Book Chapters

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    Sustainability Handbook Volume 3
    (Alive2green, 2021-12) De Jager, Peta; De Jager, Peta; De Jager, Peta
    The coronavirus pandemic took the world by surprise in 2020. The virus created a dire need for new processes and interventions that needed to be adapted, adopted and proven. Although Covid-19 has been dominating all local and global news headlines with its centrefold positioning on vaccines, restrictions, and containment, issues of sustainability were not completely kicked off mainstream media’s centre stage. The recent Glasgow climate pact shone a brighter spotlight on relevant sustainability narratives concluding in the unforeseen phasing down of coal reliance. Robust, optimistic participation and progress were celebrated at the summit for a few days only to be quenched by a last-minute phrasing adjustment that witnessed a quick sudden migration from “phasing out” to “phasing down” of coal. This echoed widespread dissatisfaction by most COP 26 delegates who felt that transparency and procedural consistency has been compromised by great haste. The summit followed the ground-breaking announcement by some EU member states, United Kingdom and the United States of America, for a new ambitious, long-term Just Energy Transition Partnership, complete with funding commitments to support South Africa’s decarbonisation efforts. Meanwhile, on South Africa’s eastern seaboard, Shell is preparing to continue prospecting for off-shore oil and gas, amidst mounting heightened attention, as well as both watchdog and public criticism and a failed interdict.
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    The Sustainability Handbook: Volume 5
    (Alive2Green, 2022-12) De Jager, Peta; De Jager, Peta
    The South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) recently published its latest infrastructure report card. Unsurprisingly, the findings reflected that in many instances our infrastructure assets are in poor and worsening shape. At the launch of the report card, SAICE leadership were at pains to point out that despite this, there are pockets of excellence. We need to identify good examples and the best practices and leadership approaches that ensure success. This edition of the Sustainability Handbook features a number of thought pieces from leaders in various sectors. It also features disruptive and experimental work. No doubt, simply continuing as we do, and expecting a different outcome is flawed. In this edition, Campbell provides thought leadership asking the question: "Should the National Treasury be the custodians of Public Procurement?" Self-proclaimed outlier and disruptor Lipshitz discusses the troubling, but fake, social media claiming that, as Eskom is not buying diesel for its peaking power stations, South Africa will be beset with a nationwide lasting blackout on 9th December 2022. Given South Africa's ongoing experiences with loadshedding, amplified by messages that many parts of the world face energy insecurity, such a message seemed both plausible and alarming. Implications ranging from knock on effects of water, food security and so on are unpacked, reminding us of the fragility and interconnected nature of our systems.