Dear
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 With winter already upon us and the FIFA World Cup just up ahead, energy consumption in South Africa is going to be on the increase. With only a 10% reserve margin in place at Eskom, energy supply over the next few months is a big concern for the country. Eskom reassures us that supply is guaranteed but if just one part of their plan goes wrong, we could face energy supply shortages. Government, businesses and individuals can all play their part in reducing their energy consumption, especially with the new rebate energy saving incentives from the Department of Energy. Energy efficiency measures are now easily accessible and most can be implemented quickly with short payback periods leading to financial, carbon and energy savings.
Happy reading! |
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You Save More (Energy) with Clicks |
 Clicks Group Limited, one of GCX’s most committed and progressive clients is at the forefront of carbon and energy management in South Africa. Aware of the future risks of inaction, Clicks consulted with GCX to help them design the most effective Climate Change Response strategy for the group
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GCX on Sustainable Business in the US |
 Paris Arey, President of GCX USA, presents part 1 of a 6 part series on the
rising importance of sustainability in the US. In part 1 he discusses the influence of employees and customers on a business. Although SA is a developing nation, as employees and customers we share the global attitudes and desires of developed nations. |
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Upcoming courses |
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South Africa news |
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 Plettenberg Bay, Knysna, George and Mossel Bay already face the harsh reality of water shortages daily. South Africa is a water scarce country with only half the average rainfall of the rest of the world. In order to avoid severe water shortages, innovative water solutions are needed. Desalination is one of many possible solutions, but conserving the water we do have is just as important. |
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 R5.3 billion has been allocated as a financial incentive to encourage energy savings, announced by The Department of Energy last week. Electricity consumers could then claim a rebate for the amount of electricity that they had saved. GCX can help you measure and reduce your energy consumption in order to benefit from these savings. Contact us if you would like to know how. |
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 The BASIC bloc; Brazil, South Africa, India and China , have said that a global climate change agreement to limit carbon emissions needed to be completed by latest 2011. It’s vital that industrialised and developing nations take up new commitments beyond 2012, in order to lessen the impacts of climate change globally. |
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 Mike Goldblatt outlines the carbon pricing options, tax or trade, that are available to South Africa in light of our conditional commitment at Copenhagen to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 34% by 2020 and 42% by 2025. He describes the differences between the 2 options, as well as the implications of each for the economy. |
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 200 000 solar geysers are to be installed nationwide by the end of the governments’ current fiscal year. President Jacob Zuma formally launched the project on April 28, when 7000 units were installed in Winterveldt. Energy Minister Dipuo Peters believes that by next year, the solar water heater technology would have been localised, thereby reducing the need for imports and stimulating the local economy. |
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International |
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 The eruption of Iceland’s unpronounceable volcano recently had many various impacts, good and bad, that were felt all around the world. Alternatives to air travel were very quickly found, which makes us wonder why we feel we need to fly so much. One study, that was for the first time ever made possible by the empty skies, led to the conclusion that airports are a significant contributor to pollution. |
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 The world’s third largest hydro-electric dam will be built in the Amazon rainforest, despite the possibly catastrophic consequences for the environment. The project is due to start producing electricity in 2015, but the benefits of the hydro-power don’t outweigh the costs of damage to a sensitive eco-system and the displacement of 20 000 local people. |
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 Currently the world is heading towards a potential 3 degrees or higher warming by 2100, instead of the globally agreed 2 degrees that would avoid runaway climate change. Carbon targets currently in place will not limit warming to 2 degrees and major efforts to curb carbon emissions are needed from our world leaders. |
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 Recent macroeconomic analysis done in the US around green economic policies has found that cutting carbon emissions will actually make the economy grow faster. The Centre for Climate Strategies (CCS) finds that household wealth and job creation grows faster in a green economy, while cutting carbon emissions. |
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5 lessons from Wal-Mart’s supply chain Work in China |
 The GHG Protocol will be releasing the GHG Protocol Guidance on ‘Scope 3’ GHG accounting in December 2010, which will require more comprehensive supply chain reporting from companies. Wal-Mart is already a step ahead in this process, as they have already begun programs to improve the energy efficiency of their top 200 China-based suppliers. Supply chain improvements result in; decreased supplier costs, reduced greenhouse gases, measurable results and pave the way for further sustainability initiatives. |
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Why CFO’s need financial strategy for carbon and energy |
 Soaring energy costs, board -level climate change compliance requirements, the hidden costs of carbon, growing risks of energy supply disruptions and significant opportunities for cost saving. Those are a few of the motivators for all CFO’s to have a financial strategy for energy and carbon in place. GCX’s carbon and energy management services can help CFO’s align their financial strategy with a carbon and energy management strategy. |
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2 - 4 June: Durban - 