Rob Scott, owner of the Shire Eco Lodge near Stutterheim, in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province, says the curved shape of its chalets takes its cue from nature. “I wanted the design of the chalets…
The highly anticipated second Timber Construction Conference again showed that “growing timber connections” involves human relationships, supply chain strength, environmental stewardship, economic sustainability and transdisciplinary collaboration across knowledge domains. The 230-strong enthusiastic group of architects,…
In the era of heightened concern for sustainability and conserving our planet’s resources, timber stands out as one of the few renewable construction materials, possessing the unique ability to store carbon and return to nature…
Architecture and engineering postgrads and professionals are increasingly questioning their roles in designing and creating environmentally friendly “green” built environments rather than brick, cement and steel construction. They are considering the carbon lifecycles of their…
Nelson Mandela University’s (NMU) first group of BSc Honours: Sustainable Natural Resource Management students are impressed by the programme’s multi-disciplinary approach. The programme recognises that ecological and sociological systems are interrelated and environmental, social and…
Joy Crane writes that a recent conversation with Duane Roothman, Vice President of Sappi Forests, took an unexpected turn. Instead of a carefully curated set of corporate statements about the company’s vision, mission and achievements,…
Innovative southern African architects, interior designers and engineered wood products manufacturers with project lifecycle and sustainability concerns can consider applying for Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Project Certification that confirms that the forest-based materials used in…
Verra, a world leading standards setter for climate action and sustainable development, made public for the first time the updated draft methodology for reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries (REDD). It…
The Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market (ICVCM) has released new assessment criteria for carbon credits. The criteria establish clear quality thresholds to inspire greater confidence in the carbon markets and their contributions to…
Sappi Southern Africa and the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) announced the launch of the Sappi Chair in Climate Change and Plantation Sustainability headed by Prof Mary Scholes. The intervention will advance the capacity to…
