World's tallest wooden building for Norway. Oslo-based Reiulf Ramstad Architects are responsible for the ambitious project, which will be situated in downtown Kirkenes on the historical ground of a multiethnic area. To achieve carbon neutrality, Reiulf Ramstad Architects is relying on integrated systems that also enable it- to adapt to the changing seasons and climate. The firm also plans to reuse biodegradable household and industrial waste to produce biogas. [inhabitat]

Who is the greenest grocer in SA? According to the Sunday Times Top Brands survey, the company that has done the most to promote 'green' in South Africa is Pick n Pay, followed by Woolworths. [the times] [bizcommunity] ...

Spier, why they're so green. Sustainability initiatives under way at Spier include a wastewater treatment plant that cleans and “re-energises” up to 250000l of water per day, the recycling of more than 80% of its solid waste, a waste-plus-worms-equals-compost vermiculture programme, a drive to significantly reduce energy and water consumption, biodynamic farming practices, a biodiversity plan, and conservation programmes in the form of Cheetah Outreach, Eagle Encounters and the eradication of alien vegetation. The company aims to be carbon neutral by 2017. [businessday]

Unethical hen breeder rejected by Woolies & Pick n Pay
Beeld broke the story of an unethical hen breeder under investigation by the NSPCA for a case of cruelty to animals. Former farmworker Kobus van Zyl reckons up to 70 000 day old male chicks are left to die in a discarded cement dam each week. Not surprisingly retailers Woolworths and Pick 'n Pay have taken steps to distance themselves from the breeder which supplies some of their egg suppliers. [m&g]

Govt allows field trials of GM vines
Stellenbosch University researchers have been given the go-ahead to plant genetically modified grapevines in field trials. Researchers want to develop a grapevine that is modified to resist fungal disease. Environmental lobby groups, SafeAge, Earthlife Africa and the African Centre for Biosafety, will appeal to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry against the approval. [iol] via [chicks-dig-scars]