AMATHEMBA Environmental Management Consulting CC

It's not often that the Amathemba Team Barry Wiesner and Chandré de Waard get to inspect a site together. Here we are on Castle WEF as it nears completion with final turbine erection. Trying hard not to be blown away on a very windy day... Must be why a wind farm is being built here! 😀

𝗥𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗧𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀: 𝗔𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗮𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 At AMATHEMBA Environmental Management Consulting CC, we’ve seen first-hand how alien and invasive plants (A&IPs) can quickly take hold on construction sites. These non-indigenous species, such as 𝘋𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘢 𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘰𝘹 (Large Thorn Apple), 𝘋𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘢 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘶𝘮 (Common Thorn Apple), and 𝘈𝘳𝘨𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘮𝘦𝘹𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘢 (Mexican Poppy), establish and multiply rapidly, threatening biodiversity and ecosystem health. There are several invasive species that can be established, we’ve used the more common ones in this post. What makes these species so problematic? Read on for more and get tips to control A&IP’s when they start sprouting! 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗔&𝗜𝗣𝘀? Alien and invasive plants are species introduced to an area where they don’t naturally occur. Once established, they outcompete indigenous vegetation for resources, disrupt natural ecosystems, and reduce biodiversity. 🌵❌⚠️ 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗱𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝘀𝗼 𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗹𝘆? A&IPs, like 𝘋𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘢 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘶𝘮 and 𝘈𝘳𝘨𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘮𝘦𝘹𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘢, thrive because they: • 𝗟𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗻𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 in their new environment. • 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲 𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲 𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀, giving them a competitive advantage over indigenous species. • 𝗔𝗱𝗮𝗽𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗯𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀 like construction sites, where the natural landscape has been altered. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝘁𝗼 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗮? 🪨 Disturbance of soil during site preparation and clearing activities. Often these species are dormant in the soil, with seeds that can remain viable for years. 🏗️ Movement of machinery and materials that unintentionally spreads seeds. Often machinery can carry over seeds from one area to the next if not cleaned properly. 💦 Water availability from altered drainage patterns or runoff, which accelerates their growth. Here are 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘆 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗽𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹 𝗔&𝗜𝗣𝘀 early on:  𝟭. 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴: Conduct routine surveys to identify A&IPs early, before they spread. 👷  𝟮. 𝗜𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗮𝗹: Remove small plants manually, or contact a registered Pest Control Operator to apply registered herbicides before they set seed. 🥀 𝟯. 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲/ 𝗿𝗲𝗵𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗯𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀: Plant indigenous species in areas cleared of A&IPs to prevent re-establishment. 🌿 By addressing these invasive plants early in construction, we can protect the natural environment and contribute to the sustainability of our projects. Let’s work together to keep our sites healthy and A&IP-free! 💚

𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗯𝗮 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 - 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗱 Barry Wiesner of AMATHEMBA Environmental Management Consulting CC was afforded the opportunity to attend the South African Wind Energy Association (SAWEA) 13th annual conference, 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗯𝗮 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 at the CTICC in Cape Town.    This year’s theme was 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗱. Keynote speakers and panel sessions focused on collaboration between all stakeholders in the wind energy sector to ensure energy security for the South African community. Providing affordable and accessible energy supply was a key underlying theme. Sustainability of the energy supply while aiming to reduce carbon emissions to help achieve South Africa’s net zero targets is fundamental to energy generation. The 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗘𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 (JET) with all its significant implications for both the socio-economic and biodiversity challenges was central to many discussions and presentations. Potential impacts on people and biophysical environment remain crucial considerations in all wind energy projects and transmission line expansion. It was encouraging to see developers, funders, environmental specialists and government officials engaging in positive discussions on JET. Thank you 𝗦𝗔𝗪𝗘𝗔 for providing the opportunity for learning, sharing and networking through Windaba 2024. 𝗔𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗮 𝗘𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 is grateful to have had the opportunity to interact in such a forum with many of our clients, government officials, friends and colleagues on our journey to net-zero.

𝗔 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗻𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝗜𝗔𝘀, 𝗕𝗔𝘀, 𝗻𝗼𝗿𝗺𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗘𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮. 𝗦𝗟𝗥 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 (Stuart Heather-Clark, Liandra Scott-Shaw and Robyn Thomson) provided a training day for several renewable energy clients on Monday 30th September in Cape Town. 𝗔𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗮’𝘀 Barry Wiesner was invited to join them and once again share his insights into the disconnect between the impact assessment phase and the construction phase of large-scale renewable energy projects in South Africa. The day was a great success with lively discussion from attendees around the complex processes and permit requirements from an environmental management perspective when developing a large-scale renewable energy project in SA. AMATHEMBA Environmental Management Consulting CC would like to thank SLR Consulting for the invitation to present and the delegates that attended for a wonderful interactive training day! #SLRConsulting #RenewbaleEnergy #ClimateChange

Last week, AMATHEMBA Environmental Management Consulting CC had the privilege of attending the Environmental Law Association of South Africa Annual Conference at the beautiful University of the Witwatersrand, themed "𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗶𝗱𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗮𝗽𝘀: 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲, 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗴𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀." The insightful sessions explored critical challenges and opportunities within water governance, ranging from 𝗙𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗵𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗟𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲𝘀 and 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝘀 𝗦𝗶𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗘𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, to 𝗦𝗵𝗶𝗳𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗢𝗰𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲. 💡 Some of our key takeaways: • Helping communities is not always about pursuing legal action. Engaging directly with companies and developers in the area can often yield more effective, sustainable outcomes that truly benefit the community. • Achieving sustainability requires integration between legal frameworks and environmental science - neither can function in isolation. • The African philosophy of Ubuntu is an essential part of sustainable development - collaborating with communities and harnessing their knowledge and experience is vital. • Exciting introduction of Ripl (https://ripl.co.za/), the Protect the West Coast Public Participation Process and comments Portal for coastal mining applications. • A strong call for specific legislation to govern offshore exploration emerged as an urgent need. We commend the Environmental Law Association of South Africa team for such a successful conference!

