A. ASSAf Consensus Study Reports
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In order for ASSAf to fulfil its science advisory role regarding key challenges facing the nation, a variety of consensus and assessment studies are undertaken. Activities are aligned closely with government’s strategic goals. The in-depth Consensus Study Reports are either commissioned by an external funder or generated by a Standing Committee on a specific topic. ASSAf has Standing Committees on Health; Scholarly Publishing in South Africa; Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education; Biosafety and Biosecurity; Humanities; and Science for the Reduction of Poverty and Inequality.
Peer-Review Status: Peer-Reviewed
Enquiries: Susan Veldsman
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Item A Review of Research, Development and Innovation of Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Technologies in South Africa(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2023) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)This report supports the high-level agreement between South Africa (through the DMRE) and the IAEA by providing a solid foundation upon which a national strategic framework on peaceful uses of nuclear technologies in South Africa can be built. The objectives of the study were to review relevant current and historical national policies, plans and strategies; review the national landscape of existing and emerging RDI role players and activities in the country; develop baseline information around the nuclear technology landscape to assist with targets and indicators for monitoring and evaluation; review the Country Programme Framework (CPF) between South Africa and the IAEA and make recommendations on how the IAEA Technical Cooperation Programme could be leveraged to strengthen the nuclear technology sector in South Africa; and make proposals on how to define a South African nuclear technology RDI flagship programme. Characterisation of the needs and gaps contains the following elements: • a brief explanation of the need setting out the context in terms of the severity and relevance. • a strategic objective to be achieved; and • an indicator, or indicators, for the proposed objective. The study was divided into six broad areas, namely: • agriculture and food security, • human health, • radiation protection, • water and environment, • energy and industry, • nuclear safety, security and safeguards.Item Science action plan for shale gas exploration in the Karoo Basin(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2022) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf); South African Academy of Engineering (SAAE)This document presents the response of the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) and the South African Academy of Engineering (SAAE) to a request submitted by the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) for a Science Action Plan (SAP) in support of an emerging shale gas industry in South Africa. As proposed in the DSI Concept Note, a researcher was engaged to develop the draft document, which was compiled jointly by ASSAf and SAAE. The report has clustered the SAP proposals into three groups:Item Second Biennial Report on the State of Climate Science and Technology in South Africa(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2019) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf); Department of Science and Innovation (DSI)This is the second biennial report on the State of Climate Science and Technology in South Africa, commissioned by the Departments of Science and Innovation (DSI) and Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, and compiled by the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf). The first biennial report, completed at the end of 2016, covered the period 2005 – 2015. This second report covered the period of 2016 – 2017.Item The state of research, development and innovation of electrical energy efficiency technologies in South Africa(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2018) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)The focus of this report is on electrical energy efficiency, but it also provides some guidance on how an enhanced focus on tribology may contribute to energy efficiency. Since electricity production consists of a value chain (generation, transmission, distribution and end use), energy efficiency technologies and methods may be applied at each point, resulting in cumulative improvement in the efficiency of the energy system, with subsequently reduced losses and associated financial gains. An overview of the current capabilities, and current and planned energy efficiency technology development and strategies in place in South Africa, enables effective coordination of efforts and improves progress toward mainstreaming energy efficiency in South Africa, whilst simultaneously avoiding duplication of efforts and maximising the use of limited resources. The study aims to inform the Department of Science and Technology (DST) of opportunities for further development in terms of human capital development, intellectual property output and technology development and innovation, in order to promote the adoption of energy efficiency technologies in South Africa.Item First Biennial Report to Cabinet on the State of Climate Change : Science and Technology in South Africa(Academy of Science of South Africa, 2017) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)This report aligns with the Medium-Term Strategic Framework (MTSF) of the government of South Africa, which in turn stems from the work of the National Planning Commission and its National Development Plan (NDP). Outcome 10 of the MTSF calls for a report on the state of climate change science and technology in South Africa to be provided to Cabinet by the DST and the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) every two years. This is the first such report. The report aims to: • provide a critical assessment and comparative overview of climate change scientific research and related technological innovations; • identify any gaps or barriers in research and technology development value chains; • suggest ways to improve the current situation and maximise opportunities for South Africa.Item Preventing a Tobacco Epidemic in Africa(Academy of Science of South Africa, 2014) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)In April 2013, the Network of African Science Academies convened a committee of experts to discuss the evidence, obstacles, and opportunities for implementing and enforcing tobacco use prevention and control policies in Africa. The committee, consisting of 16 experts drawn from 8 countries in Africa, met for 3 days in Kampala, Uganda, with funding administered by the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids. Each distinguished committee member was selected for his or her in-depth tobacco-specific knowledge in areas including agriculture, policy, economics, social science, health, and the environment. The committee reviewed and assessed the evidence on the state of tobacco use and tobacco production and their detrimental health, economic, and environmental effects in Africa. The committee also reviewed efforts currently under way to prevent and control tobacco use, including the status of adoption and ratification of the World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). Based on this evidence, the committee reached consensus on actions that African