors and policymakers must act decisively to preserve the country’s energy stability and climate credibility.

# The University of the Witwatersrand has mapped out the best locations for global reforestation. The research identifies areas where reforestation efforts can benefit both people and ecosystems. It aims to provide critical data to guide reforestation projects and avoid unintended environmental harm. Speaking to eNCA, programme lead Sally Archibald warned that planting trees in the wrong areas can negatively impact communities and biodiversity:

# And finally: The UK-based charity The Donkey Sanctuary says almost six-million donkeys are slaughtered annually for Chinese medicine, with severe knock-on effects for African villagers who rely on the animals. It is driven by an increase in China’s production of a product marketed as a health supplement that uses collagen from donkey skins. China, whose donkey population has plummeted from 11-million in 1992 to 1.5-million in 2023, has turned to Africa to meet its demand. With donkey populations falling, the African Union issued a 15-year moratorium on donkey slaughter last year.

Stay tuned for more news………….