Archive: Fossil fuels


News & Analysis Offshore oil rig

A new report warns of trillions in oil and gas revenues at risk by 2040, with demand set to fall globally in favour of cheaper renewables.

News & Analysis Field of solar panels

Accelerating renewables in line with the 1.5°C pathway would safeguard global GDP, inflation and jobs in the event of an oil and gas price shock.

News & Analysis

Generating electricity from fossil fuels has a hidden cost: South Africa’s already scarce supply of fresh water.

Explainer Coal mining operations and machinery, Lesotho

Even using the cleanest technology available, coal’s severe environmental, health and climate consequences remain unavoidable.

News & Analysis Smog over Cape Town cityscape

South Africa’s heavy coal dependence is driving a climate and health crisis — tackling both together will reap huge benefits for people and the economy.

News & Analysis

“The era of global boiling has arrived”, said UN chief António Guterres, and leaders must take drastic and immediate action to limit climate catastrophe.

News & Analysis Gas plant facility

Strategy documents from one of the world’s largest fossil gas lobby reveal the industry’s campaigns to lock in fossil gas and stall progression to net zero worldwide. Analysis of the documents, published by the think tank InfluenceMap, shows the International Gas Union (IGU) has sought to redefine the role of gas in the face of growing […]

News & Analysis

The three gas-to-power ships will “cost South Africa billions of rand and be loaded onto your electricity bill”, argues OUTA.

News & Analysis Aerial view of ship in channel

EU demand for coal imports is set to plummet by 2030, to be replaced by critical minerals and technologies for the clean energy transition.

News & Analysis Wind farm, Spain

The EU is firmly on its clean energy transition, with renewables and green technologies at the front and centre of new economic partnerships.

News & Analysis Power transmission lines

The law to allow an Integrated Energy Plan (IEP) will come into operation in April 2024, raising questions on the further 12 months of delay.

News & Analysis Eskom's Kusile coal power station

Eskom’s plan to temporarily bypass sulphur dioxide controls at Kusile coal power plant poses a deadly health risk to local communities.

News & Analysis Industrial plant

Spain is investing in South Africa’s green transition to develop renewable energy, electric vehicles and water projects.

News & Analysis Wildfire on mountain

Halving emissions this decade is crucial, yet relying on coal and gas will add fuel to the fire of climate change.

News & Analysis

A new climate justice documentary follows activists across Southern Africa fighting against the fossil fuel giants that threaten their communities.

News & Analysis Air pollution emitting from coal fired power plant

The Pretoria High Court has granted leave to appeal the Deadly Air judgement regarding toxic air pollution in the Highveld Priority Area.

News & Analysis Aerial photo of coal power plant

New analysis reveals how industry lobbying is successfully obstructing progress to net zero and the associated socio-economic benefits.

Explainer Close up of the front of a vintage car, roughly mid 20th century. It is red and cream coloured and a bit rusty.

Unfortunately, compressed natural gas is not actually a green alternative fuel. CNG-powered vehicles are just as bad for the environment as their petrol or diesel counterparts.

Explainer Photograph of a gas meter that measures consumption in cubic metres. A white person's right hand is touching the meter at the point where the numbers are going up, perhaps to convey the idea that the person is worried about their gas consumption. There is a thick layer of dust on the meter.

The place of natural gas in a clean energy future is hotly debated. But, there is a simple answer to whether natural gas is renewable.

Explainer Wicker basket containing celery, tomatoes, sweet potato, courgettes, carrots and citrus fruit. Butternut squash just out of shot. Everything looks fresh.

Food prices are affected by overall price inflation, but they are also an inflation driver in their own right.