Though numbers don’t tell the whole story, these ones offer a snapshot of some of our key achievements:
Households surveys conducted
Household-level interventions
Fruit trees planted
Gold Standard carbon credits issued
Behind every project are the people whose lives it touches. These are their words – firsthand insights from the communities we work with.
We are used to attending training workshops, but not like this one. I did not even think even a little bit that we would be trained about climate change content and the environmental issues. It was fruitful. I have learned a lot and I think I will definitely implement it.
People will be always yelling and having quarrels and stuff. That the dogs are tearing up plastics and stuff and throwing out things. So, the relationship is healthy since we have the dustbins. So, the relationship is healthier than before.
This project has made a very huge difference in the community. Now it is always clean and there is no dirt. Now when we walk in the streets there are no longer a lot of plastics.
The trees help us a lot. We no longer struggle. Sometimes when the children are hungry they eat the fruit from the tree and these fruit also helps our bodies to get vitamins.
There is so much change because we would burn the waste and have chest problems but now since we are not burning waste, we no longer have chest problems.
Yes, it did because even the neighbours don’t complain any more about the smoke entering in their houses or causing their clothes on the washing line to smell bad. So, now it’s easy because there is nothing that needs to be burned.
Now if a person comes and sees a paper, they just pick it up and put it in the bin. Back then when a person saw a paper, they would just leave it there because they would be lazy to pick it up.
Then we were using the paraffin stove when we switch it on flames would come out and we sit in the house while the stove is on – our eyes would be painful. But with the new stove we don’t experience those things.
It feels good when Nova comes to visit us. I am happy to show them what my hands have done.
Senior Engineer, Generation Environmental Management, Eskom
Nova has been instrumental in shaping the foundation of South Africa’s Air Quality Offset regime, demonstrating exceptional expertise in social innovation and environmental sustainability. Their pioneering work in pre-feasibility and pilot studies laid the groundwork for Eskom’s Air Quality Offset Program, which has since expanded to mitigate household emissions and improve air quality in impacted communities. Nova’s innovative and community-centered approach has significantly influenced the way air quality offsets are implemented, ensuring both scientific rigor and social impact. Their contributions continue to serve as a benchmark for collaborative environmental solutions in South Africa
PhD (Preventive and Social Medicine) Chief Specialist Scientist: Environment and Health Research Unit Lead: Climate Change and Human Health Research Programme South African Medical Research Council
My experience working with NOVA has been incredible from the start. Their attention to detail, understanding of the scientific process while being respectful of the people with whom we engage is highly appreciated. I have complete trust in the work that NOVA does for me and my team.
Senior Project Controller, Sasol Technology
I started working with NOVA INSTITUTE from 2017. The team comprises of honest, professional , dedicated and kind people who are willing to go an extra mile to help the project achieve our goals. Their network is surpassing me. The implementation team made our lives easier because of the knowledge of the different departments and their interaction with different stakeholders, including DEFF.
The interaction with the communities where they operate is sound and they understand how to interact with the community. Their involvement with the workforce which includes the communities they are operating in, make their working ways easier and enhance the synergies between them and the community.
Response Lead – SHE Strategy, Policy & Sustainability, Sasol Risk and SHE Centre
It has been an honour to work with such an expert, noble and science-based organisation as yourselves.