Archive: Fossil fuels


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.

Explainer Aerial view of World's End, Blyde River Canyon

South Africa is experiencing a number of environmental issues, including global warming, pollution and species loss.

News & Analysis Close-up of petrol pumps dispending Shell fuel. A white person's right arm in a purple sleeve is holding the pump on the left.

South Africans have welcomed another month of much-needed relief at the petrol pump. But, the diesel price per litre is reversing the trend and has become more expensive. Why?

Explainer Stock photo of a green plant growing out of a jar of money, to symbolise renewable energy funds

Renewable energy funds are a vital tool for South Africa’s green energy transition. They can pay for everything from infrastructure upgrades to mine rehabilitation.

Explainer Electricity pylons at sunset

Energy is essential for the functioning of any modern economy. South Africa’s Central Energy Fund (CEF) does the vital job of maintaining that energy supply.

Explainer

Since 2003, the South African government has been funding free electricity for the poorest households. This is because it recognises that poverty is a barrier to electricity access.

Explainer Photograph of a small green plant growing out of a jar of coins

COP26 saw South Africa make a public commitment to greening its economy. But, can non-renewable resources be part of this transition?

Explainer Deep red sky with sun and clouds

Global warming is making extreme events, such as heatwaves, droughts, wildfires, floods and tropical storms, more frequent and severe.

Explainer Aerial photo showing the houses and mountains of coastal Cape Town

Climate change risks life as we know it, but bold and inclusive solutions can help build a safer and fairer world.

Explainer Wind turbine on a landscape of grass and trees

Our fossil fuel energy system comes at a massive cost. Climate change is causing extreme temperatures, drought and catastrophic flooding.

Explainer Electricity pylons against landscape

Coal’s dominance in South Africa’s electricity mix – totalling 90 per cent of electricity generation – means the rising price of coal is making bills more expensive.

Explainer Decommissioned power stations in Cape Town

South Africa’s Low Emission Development Strategy 2050 is the country’s most recent emissions reductions plan.

Explainer Photo of a gas turbine power plant

South Africa’s Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) is the country’s long-term energy plan until 2030. It became official government policy in October 2019.

Explainer Lorry body containing compressed methane

Hydrogen is a fuel source that is a possible alternative to fossil fuels. It can be used in fuel cells and to create heat, and its only by-product is water, meaning it does not release any greenhouse gases when burned.

Explainer Gas carriers transporting gas.

Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is the gaseous form of two kinds of natural gases: butane and propane. It can also be a mix of the two gases. Butane and propane are similar but have different properties, making them suitable for different things.

Explainer The tallest building in Africa, The Leonardo. Based in Sandton, South Africa

A carbon footprint is the number of greenhouse gases emitted through a person, business or even a country’s activities. These greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide and methane.

Explainer Bulldozer pushing Indonesian coal at coal mine

A carbon tax is a fee paid to the government by carbon dioxide (or carbon dioxide equivalent) emitters for every tonne of carbon emitted.