Africa's population is expected to double over the next 25 years. But with Africa's housing already insufficient, expensive and not meeting the soaring demand, the continent faces a housing crisis. Today, 56 percent of Africa's urban population lives in informal settlements as a result of natural disasters and the significant lack of affordable housing available. Could eco-friendly homes offer an affordable and sustainable housing solution?

Solar savings insurance products can help boost confidence among companies using solar power alternatives since it insures them against losses on forecasted solar energy savings. The first product of this kind debuted in South Africa last month under leadership of All Power Systems and Synthesis Power in collaboration with Fusion Energy, a clean energy concern based in Stellenbosch.

Energy Africa Indaba was held on February 21 to 22 in Sandton, South Africa and set to catalyze development of energy sector in Africa. It brought together political leaders, experts in energy, and stakeholders from all around the world. It saw its first ever Youth Energy Innovator exhibition and launching of the energyDRIVE initiative, in addition to the panels, keynote addresses and energy agreements reached at during the event. It also hosted the third annual Women in Energy conference.

Last month, South African Airways and Boeing celebrated flying the first-ever plane in Africa to be fuelled by biofuel from tobacacco. Project Solaris aims to produce local cleaner biofuel to power planes in South Africa, whilst providing local jobs. It means the aviation industry is also set and able to use biofuels, a measure that will help lower carbon-emissions. The South African Airways project will also produce biodiesel for cars and for other industries.

Environmental concerns have always been thought of as the realm of NGOs, governments and philanthropists, so how can local entreprenuership contribute? Environmental problems are usually as a result of a disconnect between the societal, business and environmental needs. Therefore a system that links the three from the word go is to be applauded today. This is the basis of the eco-preneurship idea, which seeks to support and promote businesses that are designed with environmental conciousness. 

WWF International recently launched a report Crossing the Divide: How to Close the Emissions Abyss to coincide with discussions by UN climate negotiators, focusing on emissions reductions in the pre-2020 period. The report highlights the ‘gigatonne gap’ of emissions reductions needed to meet 2020 commitments. In the report, national contacts in various developed and developing countries provide an analysis of the current situation on energy and climate change, and then provide ways their governments could do more to close the emissions gap