Last week, we had the opportunity to attend a very insightful and engaging panel session on the Just Energy Transition (JET) and lessons for impact assessment. Chaired by Barry Wiesner of AMATHEMBA Environmental Management Consulting CC, the session featured a distinguished panel including Zama MaMkhize-Pila, Monique Sham, Corné Niemandt, Lehlogonolo Mashego (MSc), Orlinda Mafika Pr.Sci.Nat, Tshinanne Mutshatshi and Nicholas Arnott. The session, titled "𝗧𝗼𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗮 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁", presented a thought-provoking hypothetical scenario about the fictional state called Just, which is grappling with the need to transition away from fossil fuels. As the audience, we stepped into the shoes of Just's citizens and stakeholders, engaging in an interactive debate on the best path forward for a sustainable and inclusive future. The session highlighted the 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘃𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁, including social, ecological, and economic impacts, as well as public participation. This exercise was not only an insightful exploration of the complexities of transformation but also 𝗮 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹-𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮’𝘀 𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗘𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. The discussion reinforced the significance of sound decision-making and community engagement in shaping a better future.

During the IAIAsa - International Association for Impact Assessment South Africa 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 last week, we attended an insightful session titled "𝟯𝗙 𝗙𝗶𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲: 𝗧𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲", chaired by Abulele Adams from 𝗖𝗦𝗜𝗥, with 𝗔𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗮’𝘀 Barry Wiesner on the panel, as well as Ahmed Sanda, Monique Sham and Zama MaMkhize-Pila. The discussion focused on the pressing need to update and adapt Impact Assessment (IA) tools, some of which are now over 50 years old. As our world faces increasing environmental and social stresses, it's clear that traditional IA processes are no longer sufficient to address these challenges. The session highlighted the 𝗙𝗶𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 (𝟯𝗙) 𝗜𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲, which seeks to incorporate the latest earth and human system conditions into IA. A key takeaway was the need to integrate new technologies and consider how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be used in IA. A further significant takeaway is the need to include the concept of planetary boundaries in IA tools, ensuring that decision-makers are equipped to navigate the global environmental, social, and financial risks we face. A particular focus was placed on exploring the potential for establishing 𝗙𝗶𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗕𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 across Africa. Currently consideration is being given for centres in South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria and Ghana. This initiative is crucial for creating mitigation and restoration plans that are truly fit for the future.

𝗔𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗮 𝗘𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 was well represented at the 𝗜𝗔𝗜𝗔𝘀𝗮 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 held at the ANEW Resort Hunters Rest near Rustenburg in the Northwest Province. Over 300 delegates from the environmental industry gathered to discuss the theme of the conference "𝗥𝗼𝗮𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗨𝗻𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗜𝗘𝗠". Both 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗿𝘆 𝗪𝗶𝗲𝘀𝗻𝗲𝗿 and 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗲 𝗱𝗲 𝗪𝗮𝗮𝗿𝗱 presented. Chandre presented on “𝗙𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀 – 𝗡𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻”. Barry Wiesner presented on “𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗮𝗽 – 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗜𝗔 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲-𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗔”. Both presentations were well received, with attendees at the conference voting 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗿𝘆 𝗪𝗶𝗲𝘀𝗻𝗲𝗿 as best presenter at IAIAsa National Conference 2024. Chandre was also part of the conference committee, working hard in the background throughout conference proceedings. We are extremely honoured, and proud of the Amathemba team and the small contributions we are making towards a more sustainable world! Barry Wiesner | Chandré de Waard AMATHEMBA Environmental Management Consulting CC

We've been a bit quiet with our posts, but this year so far has been very busy for us, and we are extremely privileged to be able to say that! Travelling so often, and getting to experience our beautiful country is one of many great things about providing #ECO services here in South Africa. Here are a few sunrise pictures to brighten up your day! We highly recommend getting up early to experience the sunrise, even if it's freezing! Taken by our team during their travels to sites. 🌄 Barry Wiesner | Chandré de Waard

Director and Founder of AMATHEMBA Environmental Management Consulting CC Barry Wiesner presenting at the IAIA24 Conference in Dublin, Ireland. 👨🏫 Read his summary below, and attend the IAIAsa - International Association for Impact Assessment South Africa later this year to listen and participate in the discussion with Barry! 🗣 Mind The Gap - The disconnect between Impact Assessment and construction of large scale renewable energy projects in South Africa. What are these “gaps” and can they be avoided in future projects? "Renewable energy is on the increase worldwide and is urgently needed to help reduce carbon emissions from the energy generation sector. There is a very clear environmental impact assessment process to be followed for large scale renewable energy projects in South Africa. Generally, there is a very standard of Impact Assessment (IA) and the commitment from developers to adhere to required environmental management procedures for their projects. However, it has been my experience that despite the high standard of IA, there are environmental aspects that arise in the construction phase, that have not been, but should have been assessed during the IA phase. This unintentional disconnect and gaps in knowledge can potentially delay the construction phase as technically environmental non-compliant aspects arise as construction begins. This presentation highlights several of these “gaps” and hopefully provides some practical insights to avoid them in future projects. Examples are drawn from my experience as an Environmental Control Officer on large scale wind and solar energy facilities in South Africa."