5 minute read
The road to net-zero
by 3S Media
The International Energy Agency (IEA) recently released a report detailing a way forward for countries looking to achieve netzero emissions by 2050. However, the recommended path ahead is a tough one for South Africa to follow, considering its heavy reliance on coal.
Lethabo Manamela, interim CEO, South African National Energy Development Institute A s the world prepares for the 2021 UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) taking place in Glasgow, Scotland, in November 2021, South Africa – as an IEA associate country – must focus its efforts on tangible solutions for emissions reductions.
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“Given the current South African coaldominated electricity generation context, the IEA milestone targets will prove a lot more difficult to achieve than most other countries,” says Lethabo Manamela, interim CEO of the South African National Energy Development Institute (Sanedi). Among others, the report, Net Zero by 2050: A Roadmap for the Global Energy Sector, recommends that by 2030 all subcritical coal-fired power plants must be phased out; by 2050, global coal use must be 90% lower than in 2020.
A just transition
However, Manamela adds that there is reason for hope. “Recent signals from the president, together with the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, other government ministries, Eskom and the private sector show a clear commitment by all the major decision-makers to achieve this target.” She adds that this, however, must take place within a just energy transition (JET) framework, which appears to be gaining a lot of momentum in the country and is sure to be a big focus of COP26.
The JET is crucial for South Africa’s sustainable and inclusive move towards cleaner energy practices. In this regard, last year saw the formation of the Presidential Climate Commission, which is mandated to coordinate and oversee the transition towards a low-carbon economy and society that considers South Africa’s unique socioeconomic landscape.
“The socio-economic situation in South Africa brings with it both a number of challenges, but also a lot of opportunities. That is why the emphasis placed on JET in South Africa is so important. The ‘new’ opportunities brought about by a transition to newer, more modern and clean technologies provide with them the opportunity to introduce many more innovative skills into the economy, which will go a long way in reducing the high unemployment levels, especially among the youth, and it can potentially get the economy moving in the right direction,” says Manamela. She adds that South Africa has many ‘good news’ initiatives in place to report on at COP26.
Carbon tax and hydrogen economy shift
For example, Phase 2 of the Carbon Tax, due for implementation in the beginning of 2023, will see a radically different carbon pricing regime that will accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy. Added to that, there is the envisaged growth in the hydrogen economy, which, if successful, could see a major shift in the local energy landscape in the medium term.
In addition, Sanedi has been involved in the implementation of the recently gazetted regulations on Energy Performance Certificates for buildings, which will see building owners prioritising their energy efficiency initiatives in the coming years. Finally, President Ramaphosa’s increase in the licence threshold for people to generate power from 1 MW to 100 MW is another step in the right direction.
“While the road to net-zero is sure to be a challenge for South Africa, we are up for this challenge. With many initiatives already in place, there is reason for hope as we work together to combat climate change. Sanedi looks forward to continuing its work in transforming our local energy sector to one that is sustainable, reliable and economically inclusive,” Manamela concludes.
CREATING ABSOLUTE CUSTOMER CONFIDENCE IN THE PLASTIC PIPE INDUSTRY
The Southern African Plastic Pipe Manufacturers Association (SAPPMA) is a voluntary, self-regulating association incorporated under Section 21 as a company not for gain, which was launched in 2004 to represent the interests of the well-developed plastic pipe business in South Africa and surrounding countries.
Pipes produced by member companies carry the registered SAPPMA logo for clear identifi cation. SAPPMA members are allowed to use the association’s logo on their products only after they have been able to successfully demonstrate that their plastic pipes and fi ttings comply with the association’s quality and manufacturing requirements and that they are fully compliant with all relevant local and international standards and specifi cations. This includes: • Ensuring they are ISO 9001:2015 quality management system compliant (or alternatively, they have passed a SAPPMA systems audit) and as such strive towards successful maintenance and improvement of these systems. • Agreeing to be independently audited on a regular basis (announced or unannounced), including sampling and testing of products. • Conforming to additional SAPPMA ‘Minimum
Standards’ to further differentiate members from non-members.
THE SAPPMA MARK: A GUARANTEE OF QUALITY
The purpose of SAPPMA is to create consumer confi dence within the plastic pipe industry and to promote the production and the use of high quality plastic pipes and pipe systems. SAPPMA members contribute towards the long term well-being of the plastic pipe industry by way of research, technical discussion, analysis and problemsolving. Being a non-profi t organisation, it is solely aimed at protecting the customer and the infrastructure of the country.
All SAPPMA members are committed to a strict Code of Conduct whereby they agree to comply with various requirements for national product standards, internal standards and pay due regard to trade mark, copyright, patent ownership and all other intellectual property in order to maintain the industry body’s highest ethical standards.
By signing SAPPMA’s Code of Conduct, members undertake not to supply counterfeit products, refrain from negative marketing and any form of corruption with customers, suppliers, competitors, legal authorities and any other persons, desist from any anticompetitive behaviour (including the fi xing of prices or other trading conditions), the division of markets through the allocation of customers, suppliers, territories or types of goods, or collusive tendering.
IT’S WHAT’S ON THE INSIDE THAT COUNTS
SAPPMA members only use virgin grade approved polymers and in terms of the relevant product standards no third party regrind PE-HD material. They do not use any fi llers, nor heavy metal additives in the production of PVC pipe.
PLEASE SUPPORT THE FOLLOWING SAPPMA MEMBERS WITH CONFIDENCE:
