Newsletters Thursday...
Philip Costa
Climate Home News
When remote Indian villagers fire up their stoves to cook fresh rotis, they could hardly imagine that action would one day contribute to the climate plans of top polluters like Shell.
But that's the premise of an increasingly popular sub-set of carbon credits involving the distribution of supposedly more efficient cookstoves, which we investigated.
The theory goes like this: getting rural communities to swap out their traditional energy-hungry stoves with new ones consuming less firewood should reduce emissions.
But, as with most offsetting schemes, the devil is in the detail. Our investigation found that lax rules allow project developers to come up with vastly overinflated numbers.
The result is that as much as 87% of the credits generated are likely bogus, according to researchers.
It's a bit of a problem when they are used to offset the very real emissions associated with pumping oil and gas out of the ground.
This week's news
- Ecuadorians reject Amazon oil drilling in historic referendum
- Germany set to miss net zero by 2045 target as climate efforts falter
- EU puts Maroš Šefčovič in charge of climate policy
- US aims to limit loss and damage fund
- Soy, beef and gold gangsters: Why Bolivia and Venezuela won’t protect the Amazon
- Nature fund launched but still needs $40m by December to get going
- Cooking the books: cookstove offsets produce millions of fake emission cuts
A tale of two Amazons
In a first-of-its-kind referendum, Ecuadorians rejected oil drilling in an area of the Amazon rainforest particularly rich in biodiversity.
It's a big victory for indigenous groups behind a 10-year-long campaign and a blow to the outgoing government that had painted a picture of economic devastation as a result of stopping oil extraction. Over 60% of voters said that, on this occasion, nature protection comes first.
It's a very different story in fellow Amazon nations Bolivia and Venezuela.
The two countries reportedly sunk a flagship pledge to protect the rainforest at this month's summit in Belem.
The reason is quite straightforward, as we found out. Bolivia and Venezuela get much-needed cash from large-scale farming and gold mining respectively, and if large chunks of the forest get chopped down in the process, so be it.
How effective is the EU Green Taxonomy in driving sustainable finance among Europe's largest companies? A new whitepaper by Jane Thostrup Jagd, Director of Net Zero Finance at We Mean Business Coalition highlights both positive engagement and areas for improvement.
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Click on the image to read this article. SA President Cyril Ramaphosa was on hand to welcome his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping to South Africa ahead of the BRICS Summit. Credit: South African Government News
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How can South Africa manage its energy demand without losing grid stability? There is no simple answer, but instead a mandate to maintain a balance among affordability, reliability and sustainability: the Energy Trilemma.
BRICS: South Africa look to deepen energy cooperation with China
China has donated emergency power equipment worth R167 million and availed a R500 million development assistance grant to South Africa.
Nigeria: Solar energy to help connect rural areas to cellphone networks
More than 100 solar-powered rural telecommunications base stations are to be installed across Nigeria.
Kenya pushing to set up its first national e-mobility policy
The Kenyan government has put together a 15-member team tasked with setting up an e-mobility policy to inform the country’s transport sector going forward.
Enlit Africa 2024 Sponsorship and Exhibition Brochure
Here's your copy, full to the brim with everything you need to know about how to sponsor or exhibit at Africa’s most influential power, energy and water conference and exhibition.
The Energy Crisis: A municipal response – Part 2
South Africa’s energy crisis is having a profound impact on municipalities. Revenue collection value chains may be the missing middle.
Energy Sector Women’s Leadership Initiative to address the gender gap
Power Africa established the Energy Sector Women’s Leadership Initiative to address the shortage of women leaders in the industry.
Simona Spagna from Union Energy on market developments
Simona Spagna spoke with ESI Africa about industry opportunities and the private sector's role in Africa's energy transition.
Find out all about the choice upcoming events in the energy industry
20-21 September 2023 | Southern African Energy Efficiency Confederation (SAEEC) | Johannesburg, Gauteng
Come and explore energy efficiency in sustainability and development goals.
1-3 October 2023 | Smarter Mobility Africa Summit | CSIR, Tshwane, South Africa
Join us as Smarter Mobility Africa summit returns to a full scale physical event during African Mobility Month and October Transport Month.
3-5 October 2023 | Windaba | CTICC, Cape Town
Register to attend Africa's premier wind energy conference and exhibition.
4-6 October 2023 | ESG Africa Conference | Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg
Secure your seat at this 2023 ESG conference under the theme, ‘Sustainable Future Through Leadership’.
24-26 October 2023 | Africa PPP Summit | Casablanca, Morocco
Attend the longest-running infrastructure investment strategic summit.
24-27 October 2023 | CIGRE Southern Africa | CSIR, Pretoria
Attend this regional biennial discussion forum and exhibition.
14-15 November 2023 | Conscious Brands & Circular Economy Summit | CSIR, Tshwane, South Africa
Register to attend a summit that promotes the adoption of circular economy practices within Africa’s business landscape.
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Ed's note: SAREM, ambitious but realistic
South Africa is poised to industrialise new markets through SAREM, and during a conversation with the masterplan’s facilitator, a few things came to light.
Joining me on a virtual call last week, the South African Renewable Energy Masterplan (SAREM) facilitator, Gaylor Montmasson-Clair, declared the document ambitious but realistic. My first port of call was establishing SAREM’s position alongside the country’s various policies, such as the National Integrated Energy Plan.
The response is clear: this is not an energy policy, but rather a social compact that will represent everyone.
