• Start year: 2013
• Type: Policy/Strategies/Action Plans
• Status: In operation

" 2055, growth and development in Tshwane is driven by an economy that supports a sustainable, vibrant, livable and prosperous city, through integrated ecological, social, economic and spatial agendas that promote human and
environmental well-being."

• Start year:
• Type: Education/Awareness Raising
• Status: Completed

Annually the City of Tshwane has celebrated Earth Hour on the third Saturday of March from 20h30 to 21h30. Each event is accompanied by an awareness drive. Earth Hour is a worldwide grass-roots movement for the planet organized by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). Earth Hour engages a massive mainstream community on a broad range of environmental issues. It was famously started as a lights-off event in Sydney, Australia in 2007. Since then it has grown to engage more than 7000 cities and towns worldwide, and the one-hour event continues to remain the key driver of the now larger movement. The event is held worldwide and held towards the end of March annually, encouraging individuals, communities, households and businesses to turn off their non-essential lights for one hour as a symbol for their commitment to the planet.

• Start year:
• Type:
• Status: Completed

The City of Tshwane commemorated World Environment Day on 6 June 2014. The City’s environmental focus for 2014 is the minimisation of waste by separating it at its source, and promoting the recycling of waste. Leading up to the World Environment Day event, two workshops were held in Atteridgeville to raise awareness of waste separation at its source, linking community recycling groups with recycling companies, and highlighting opportunities that are available in the recycling sector. On 6 June 2014, the Environmental Management Services department gave awards to community environmental groups and schools that have implemented sustainable environmental projects.

• Start year: 2012
• Type: Technical/Infrastructure investment
• Status: Completed

Having launched the first phase of the Bus Rapid Transit system - known as A Re Yeng - in 2014, the City of Tshwane further invested in a fleet of 40 full CNG-propelled buses to form part of the overall A Re Yeng fleet of 144 buses. The investment in these buses is also ensuring that the City is implementing the C40 Clean Bus Declaration which ensures that 40% of the Tshwane Bus Fleet switches to cleaner fuel sources. In October 2017, the City undertook a soft launch of its A Re Yeng bus depot which will have a CNG fuelling station. Currently, the buses are refuelled via a mobile fuelling station. The advantages of this investment in CNG-propelled buses includes affordability as fuel consumption is reduced by 40% and lowered maintenance costs; less noise pollution; environmental benefits including 25% reduction in carbon dioxide, 20% reduction in carbon monoxide, and 90% reduction in nitrogen oxide.

• Start year: 2008
• Type: Technical / Infrastructural
• Status: Under construction / set up

The City of Tshwane has entered into an agreement with the World Resources Institute (WRI) to be part of the Building Efficiency Accelerator, established by the United Nations’ Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL). The programme has been developed with the aim of accelerating action on energy efficiency, improving air quality and reducing the greenhouse gas emissions. City of Tshwane work plan has been finalised and tracking progress is now done on a monthly basis and reported to the WRI representatives. As part of the BEA, the HP Phillips building has been identified as the one of city buildings to be refurbished and retrofitted using green technology. After the refurbishment, the building will be occupied by municipal courts officials and other departments will occupy the building once the project is complete. There is a committee that has been established to deal with the project logistics of the refurbishment and greening process.

• Start year: 2014
• Type: Technical/Infrastructure investment
• Status: In operation

Waste is the second highest source of emissions in the City of Tshwane. Furthermore, the City has a limited airspace at its remaining landfills. In order to divert waste from landfill to minimise waste-related GHG emissions as well as extend the lifespan of the remaining landfills, a partnership with the private sector has led to the investment into recycling infrastructure to facilitate waste diversion in Regions 3 and 4 (approximately 300 000 households). It enables the extraction of recyclable waste, the baling of residual waste, and a composting facility where green waste is shredded and composted. At full capacity the facility will provide 131 jobs

• Start year: 2013
• Type: Technical/Infrastructure investment
• Status: In operation

