3. Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETDs) - All submissions
Permanent URI for this communityhttps://wiredspace.wits.ac.za/handle/10539/45
Browse
2 results
Search Results
Item Energy policies for sustainable development of informal settlements upgrading in South Africa(2019-09) Alkhouli, Afnan MohammadSouth Africa is experiencing numerous challenges, such as low economic growth, social disparities, and poor governance (Du Plooy, 2017). The energy crisis in South Africa is not new, especially for the inhabitants of informal settlements. The poor energy supply to the residents of these settlements leads them to use other energy sources that meet some of their needs such as paraffin, coal, wood and solid waste, which lead to air pollution and serious health and environmental diseases (Winkler, et al., 2006). “For a transition of this magnitude to be successful, a holistic perspective of sustainability is required across several sectors” (Du Plooy, 2017, p. 4). This research will examine how South African policies are dealing with upgrading these settlements and how they are providing sustainable energy to the inhabitants of the informal settlements. Although research on the upgrading of informal settlements is extensive, the promotion of sustainable energy upgrading in informal settlements to alleviate the energy crisis still needs to be answered. The responsibility of governments and municipalities rely on developing clear and explicit planning to improve informal settlements and secure their basic needs while minimising the impact of settlements on the environment and work to sustainable energy transition (SET). The study contributes to discussing the possibility of reducing energy poverty, while highlighting the need to have a balance across all the society populations to achieve the concept of sustainable development. The purpose of the research is to encourage and show the right of the inhabitants of these settlements to obtain the most basic rights, according to the rights of energy in South Africa, taking into account the preservation of a clean and sustainable environment by providing what citizens need without compromising the ability of the future generations to meet their needs. This research is based on a review of the literature which has been collected from books, journals, articles, reports, previous related researches, some information from the internet (archival research) and energy polices. It depends on energy policies and laws of the state of South Africa, as well as nongovernmental organisations associated with the development of informal settlements and energy. It is expected from the research that all the responsible authorities of the inhabitants of these settlements, whether municipalities or other government sectors, consider serious and tangible upgrading of these settlements to relieve the informal settlements inhabitants from the suffering of poverty and from lack of the basics of living. Also, these authorities should reconsider their responsibilities to preserve their environment where the energy policy of South Africa aims to achieve a clean and sustainable environment by 2025 (Winkler, et al., 2006). The research attempts to understand the imbalance of not covering and extending energy for all residents and how to access sustainable energy that covers the inhabitants of informal settlements and limits extreme poverty of energy.Item Law, regulation, and the promotion of renewable energy in South Africa(2016) Murombo, TumaiMany countries are under pressure to transition from fossil to renewable sources of energy. This pressure comes from multiple points including sustainable energy and climate change imperatives. The energy industry, especially electricity generation, is the main source of greenhouse gases, hence the significance of reductions in this industry. The purpose of this study was to conduct a legal analysis of the renewable energy law in the context of energy law generally in South Africa, to understand the regulatory function of law in promoting renewable energy. The study analysed government legal and policy positions, and the response by non-state actors to such policy positions and laws. Through a qualitative analysis of primary and secondary sources of law and public participation documents, the study found that; while South Africa is committed to renewable energy, its socio-economic, cultural, and environmental context superimposes other priorities that impede progress towards renewable energy. Several obstacles to renewable energy were identified, some internal to energy law and others external to it, coming from other areas such as environmental law, governance, economics, and behavioural sciences. Analysis at the convergence of environmental and energy law revealed misalignment and fragmentation as major obstacles to renewable energy. While barriers are common across the globe, countries cannot apply the same responses with the same results. Regulatory responses, beyond the traditional ‘command and control’ tools are context specific and tools that have worked, in other countries, may not be as effective in South Africa. Socio-economic dynamics determine the legal responses to the barriers to renewable energy or the efficacy of economic incentives to promote renewable energy. However, overall, law and regulation can, and must, play a crucial enabling role by removing barriers to renewable energy. Nevertheless, there are limits to the use law ‘as regulation.’ Renewables will not replace fossil sources yet; rather in the long-term, renewables should become a big part of the energy mix. Despite gaining price competitiveness, it is too early for renewables to displace conventional fossil sources in a context of entrenched structural and institutional obstacles. Concomitant technical, market, economic, and environmental and resource governance interventions are necessary to effectively promote an energy mix substantially composed of renewables. The study recommends that law should create an enabling regulatory environment for renewable energy. South Africa has not used law effectively enough to create this environment, thereby impeding the integration of renewable energy into its energy mix. Aligning energy and environmental law, among other incentives, can enhance this role of law. Legal reforms are necessary to remove the regulatory advantage afforded to conventional sources of electricity and level the playing field.