Eco Minute 13:30

BULLETIN 27 June 1:30 pm

Good afternoon, here is your Eco Minute:

# Environmental organisations have expressed concern at government’s renewed interest in gas-to-power projects in the draft Integrated Resource Plan. They are warning the proposed addition of up to 19-gigawatts of gas capacity may risk locking the country into long-term fossil fuel dependency, while potentially driving up energy costs, and worsening inequality. Green Connection says they are demanding transparent modelling, full public participation, and a plan that delivers affordable, climate-safe energy to all South Africans.

# A total of 92-percent of surveyed Johannesburg residents have expressed concern about air pollution, and 78-percent believe it negatively affects their health. This is according to new data from the metro’s Environment and Infrastructure Services Department, in collaboration with Breathe Cities and the Clean Air Fund. The metro’s spokesperson, Virgil James, says the survey confirmed fossil fuel combustion, vehicle emissions and waste burning as the primary contributors to poor air quality across all demographic groups:

# And finally: The World Bank Group and the International Atomic Energy Agency have signed an agreement to work together to support the safe, secure and responsible use of nuclear energy in developing countries. Thirty-one countries currently operate nuclear power plants, which combined produce about nine-percent of the world’s electricity, amounting to almost a quarter of all low-carbon power globally. World Bank president Ajay Banga says nuclear energy provides continuous baseload power, enhancing grid stability and resilience:

Stay tuned for more news………….