There is limited use of buses in Tshwane – as a general mode of transport, 6% of trips are by bus and for work purposes 9% are by bus. The two most popular modes of transport, for work purposes, are car (46%) and taxi (28%). Therefore, for work purposes, there is great potential to induce a modal shift from these two modes to mass mobility and the City has attempted to do this through the design of a bus rapid transit system, A Re Yeng. It is a high-quality, rapid, affordable, safe and convenient public bus service. Its first phase of operations started on 1 December 2014 with a fleet of 30 rigid buses for transporting commuters along trunk and feeder routes. Buses are equipped with free wi-fi, air conditioning, low-floor technology that supports Euro V emission levels (emitting less harmful gasses into the atmosphere), and eight dedicated red priority seats reserved for the pregnant, aged and sick as well as children. There is also one wheelchair space, conveniently situated on the aisle next to the doors. Having launched the first phase, the intention is to develop a further 53km in order to connect high volume travel destinations in concert with the City’s Spatial Development Framework as the City promotes Transit Oriented Development.

• Start year: 2009
• Type: Technical/Infrastructure investment
• Status: Completed

"The City embarked on an inner city rejuvenation project called “Operation Reclaim” where NMT facilities and infrastructure are being developed to create a cycle and pedestrian friendly environment and to give preference to cyclists and pedestrians. Dedicated facilities are presently being implemented.
Provision of sidewalks to improve pedestrian safety that is part of the implementation of the road safety master plan including various areas in the City;
Provision of cycling infrastructure has been made under the Shova Kalula (Pedal Easy) project of the City of Tshwane in partnership with the Department of Transport (DOT) and Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport (GDRT).
The Shova Kalula project headed by the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport where 1650 bicycles have been delivered to the City of Tshwane for distribution at schools in the Tshwane area

• Start year: 2012
• Type: Technical/Infrastructure investment
• Status: Planning phase

In an effort to promote green building design in a variety of environments, the Green Building Programme headed up by the City Sustainability Unit has a number of initiatives underway to demonstrate improvements in the built environment. A key intervention is the installation of photovoltaic panels at the Tshwane Metro Police headquarters to reduce its dependence on fossil fuel derived electricity and in the medium term reduce its operational costs as the need for electricity to be purchased from Eskom is minimized.

• Start year: 2013
• Type: Policy/Strategies/Action Plans
• Status: In operation

The City adopted an IWMP status quo and gap analysis report in 2013. The status quo report highlighted critical challenges in respect of waste management in the City including rapidly diminishing landfill airspace, informal waste reclamation at landfills posing a serious occupational, health and safety risk, as well as limiting the CoT in managing and controlling its operation activities in line with the respective permit requirements and the lack of recycling infrastructure. Following the drafting of this report an Integrated Waste Management Plan was compiled in 2014. Whilst it has not been approved as yet, the plan determines the importance of investing in recycling infrastructure and diverting waste from landfill (25% as required by the National Waste Management Strategy).

• Start year: 2013
• Type: Technical/Infrastructure investment
• Status: In operation

The aims of the project were to demonstrate the range of socio-economic, health and environmental benefits which are possible from the implementation of resource-efficient interventions in low-income houses. Furthermore, to show that people’s quality of life can be improved, while keeping the country’s development on a low carbon and more ‘Earth-friendly’ path

• Start year: 2008
• Type: Policy/Strategies/Action Plans
• Status: Under construction / set up

IIn June 2016, the Council of the City of Tshwane approved its Comprehensive Integrated Transport Plan (CITP) (2015-2020) which is a statutory plan required by the National Land Transport Act No.5 of 2009 and the Gauteng Transport Framework Revision Act, Act 8 of 2002. It replaces the Integrated Transport Plan (2006-2011). Its objective is to guide transport development and operations in the City. It has to be reviewed every five years and must be integrated with the IDP process. The CITP exceeded the legislative minimum requirements as it has included comprehensive surveys, a Household Travel Survey, land use and transport demand modelling as well as micro-simulation of traffic. Furthermore, unlike a standard Integrated Transport Plan, it contains a chapter on Sustainable Transport. Chapter 11 of the CITP addresses Non-Motorised Transport (NMT) and the next step will be the development of the NMT masterplan that will implement the principles contained in Chapter 11. This plan will complement the Pedestrian Safety Master Plan providing a comprehensive framework for improving pedestrian safety and mobility in the CoT regions. The objectives of the Pedestrian Safety Master Plan was mainly focused on improved safety and efficiency for pedestrians by implementing traffic calming measures, provision of formal public transport facilities, road markings and road signage, pedestrian walkways.

