sustainable development

The United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP15) will be held from 7-18 December 2009 at the Bella Centre in Copenhagen. 

COP15 - the official title of the conference - refers to the 15th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

The Sustainable Water Resource Handbook is the definitive source of relevant information for all industry players from government, water utilities and supply organisations, water research and technology institutions, NGOs, the top 100 water and related companies in Southern Africa, tertiary education institutions, university libraries and various other relevant stakeholder companies and organisations.

With less than 300 days to go until the start of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Development and Dreams: The Urban Legacy of the 2010 Football World Cup considers the effects of South Africa’s hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The contributors to this volume, both academics and development practitioners, provide an interdisciplinary perspective on the probable consequences of the 2010 Football World Cup for the economy of South Africa and its cities, on infrastructure development, and on the projection of African culture and identity.

The Environment & Conservation Association (ECA) has expressed concern about the “litany of mistakes” that led to the development of the Pan African Parliament on a wetland in Midrand.

ECA chairperson, Nicole Barlow, says that, “A simple look at C-plan 2 and a Google Earth shot would've told any first year student that there was seepage wetland covering most of the site upon wherethey intended to build the parliament.”

China has expressed interest in sharing its electricity generation technology and expertise with South Africa and its neighbours, all of which are in need of more generating capacity.

China Electricity Council International’s (CEC), Liu Dongye, says that the country is offering its world-class technology and equipment which it believes will go a long way in meeting South Africa’s requirement of 55000MW of electricity capacity by 2025 to satisfy its economic and social development needs.

The Centre for Applied Legal Studies (CALS) and the Legal Resources Centre (LRC), in support of the government, have applied for permission to assist a World Bank tribunal in a legal challenge to the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Act.

Climate Change, Development and Energy Problems in South Africa: Another World is Possible is a report that outlines the impact that can be expected of climate change to both natural environments and human populations. While no one knows what the localised impacts will be, for example exactly what rainfall changes to expect in Colesberg or Tzaneen, we do have a good sense of the broader general trends.