leaders and other stakeholders should take to combat this growing threat. This report presents the committee’s evidence-based recommendations for tobacco control in Africa. It outlines strategies that should place tobacco control policy on the African leadership agenda, and also calls upon other groups, such as civil society organizations, to share in the responsibility of protecting those most vulnerable to misleading and deceitful messaging by the tobacco industry.Item The State of Green Technologies in South Africa(Academy of Science of South Africa, 2014) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)The report outlines the development, distribution and use of green technologies in energy, water, waste and sanitation in South Africa. Other sectors investigated include industry, mining, agriculture, information and communication technology, health, transport and buildings. The study looked at the South African landscape in terms of policies enabling the development and adoption of green technologies. The report concludes with several recommendations to improve the social and economic environment for research and development in green technologies, and the dissemination and uptake of these technologies. This report is the result of the deliberations of a panel of eight notable South African and international experts in various fields such as water and waste management, energy and mining. The panel was assisted by a number of researchers. In addition, a public workshop entitled ‘Green Technologies: Drivers, Barriers and Gatekeepers’ was also used as a forum to gather information.Item Towards a Low Carbon City: Focus on Durban(Academy of Science of South Africa, 2011) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)This report on Towards a Low Carbon City: Focus on Durban aims to address both mitigation and adaptation opportunities for the city of Durban. The critical issue of transitioning to a low carbon city in the face of serious unemployment and the need for economic development is addressed by emphasising the need to shift to a green economy. The study provides - key overarching recommendations, as well as sector-specific recommendations, which the city needs to address in order to transition to a low carbon city. The recommendations are generally applicable to developing country cities and can be used as a guideline for local governments in other cities. The city of Durban has been a leader in South Africa with regard to climate change adaptation and mitigation initiatives. This study will contribute to the city’s reputation as a leader. The release of the report ahead of the city’s hosting of the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in 2011 is significant and offers Durban an opportunity to establish further its standing amongst global cities.Item The State of Energy Research in South Africa(Academy of Science of South Africa, 2014) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)The report comprises the following: •A synopsis of the current energy research landscape in South Africa with an analysis of the relevant national plans and acts, culminating in an account of expenditure into energy and energy-related research. •The results of a desktop study, aided by a national questionnaire, into the research activities and funding, as well as collaboration networks, related to existing energy research in South Africa. The types of energy forms investigated include: renewable energy, bio-energy, nuclear energy, fossil fuel energy and finally energy efficiency. •A bibliometric investigation into documented output by South African experts and how this compares to global statistics. A close look is provided into which energy forms are being re-searched. • An analysis of the post-graduate output connected to energy and energy-related research. •An analysis of the intellectual property produced by South Africa in fields related to energy, and how this compares to the rest of the world. Given the importance of energy in promoting economic development and contributing towards an improved quality of life, this study on the state of energy research in South Africa was both timely and significant for energy planning in South Africa. The report can be regarded as an important baseline assessment that can inform future energy research investment in South Africa.Item South Africa’s Technical Readiness to Support the Shale Gas Industry(Academy of Science of South Africa, 2016) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)The consensus report titled South Africa’s Technical Readiness to Support the Shale Gas Industry was produced by the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), in collaboration with the South African Academy of Engineering (SAAE). The report details the interventions that are required. The study was commissioned by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) in 2014 and assesses current available information and technologies in the country should shale gas exploitation be implemented to counter energy challenges. The report was considered by Cabinet on 28 September 2016. The report concludes that much needs to be done to put in place a clear legislative environment and a rigorous regulatory and monitoring structure which will ensure that operators, in using their exploration and production licences, apply best-practice technologies that are fully compliant with the rules and regulations governing the industry. It states that decision-making processes on whether or not to proceed with the development of a shale gas industry must be based on robust and peer-reviewed evidence. Recommendations in the report highlight the need for several baseline studies with a view to improving the current understanding of the extent of the shale gas resources and the status of the local environment in which such developments will take place. Celebrating 20 years (1996 – 2016) in the service of society A key recommendation is that relevant departments, with DST oversight, should initiate a major project to undertake, prior to the commencement of shale gas exploration/exploitation, robust multidisciplinary, regional and local baseline studies. A major priority for the technical readiness of South Africa to implement a shale gas industry is the need to establish processes to continuously and accurately monitor key factors which will impact on the sustainability of the industry. Another requirement is that interventions are made to ensure that the requisite skills and infrastructure required to implement such an industry are available. The Hydraulic Fracturing Monitoring Committee is encouraged to take immediate steps to establish a new, or strengthen an existing, government agency whose overall function is, inter alia, to enable and facilitate the development of the shale gas industry in South Africa. Assessment of the economic implications of shale gas development for South Africa must be undertaken to critically assess the supply-demand situation, and comprehensive public consultation and engagement processes with local communities in the Karoo are emphasised. Of major importance to South Africa’s groundbreaking scientific endeavours on the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project, the report recommends that any legislation that is introduced to have oversight of the shale gas industry must be fully aligned with the Astronomy Geographic Advantage Act, and that no hydraulic fracturing should take place within a 30 km buffer zone of an SKA site.