• Start year: 2014
• Type: Policy/Strategies/Action Plans
• Status:

"Tshwane’s transition to a green economy will challenge the established economic system, which is based on increasing the
exploitation of natural resources so as to fulfil the growing demands for material consumption. The Strategic Framework aims to guide and support a more inclusive and sustainable economic growth path that will include significant investment in natural and social capital."

• Start year: 2011
• Type: Technical/Infrastructure investment
• Status: Under construction / set up

a. In the Tshwane Water Supply Area, there are a number of reservoirs receiving water from Rand Water at a pressure of up to 250 m, it was conservative calculated that the potential to generate hydropower generation from these pressurized supply pipelines can be viable. The potential of hydropower generation at the inlets to storage reservoirs was evaluated with a hydropower generation pilot unit installed at Queenswood Reservoir. Although this pilot system was not optimized, the results from the initial runs reflected the benefit and expected return from an investment into hydro-power. The City of Tshwane (CoT) in collaboration with the University of Pretoria (UP) has made history by being the first municipality in South Africa to use hydropower. This technology is aimed at exploring the use of water to generate power that could assist in supplementing the existing supply within a Municipality. The technology assists in reducing the problematic carbon emissions from coal that poses a threat to the environment. The ‘Pressure Hydropower System’ has been installed and integrated at the new site, Pierre van Ryneveld reservoir located in the south-eastern part of the City. When operational, the system will generate about 16 Kilowatts of electricity per hour.

• Start year:
• Type: Technical/Infrastructure investment
• Status: In operation

City of Tshwane has over 1100 000 live vehicle population (eNatis April 2014). This comprises 25% of all vehicles in Gauteng and 10% nationally. Making our transport more environmentally sustainable is an important step towards zero net emissions. The City has invested in 10 electric vehicles incorporated into the corporate fleet. Furthermore, we have erected two solar-powered electric vehicle charging stations. We are also encouraging our City stakeholders to invest in electric vehicle infrastructure. Our first shopping mall, Menlyn Park Shopping Centre, has 8 electric vehicle charging stations available to the public.

• Start year: 2013
• Type: Assessment/Research
• Status: In operation

The foundation of a Mitigation Programme is the development of a Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory referred to as carbon footprint. The City of Tshwane has embarked on a process to publish an annual carbon footprint with the first being the 2012/13 Carbon Footprint. Whilst the 2013/14 and 2014/15 GHGEIs have been completed, the 2014/15 GHGEI has been revised so as to align with the Global Protocol for Community-Scale Greenhouse Gas Emission Inventories (GPC). It has now been confirmed by the C40 Climate Leadership Group that our 2014/15 GHGEI is GPC-compliant. According to this GHGEI, the City emits just over 28 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent stemming from and in order of magnitude electricity, waste and transport. This then guides the activities of the Mitigation Programme as the City aims to reduce emissions stemming from those three sources of activity. The annual updating of the GHGEI is now being undertaken in-house with relevant departments submitting data on a quarterly basis.

• Start year: 2013
• Type: Strategy / Policy
• Status: In operation

The transition to the green economy in the City of Tshwane is guided by the policy framework, A Strategic Framework for the Transition to a Green Economy, approved by Council in 2013. The framework focuses on improving efficiency of natural resource use, improving human well-being, reducing ecological scarcities and enhancing economic growth and poverty reduction. The framework defines the City’s approach to a green economy transition and provides a strategic guide for low-carbon, resource efficient and climate resilient equitable economic development. Effective partnerships between the city and the private sector as well as other agencies and organisations will be critical in securing new green investment opportunities that will reduce the CoT carbon footprint through the improved efficiency in existing high carbon-emitting sectors and ensuring future low-carbon developments as well as innovative approaches and programmes in improving resilience to climate impacts.

• Start year: 2014
• Type: Education/Awareness Raising
• Status: In operation

The Tshwane Green Outreach Programme was launched in 2014 during Sustainability Week, an annual event hosted by the City of Tshwane. This outreach campaign is comprised of six elements targetting particular target audiences: the individual, households, communities, the youth, the business community and the officials working for City of Tshwane. The aim of the outreach is to target unsustainable behaviours and raise awareness about how these can yield more sustainable outcomes.

