Other initiativesThe projects and initiatives described here are not "current" but but nevertheless form part of EMG's recent history and the issues that raise contribute very much to our thinking and approach. However, if you are interested in our ancient history and archives, click here. Water Dialogues - South AfricaThe Water Dialogues - SA is a self-organising, multi-stakeholder initiative which aims to promote greater understanding of different water and sanitation service delivery models -- how they work, whether they work, and why. The initiative was launched in 2004 as an international project in response to debates around the role of the private sector in water and sanitation provision. South Africa was one of 5 national case-studies (the others being Brazil, Indonesia, the Philippines and Uganda). The South African process launched its final report in November 2009. More... Water LeaksIn hundreds of poor households across the city of Cape Town, household water leaks have lead to unacceptable consumption, unpayable debt and even water cut-offs. In an attempt to develop a community-based solution to this problem, EMG partnered with Ilitha Lomso, WESSA, SAMWU and others in piloting the Water Leaks Project in Khayelitsha in 2004. The pilot project trained 10 young unemployed activists in a range of areas, including the natural water cycle and the need to conserve water, how to read water meters, water pricing and tariffs, basic research methodology, etc. However, the key training was in basic plumbing skills, and the activists were then able to assist householders to identify and fix leaks - and in the process help raise awareness around the issue, and develop community-led solutions. More... Coal Mining in SA - Environmental and social impactsCoal mining, like most other forms of mining has a huge impact on the environment. There are also direct and indirect impacts on society. Usually the argument is that mining's economic benefits far outweigh any environmental or social cost. About 37% of coal burned in The Netherlands is imported from South Africa, and the Dutch government has plans to build more coal-fired powerstations. The Dutch NGO Both ENDS is concerned about the extended global 'footprint' of such a project, and in 2009, commissioned EMG to investigate some of the negative social and environmental impacts of coal mining in South Africa. A copy of the report (307KB) is available here. Similar studies have been conducted in Colombia and Indonesia who also export coal to The Netherlands.
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