Eco Minute 13:30

BULLETIN 27 March 1:30 pm

Good afternoon, here is your Eco Minute:

# Members of the Climate Justice Coalition, including the general industries union, Giwusa, are criticising the Draft Integrated Resource Plan for overlooking critical energy challenges. The plan has been accused of failing to address issues such as load-shedding, energy poverty, and climate change. They argue the plan’s reliance on coal, gas, methane, and nuclear power is unsustainable and does not align with the country’s commitments to decarbonisation. Giwusa’s Ferron Pedro calls for a more inclusive and sustainable approach to energy planning:

# The Tshwane University of Technology’s solar electric vehicle project has received international recognition for its contribution to renewable energy, and research on efficient transportation for the future. As part of an existing partnership between TUT and the UK’s University of Southampton, the project has received a grant of 1.1-million-rand. TUT lecturer Christiaan Oosthuizen says the previous grant they received contributed largely to the current SunChaser 4 prototype vehicle and the development of the new vehicle, which would be the first multi-seater solar-powered electric vehicle in Africa.

# And finally: Non-profit organisation Beyond Fossil Fuels says Europe’s expansion of fossil gas is accelerating climate breakdown. According to an analysis by the organisation, just four of Europe’s gas-fired power plants have a retirement plan, and new projects will increase the continent’s gas generation capacity by 27-percent. Last year, Italy, the UK and Germany agreed to fully or predominantly decarbonise their power sectors by 2035. Beyond Fossil Fuels’ Alexandru Mustață says governments must send a clear message to the gas industry that its days are numbered.

Stay tuned for more news………….