Cape Town has won the national title for the World Wildlife Fund One Planet City Challenge (OPCC) twice, showcasing its commitment to sustainable urban development and renewable energy. The OPCC challenges cities globally to set climate goals aligned with the Paris Agreement’s objective of limiting global temperature increase to 1.5 °C. Cape Town’s strategies include condensed urbanization, transport electrification, and a balanced integration of adaptive actions, mitigation initiatives, and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, setting a worldwide exemplar for a future where urbanization coexists with sustainability. This triumph serves as a beacon of hope for cities across the globe.
Canal Walk Shopping Centre in Cape Town, South Africa is committed to environmental sustainability and has won the 5star Green Star Existing Building Performance Award for their efforts. They have decreased energy consumption by 34%, use water 44% more efficiently than the industry standard, and have implemented sustainable waste management methods. Their commitment to sustainability is evident in their daily operations, making them a leader in the retail industry’s adoption of green practices. They serve as an example for other retail entities to follow.
Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront has launched a sustainability initiative called ‘Our Better Nature’. The initiative aims to promote mindful consumption and encourage sustainable consumer practices to reduce landfill reliance. Its centerpiece is an installation featuring a gigantic suspended shopping trolley adorned with vibrantly colored bags made from repurposed waste materials. The initiative calls on the community to join in transforming waste into captivating artwork and to make even small acts of kindness for the environment.
Cape Town’s Trailblazing Approach to Waste Management: A Commitment to Sustainability
Cape Town’s Waste Education Week, a joint effort by CPUT and GTP, aims to create a culture of treating waste as material to be sorted, recycled, and reduced. CPUT has introduced a threebin separation system across all its campuses to become Cape Town’s first zerowaste university. The initiative serves as a model for sustainable living, emphasizing the significance of partnership and collaboration in achieving sustainability goals. The effects of this initiative are anticipated to reach far beyond the boundaries of the CPUT campus, marking a substantial stride towards environmental stewardship.
Cape Town recently held the Energy Water Waste Forum, which brought together city authorities and industry experts to find solutions to energy challenges while balancing economic expansion. The city has set ambitious goals to become carbonneutral and climateresilient by 2050, with a focus on enhancing energy efficiency. The forum was a strategic collaboration and marks a significant step towards a more sustainable and economically prosperous future for Cape Town.
FYN restaurant in Cape Town is a toprated eatery that combines Japanese and South African culinary traditions to create a unique dining experience. Chef Peter Tempelhoff and his team have earned multiple awards and recognition, including a spot on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list. FYN’s commitment to sustainability and collaboration with local providers and producers make it more than just a restaurant, but a testament to South Africa’s flourishing food culture.
Four ecoinnovation pioneers stand out at Bay Harbour Market in South Africa, showcasing profitable and sustainable models for operations. They address issues such as textile waste, carbon footprint, and plastic pollution while empowering local communities and promoting creative thinking towards a greener tomorrow. These green pioneers prove that sustainability is a feasible and profitable avenue that fosters community, creativity, and care for the environment.
Decorex Cape Town, the ultimate interior design exhibition in South Africa, is making a comeback from 6th to 9th June 2024. Attendees will witness innovative showcases, dialogues, and exhibitions, featuring 230 creative companies. Expect to see the future of 3D printing, sustainable housing, exciting design showcases, engaging dialogues, and South African brands. The event unites industry pioneers, design enthusiasts, and the public for a stimulating and captivating experience.
The Scone Shack is a sustainable eatery in Cape Point, Cape Town, founded by Karl Odendaal, a minimalist committed to offgrid living. The Shack is ecofriendly with salvaged windows and wood scraps, selfsufficient in energy, and reliant on solar power for electricity and alien wood for its woodburning oven. Visitors can enjoy vegan and glutenfree options and walk barefoot while enjoying the serene atmosphere of the space. The Shack is a sanctuary of peace, a throwback to simpler times, and a celebration of a conscious, sustainable lifestyle.
The Majestic Transformation of Cape Town’s Skyline: The Cape Winelands Airport Expansion
Cape Town’s Cape Winelands Airport is undergoing a massive $460 million expansion, with plans to extend a runway to 3,500m and become the most ecofriendly airport in the world. The project is expected to create 60,000 new jobs and serve as a backup for Cape Town International during emergencies, reducing carbon emissions and conserving fuel. The expansion is set to transform Cape Town’s skyline, bringing economic growth and environmental responsibility to the forefront.
Experience the serene and sustainable Gonana Collection in the peaceful fishing village of Paternoster, where each of the seven properties is powered by solar energy and offers a warm embrace of the idyllic environment. Discover a tapestry of sustainability woven from unrefined local materials and collaboration with local craftsmen. Embrace the Gonana lifestyle and contribute to the evolution of travel in this sanctuary for contemplation and mindfulness where nature and elegance intertwine.
Cape Town’s Catchment, Stormwater, and River Management department is leading a largescale project to rejuvenate the Blinkwater Stream in Camps Bay. The project aims to repair the concretelined channel, construct two silt basins upstream to trap large boulders, and equip the city to better resist future weather adversities. The innovative project, which integrates several detailed strategies, reflects the city’s commitment to sustainability and proactive infrastructure maintenance.
The Permit Advisory Forum (PAF) is a new initiative by the City of Cape Town to ensure compliance with marine outfall regulations and promote ecological responsibility. The PAF will manage effluent discharge volume and quality, pipeline maintenance, and environmental monitoring. The forum also explored innovative alternatives for waste management, including shortterm refurbishments and longterm wastewater treatment plant constructions. This pioneering effort aims to usher in a new era of sustainable and ecoaware ethos towards environmental stewardship.
Cape Town’s Energy, Water and Waste (EWW) Forum brings together the city and local businesses to work towards responsible resource management and sustainability. The forum focuses on innovative solutions to tackle organic waste management challenges and landfill diversion, with the goal of reducing organic waste in landfills by 50% by 2022 and achieving 100% organic waste diversion by 2027. The forum demonstrates the power of shared knowledge and collaboration in driving sustainable change and serves as an inspiring model for cities worldwide.
Maltento is a South African company that breeds black soldier flies to convert agroprocessing waste into proteinrich pet and aquaculture feed. Their unique farming methods not only produce functional proteins, healthy fats, and essential amino acids but also excrete a byproduct known as frass that has considerable nutritional value and can improve soil fertility. Maltento’s innovation and commitment to sustainability challenge preconceptions in the agritech and pet food industry, and their groundbreaking work highlights South Africa’s role in the global innovation landscape.
Cape Town’s Water and Sanitation Vision aims to provide dignified water and sanitation services to all residents, with a proposed budget of R5,317bn dedicated to water and sanitation in the financial year of 2024/2025. The plan includes installing new taps and toilets in informal settlements, diversifying water sources, and improving infrastructure and treatment facilities. The city is also committed to building resilience during instances of loadshedding, preserving the environment, and reducing the risk of pollution. This investment signifies a brighter, sustainable future for the city and its inhabitants.