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NEWS: Circular solutions are vital to curb enviro harm from cement and concrete

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Demand for cement and concrete is set to grow, especially in developing countries to improve infrastructure and living standards. Experts say that solutions reigning in the sector’s environmental footprint are vital, especially curbing greenhouse gas emissions that could absorb a major chunk of our remaining carbon budget. A hardhatNEWS article highlights the detrimental environmental impact of cement and concrete production on climate change, human health, and biodiversity. Cement manufacturing, particularly, contributes significantly to global carbon emissions due to the high energy consumption and chemical processes involved. The growing demand for cement and concrete, especially in developing countries, further exacerbates these challenges. The article emphasizes the urgent need for circular solutions to address the environmental threats posed by the cement and concrete supply chain. Experts suggest a combination of technological advancements, material changes, improved resource ef
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NEWS: SA’s citrus exports flat as infrastructure woes sour season

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South Africa’s citrus exports remained flat during the 2023 season, missing an industry target as the country’s electricity and logistics problems worsened.


The world’s second biggest citrus exporter after Spain shipped 165.1 million cartons of fruit in the 2023 export season, an increase of less than 1% on last year’s figure, Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa (CGA) president Justin Chadwick said in a statement.

The exports fell short of the CGA’s forecast of 170 million cartons for the year due to persistent power cuts caused by erratic generation from South Africa’s ageing coal plants, which impacted irrigation, packing and cold storage, Chadwick said.

The underperformance of South Africa’s state-run freight rail and port utility Transnet, which has throttled commodity exports across the economy, also hobbled citrus shipments.

“Congestion at ports and a dysfunctional freight rail network has cost farmers dearly and is, in effect, halting growth opportunities for the citrus industry,” Chadwick said.

He said the European Union’s regulations requiring enhanced cold treatment for citrus exports due to concerns over False Codling Moth, a pest commonly found in sub-Saharan Africa, and fungal disease Citrus Black Spot, would cost South Africa’s citrus industry R3.7 billion ($201.43 million) annually.

The EU is South Africa’s biggest export market, accounting for 33% of fruit shipments in 2022, followed by the Middle East with 19%.

The regulations have resulted in decreased orange exports to the Europe, Chadwick said, predicting a further decline in 2024.

Last year, South Africa lodged its first ever WTO dispute complaint when it challenged the EU’s phytosanitary requirements for imports of oranges and other citrus products related to the False Codling Moth.

The CGA has also asked the South African government to lodge another WTO complaint against the EU over the citrus black spot regulations.

This hardhatNEWS article was first published on Moneyweb

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