• Start year: 2013
• Type: Technical / Infrastructural
• Status: In operation

In 2013, the City approved the Green Buildings By-law and which came into effect on 1 July 2013. This led to the development of the Green Buildings programme. As the foundation of the programme is the City’s membership of the Green Building Council of South Africa’s Green Building Council Leadership Network membership after having signed a MOU on 26 May 2015. One of the key aims of the programme is to ensure capacity development of City of Tshwane staff and stakeholders to embrace and apply the principled of green building and the supporting regulatory environment. A hallmark of the Green Building Programme is the development of the municipal headquarters, Tshwane House as a five-star green-rated building, and a symbol of significant inner-city regeneration.

• Start year: 2012
• Type: Regulatory
• Status: In operation

The City Council passed a Green Building By-law in 2013 which was considered a highly progressive move by the municipality especially given the impact that the built environment has on water and energy resources and biodiversity. However, since its promulgation certain obstacles have been encountered that have seen low level compliance with the by-law. Therefore, under the auspices of the City Sustainability Unit, a Green Building committee has been established with relevant departments forming part of the committee to accelerate the review and implementation of the by-law and review of incentives relevant to the by-law.

• Start year: 2014
• Type: Education/Awareness Raising
• Status: In operation

The City of Tshwane has hosted its fourth Sustainability Week Conference which took place from 13 to 15 June 2017 at the CSIR International Convention Centre. This event has created a vibrant platform for 1,700 professionals, practitioners and NGOs from a myriad of disciplines to examine their respective subject areas from a sustainability perspective. The 2017 Chapter has further distinguished itself by co-existing with the third instalment of the African Capital Cities Sustainability Forum which was initiated by the City to stimulate the concept of sustainability Leadership among African Capital Cities. 31 African Capital Cities represented by their Mayors and representatives attended the Forum which culminated in the updating and signature of the Tshwane Declaration Charter on Sustainability Leadership. Having key officials participating in the seminars grounded the discussions in practical reality, and gave a real sense of connection between theory and application. The conference played the role of facilitator in bringing through knowledge sharing, and new ideas and perspectives between civil society organisations, government departments, private sector companies and project funders.

• Start year: 2013
• Type: Policy/Strategies/Action Plans
• Status: Completed

The City has adopted the Tshwane Vision 2055 which reads as follows: In 2055, the City of Tshwane is liveable, resilient and inclusive whose citizens enjoy a high quality of life, have access to social, economic and enhanced political freedoms and where citizens are partners in the development of the African Capital City of excellence.
Tshwane, my City, our Capital

• Start year: 2013
• Type: Education/Awareness Raising
• Status: In operation

Wetlands provide a wealth of ecosystem goods and services that include flood attenuation, water retention and water purification. However, wetlands are under growing threat in the City of Tshwane due to unsustainable land use practices. The loss of wetland ecosystems negatively impacts urban health and wellbeing; degrades water quality and reduces access to open green spaces; and increases flood risk and contributes to the urban heat island effect. In May 2016, the Mayoral Committee approved a wetlands rehabilitation plan approving remedial action for 31 priority wetlands. This has further been endorsed through the development of a Bioregional Plan, which earmarks areas that must be protected from land use development. The aim of the Wetlands Management Plan is to secure each wetland with fencing, place signage at each wetland to create awareness, and invest in pollution traps to prevent any further pollution of the wetlands. The current focus is to seek funding for the implementation of the plan.

• Start year: 2013
• Type: Assessment/Research
• Status: Completed

The aim of the vulnerability and climate risk study is to identify climate hazards and the City’s exposure and sensitivity to these hazards, hence determining climate risks. It simultaneously takes stock of the spatial location of the City’s vulnerable communities as there is a correlation between socio-economic vulnerability and impact of climate hazards. This understanding assists in guiding capital expenditure to ensure that capital investments are directed to areas that are considered highly socially vulnerable. The identification of climate hotspots allows for the development of adaptation options, the design, financing and implementation of which contribute to the building of the resilience of the City. The current vulnerability assessment was conducted in 2014 and concluded in 2015 and a focus is now to build internal capacity to keep the assessment up to date and relevant.