Loadshedding: Public institutions will get power supply systems, generators
Hundreds of South African clinics, hospitals and police stations are set to receive generators, power supply vehicles and off-grid PV energy storage supply systems.
Kenya: 1.6 million people get improved electricity access
The second phase of the Last Mile Connectivity Project has helped improve access to electricity for at least 1.6 million people in Kenya.
Ghana: Stakeholders engage on energy transition and investment plan
Consultations on the much-anticipated energy transition and investment plan for Ghana took place in Accra recently.
Enlit Africa 2024 Sponsorship and Exhibition Brochure
Newly launched brochure full to the brim with everything you need to know about how to sponsor or exhibit at Africa’s most influential power, energy and water conference and exhibition.
Tender: Procurement of 1,100 solar PV systems in The Gambia
SESCO invites sealed bids for the procurement of up to 1,100 solar PV energy systems for healthcare facilities and schools in The Gambia. DEADLINE: 31 October 2023
Cape Town: Renewable energy solutions provider seeks Permitting Specialist
A renewable energy solutions provider seeks a Permitting Specialist in Cape Town, South Africa. DEADLINE: 8 September 2023
Felix Gall from Zera on market developments
Felix Gall spoke with ESI Africa on industry opportunities and the role the private sector can play in Africa's energy transition.
CLICK HERE for the full listing of upcoming industry events
20-21 September 2023 | Southern African Energy Efficiency Confederation (SAEEC) | Johannesburg, Gauteng
Come and explore energy efficiency in sustainability and development goals.
1-3 October 2023 | Smarter Mobility Africa Summit | CSIR, Tshwane, South Africa
Join us as Smarter Mobility Africa summit returns to a full scale physical event during African Mobility Month and October Transport Month.
3-5 October 2023 | Windaba | CTICC, Cape Town
Register to attend Africa's premier wind energy conference and exhibition.
4-6 October 2023 | ESG Africa Conference | Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg
Secure your seat at this 2023 ESG conference under the theme: Sustainable Future Through Leadership.
24-26 October 2023 | Africa PPP Summit | Casablanca, Morocco
Attend the longest-running infrastructure investment strategic summit.
24-27 October 2023 | CIGRE Southern Africa | CSIR, Pretoria
Attend this regional biennial discussion forum and exhibition.
14-15 November 2023 | Conscious Brands & Circular Economy Summit | CSIR, Tshwane, South Africa
Register to attend a summit that promotes the adoption of circular economy practices within Africa’s business landscape.
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Click on the image to read the full article. The installation of the foundation template for the Phezukomoya Wind Energy Facility.
Kenya: Energy officials to face national assembly following blackout
In the wake of a blackout that hit Kenya over the weekend, two senior energy officials have been summoned to appear before the national assembly.
Sierra Leone: Generator plants, solar mini-grids crucial to energy plan
Solar mini-grids are providing rural communities in Sierra Leone with 3kW per hour for each household.
South Africa: Additional safety measures necessary for the refurbishment of Koeberg
The renewal of Koeberg power station’s long-term operation license has been delayed as the nuclear regulator requires further safety improvements.
All caught up? Get the latest news headlines here!
Op-ed: Tackling three scopes of carbon emissions in e-mobility
In this opinion editorial, John Msingo explains how electric vehicle partners can tackle the three scopes of carbon emissions in the e-mobility space.
Cheaper renewables, climate change to curb Africa’s hydropower growth
The attractiveness of new hydropower is decreasing fast due, in part, to the increasingly uncertain effects of climate change on river flows.
Adopting a collective effort to address South Africa's energy crisis
Devan Pillay, President of the Anglophone Africa cluster at Schneider Electric, speaks on the importance of working together to find solutions to address supply and demand-side issues in South Africa.
Find out all about the choice upcoming events in the energy industry
20-21 September 2023 | Southern African Energy Efficiency Confederation (SAEEC) | Johannesburg, Gauteng
Come and explore energy efficiency in sustainability and development goals.
28 September 2023 | WEBINAR: How South Africa can balance demand and grid stability
Explore how gas-to-power can meet South Africa’s growing energy needs without compromising grid stability.
1-3 October 2023 | Smarter Mobility Africa Summit | CSIR, Tshwane, South Africa
Join us as Smarter Mobility Africa summit returns to a full-scale physical event during African Mobility Month and October Transport Month.
3-5 October 2023 | Windaba | CTICC, Cape Town
Register to attend Africa's premier wind energy conference and exhibition.
4-6 October 2023 | ESG Africa Conference | Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg
Secure your seat at this 2023 ESG conference under the theme, ‘Sustainable Future Through Leadership’.
24-26 October 2023 | Africa PPP Summit | Casablanca, Morocco
Attend the longest-running infra-investment strategic summit.
24-27 October 2023 | CIGRE Southern Africa | CSIR, Pretoria
Attend this regional biennial discussion forum and exhibition.
14-15 November 2023 | Conscious Brands & Circular Economy Summit | CSIR, Tshwane, South Africa
Register to attend a summit that promotes the adoption of circular economy practices within Africa’s business landscape.
Do you know of a friend or colleague that will enjoy this content?
VUKA Group, Ground Floor, Ebden House, Belmont Park, Rondebosch, Western Cape 7700, South Africa
VUKA Group, Ground Floor, Ebden House, Belmont Park, Rondebosch, Western Cape 7700, South Africa