The South African government has responded to the challenges with policy and legislation focused on emissions reduction, including the possibility of a carbon tax, and is investigating the impact of climate change through long-term adaptation scenarios.
South African business has responded by becoming a global leader in reporting carbon emissions.
A total of 83 of the JSE top 100 companies participated in the latest Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) — the second-highest response in the world.
The results “dispel the myth that business does not think climate change is real and is not prepared to act”, says Joanne Yawitch, head of the National Business Initiative and a judge of the M&G Greening the Future Awards.
Investors, educators, local NGOs and communities are also responding to the challenges of climate change by embracing environmental sustainability and green technologies in their spheres of operation.
In 2014, the pioneering M&G Greening the Future Awards honour these forward-thinking green technologies and strategies that help combat climate change, encourage renewable energy and foster the strategic management of natural resources.
For the past decade, the awards have championed South African solutions for sustaining a healthy planet and those who live in it.
They are judged by an independent, respected panel of judges.
As the competition enters its second decade, we invite you to join us at the cutting edge of innovation and excellence in sustainability.
Categories
• Innovations for Climate Change Adaptation – celebrates projects, organisations and companies that have created innovative strategies for adapting to the impacts of global warming. Their approach is to reduce the risks and vulnerabilities of populations exposed to the negative effects of climate change.
• Energy Efficiency and Carbon Management – showcases projects, organisations and companies that demonstrate best practice by reducing their carbon footprint and entrenches energy efficient and/or electricity savings into their business practices.
• Community Renewable Energy Innovations – celebrates community groups and organisations creating new models in renewable energy, resource efficiency and electricity savings. These are the pathfinders whose innovations will change the face of our energy future and have the potential to be replicated.
Youth Leadership and Job Creation – celebrates individuals and projects breaking new ground for environmental sustainability. These are the pathfinders whose innovations and ideas have the potential to create new jobs in the environmental sector.
• Green Technology Innovations – rewards projects, organisations and companies at the cutting edge of technological innovations aimed at the more efficient use of natural resources. These innovations offer real savings for natural capital and have the potential to be replicated.
Community Conservation – showcases the efforts of community groups and organisations that dedicate time and/or resources to environmental sustainability. These models are innovative, inspirational and are making a difference to communities and their environments.
• Biodiversity Stewardship – recognises communities, companies, organisations and/or individuals who nurture biodiversity. The projects ensure that natural systems, biodiversity and ecosystem services are secured on land of high biodiversity value outside the formally protected areas.
• Business Green Economy Modelling – rewards companies and business strategies that promote economic growth and job creation in conjunction with low carbon development and natural resource efficiency. These are internal and external models that demonstrate best practice in the green economy.
• Non-Profit Green Economy Modelling – rewards non-profit organisations that promote economic growth and job creation in conjunction with low carbon development and natural resource efficiency. These are projects that encourage and/or demonstrate the wisdom of investment in the green economy.
• Water Efficiency & Management – showcases innovative, effective measures taken to protect the most vulnerable natural resource affected by climate change. These are replicable models of how to conserve water, recycle water and/or prevent pollution of water resources.
• Rhino Conservation – celebrates the heroes who are prepared to step in with practical, workable solutions to rhino poaching. It honours companies, organisations, projects and individuals who are making a difference on the ground.
Closing date for entries is April 30 2014.
Winners and finalists will be announced at a gala dinner on Tuesday June 24 2014.
For more information contact Tamarin Marshman on 011 250 7300 or [email protected]
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