Eco Minute 13:30

BULLETIN 23 October 1:30 pm

Good afternoon, here is your Eco Minute:

# ActionSA in Gauteng says the recent report that only 39-percent of the 39 municipal-owned pollution-monitoring stations in the province are fully operational is deeply alarming. The operational stations measure a range of pollutants: six monitor ozone, seven nitrogen dioxide, four carbon monoxide, ten coarse particulate matter, five fine particulate matter and 12 sulphur dioxide. ActionSA’s Zwelithini Mtshali says without functioning monitoring stations, authorities cannot issue timely warnings or assess compliance with air quality standards:

# Renewable energy company Seriti Green has welcomed the updated Integrated Resource Plan 2025, saying it’s a great step forward. The IRP envisages some 2.2-trillion-rand of new investment into the energy sector. This will see wind power increase from eight-percent of installed generation capacity to 24-percent by 2039. Coal will remain the chief source of power at 27-percent of South Africa’s capacity. Seriti Green’s CEO, Peter Venn, says with wind projects taking nine years to put on the grid, government must allow these projects to get off the ground more quickly.

# And finally: The Nelson Mandela University received the Best Water Management Sustainability Award at the Higher Education Facilities Management Association of Southern Africa’s recent annual conference and awards event. The university was recognised as the top-performing institution nationally for its innovative and impactful approach to sustainable water management. NMU says this prestigious accolade emphasises the institution’s ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship, resource efficiency, and advancing sustainable practice.

Stay tuned for more news………….