Archive: Greenhouse gases


News & Analysis Electricity pylons

The programme is the largest on the African continent for the procurement of renewable energy and resource efficiency for public facilities.

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 South Africa floods wash away roads and buildings

Amid the spiralling impacts of climate change, South Africa has declared a national state of disaster as the country suffers more deadly floods.

Explainer Livestock drink from water source

Climate change is impacting agriculture, farmers’ livelihoods and the price of our food. Action is essential to safeguard food security.

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 City road with buildings and cars

Compressed natural gas (CNG) is promoted as a cleaner fuel alternative, but also comes with risks to the climate and health.

Explainer Floating icons of official national flags of the world

The Kyoto Protocol made history in 1997 as the first major international effort to slow climate change.

Explainer Row of electric vehicles and charging point

Electric vehicles are becoming increasingly popular. Here are the upfront and ongoing costs to expect if you make the shift.

Explainer

Analysts agree that natural gas is too risky for South Africa, and it is not needed for the energy transition from coal to clean.

Explainer Aerial photograph of an electric vehicle driving on a one-track road with fields either side and a farmhouse or barn in the distance.

Running an electric car saves money long term, and it also means being less vulnerable to temporary price spikes and shortages of petrol and diesel.

News & Analysis Wide shot of generic coal power station spewing toxic chemicals into the air

Mpumalanga province is not typically known for wind and solar generation, but there are major advantages to encroaching on coal country.

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 Photo of Gwede Mantaste, Soutb Africa's Minister for the Department Minerals and Energy Resources

The mission of the Department of Energy is to “regulate and transform the sector for the provision of secure, sustainable and affordable energy”.

Explainer Field of wheat crop in front of mountain

Agriculture is both a victim and culprit of climate change. The sector is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions and is acutely vulnerable to the effects of climate change.

Explainer Photograph of an intricately patterned glass dome, taken from underneath

The main greenhouse gas is carbon dioxide (CO2), produced by burning fossil fuels. South Africa is the biggest emitter of greenhouse gases on the African continent.

Explainer Young crops growing from soil in a field

Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a greenhouse gas (GHG), more commonly known as laughing gas. While N2O rarely makes headlines, it is a dangerous driver of climate change.

Explainer Offshore oil rig at dusk

South Africa is no stranger to companies wanting to use offshore drilling to search its coastal waters for oil and gas deposits.

Explainer Various glass tubes and bottles with liquids

Transportation has a significant impact on climate change, and biofuel could be one of the solutions.