1. Sustainability targets: Develop clear quantified sector targets based on science and human development commitments. 2. Alternatives: Identify and test alternative, radically more efficient approaches and scale up these up based on evidence. 3. Integration: Rapidly integrate effective approaches to practice. … Continue reading Six things we should be doing to make better progress in terms of sustainability
1. A disconnect between what is required by science, what has been committed to, and what actually happens on the ground. 2. Only small incremental amendments to systems are being made – these are insufficient – radical change and … Continue reading Four reasons why we are not achieving the required progress towards sustainability
“Smart” and “Sustainable” have become buzzwords in literature about built environment and cities and are generally used to describe approaches which enhance the environmental performance through the use of technology. However, wide usage has meant that these terms have become … Continue reading Developing a Research Agenda for Smart and Sustainable Built Environments
Municipal electricity costs in South Africa have risen by 173% in the last ten years; an average annual increase of 17.3%. At the same time, public funding for schools has been dropped in real terms by 8% per learner over … Continue reading Rapid Identification and Evaluation of Interventions for Improved Energy Performance in South Africa Schools
Water and sanitation costs at South African municipalities have been steadily rising in the last 5 years and are particularly high in water-stressed areas such as Cape Town. Many areas of South Africa also experience water shortages and unreliable water … Continue reading Rapid Identification and Evaluation of Interventions for Improved Water Performance at South Africa Schools
As a continent, Africa is rapidly urbanizing and urban areas are expected to experience a growth rate of 3.9% through to 2050 (Bahri et al, 2016). Much of this growth is projected to occur in smaller towns with limited infrastructure … Continue reading Water, health and a rapidly urbanising Africa
The UN’s Sustainable Development Goals include specific requirements to address water, sanitation, hygiene and slum conditions (United Nations, 2018). SDG 6.1.1 sets a target for universal access to safely managed drinking water by 2030. This requires households to be able … Continue reading Water in the SDGs and the NDP
South Africa has been celebrating dams in the Western Cape filling up with the recent rains. Soon, however, it is likely that the real possibility that Cape Town would run out of water will be forgotten. Before this happens it is important … Continue reading How did Cape Town avoid running out of water?
Jeremy Gibberd 