Academic literature on the topic 'Greenhouse gases - Environmental aspects - South Africa'
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Journal articles on the topic "Greenhouse gases - Environmental aspects - South Africa"
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Gatti Domingues, Lucas, Luciana Vanni Gatti, Afonso Aquino, Alber Sánchez, Caio Correia, Manuel Gloor, Wouter Peters, et al. "A New Background Method for Greenhouse Gases Flux Calculation Based in Back-Trajectories Over the Amazon." Atmosphere 11, no. 7 (July 10, 2020): 734. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/atmos11070734.
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The large amount of carbon stored in trees and soils of the Amazon rain forest is under pressure from land use as well as climate change. Therefore, various efforts to monitor greenhouse gas exchange between the Amazon forest and the atmosphere are now ongoing, including regular vertical profile (surface to 4.5 km) greenhouse gas measurements across the Amazon. These profile measurements can be used to calculate fluxes to and from the rain forest to the atmosphere at large spatial scales by considering the enhancement or depletion relative to the mole fraction of air entering the Amazon basin from the Atlantic, providing an important diagnostic of the state, changes and sensitivities of the forests. Previous studies have estimated greenhouse gas mole fractions of incoming air (‘background’) as a weighted mean of mole fractions measured at two background sites, Barbados (Northern Hemisphere) and Ascension (Southern hemisphere) in the Tropical Atlantic, where the weights were based on sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) measured locally (in the Amazon vertical profiles) and at the two background sites. However, this method requires the accuracy and precision of SF6 measurements to be significantly better than 0.1 parts per trillion (picomole mole−1), which is near the limit for the best SF6 measurements and assumes that there are no SF6 sources in the Amazon basin. We therefore present here an alternative method. Instead of using SF6, we use the geographical position of each air-mass back-trajectory when it intersects the limit connecting these two sites to estimate contributions from Barbados versus Ascension. We furthermore extend the approach to include an observation site further south, Cape Point, South Africa. We evaluate our method using CO2 vertical profile measurements at a coastal site in Brazil comparing with values obtained using this method where we find a high correlation (r2 = 0.77). Similarly, we obtain good agreement for CO2 background when comparing our results with those based on SF6, for the period 2010–2011 when the SF6 measurements had excellent precision and accuracy. We also found high correspondence between the methods for background values of CO, N2O and CH4. Finally, flux estimates based on our new method agree well with the CO2 flux estimates for 2010 and 2011 estimated using the SF6-based method. Together, our findings suggest that our trajectory-based method is a robust new way to derive background air concentrations for the purpose of greenhouse gas flux estimation using vertical profile data.
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Pillay, Suren, and Pieter W. Buys. "Climate Change: A Comparison Of Market-Based Instruments From A South African Perspective." International Business & Economics Research Journal (IBER) 12, no. 4 (March 27, 2013): 457. http://dx.doi.org/10.19030/iber.v12i4.7744.
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This article aims to consider the relevancy of (i) cap-and-trade schemes and (ii) carbon tax schemes in a developing economy context. Even though both schemes have a common goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, they operate very differently, each with their own set of advantages and disadvantages. Sustainable developments comprise various elements categorised in three primary dimensions environmental, economic and social. The objective of reducing greenhouse gases via the implementation of carbon tax or cap-and-trade schemes primarily addresses the environmental dimension of sustainable development. Notwithstanding the aforementioned, the impact of both schemes on the economically sustainable development, including industry competitiveness and growth, still has to be determined. In South Africa, the National Treasury made a decision to implement carbon tax as opposed to cap-and-trade schemes. In this article, the reasoning behind their decision in favour of carbon tax in the South African context is critically considered, firstly by evaluating the key characteristics between cap-and-trade and carbon tax schemes and secondly by considering the effectiveness hereof in the global context. It was found primary reason behind the favourable consideration of carbon tax was the fact the implementation thereof would be simpler using the existing taxation systems, whereas cap-and-trade would require the implementation of sophisticated mechanisms that may not provide the optimum benefit in a developing economy context.
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Gathany, Mark A., and Ingrid C. Burke. "Post-fire soil fluxes of CO2, CH4 and N2O along the Colorado Front Range." International Journal of Wildland Fire 20, no. 7 (2011): 838. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wf09135.
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Wildfires affect Rocky Mountain ecosystems across a wide range of spatial and temporal scales. Many of the resulting changes are greatest for environmental factors, such as substrate and microclimate that control exchanges of greenhouse gases. We investigated this link to understand how time since fire influences the cycling of these gases through ponderosa pine forests. We measured and compared trace gas flux rates between recently burned sites and topographical aspects (north- and south-facing slopes). We calculated the ability of five factors (soil temperature, soil moisture, fire severity, aspect and time since fire) to describe the variability in the flux rates. Our study revealed that carbon dioxide (CO2) fluxes were significantly different between sites; however, methane (CH4) uptake was not different between sites or aspects. Nitrous oxide (N2O) fluxes had a significant interaction between site and aspect. Using a likelihood approach, we determined the strength of support in the data for model combinations of five variables. Of these, the single variable models soil moisture, time since fire and severity best described the CO2, CH4, and N2O flux data respectively. Our data show that following a forest fire in the Colorado Front Range, >98% of the global warming potential of the measured soil–atmosphere fluxes is contributed by the soil CO2 flux.
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Li, Danny H. W., and Tony N. T. Lam. "Determining the Optimum Tilt Angle and Orientation for Solar Energy Collection Based on Measured Solar Radiance Data." International Journal of Photoenergy 2007 (2007): 1–9. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2007/85402.
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A prior requirement to the design of any solar-based conversion systems is the knowledge of optimum orientation and tilt surface at which peak solar energy can be collected. In many parts of the world, however, the solar radiation data for the surfaces of interest are not always available. This paper presents a numerical approach to calculate the solar radiation on sloped planes by integrating the measured sky radiance distributions. The annual total solar yield at different sloped surfaces facing various orientations and monthly solar radiations at the optimal tilt surface and three vertical planes facing east, south, and west were determined. The energy outputs and efficiencies were simulated using a computer package. The environmental benefits in terms of greenhouse gases reductions and cost implications were also considered. The findings provide technical information for engineers to design and evaluate photovoltaic (PV) systems which could contribute to the environmental, energy, and economic aspects.
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Pillay, Suren, and Pieter Buys. "Investigating the impact of carbon tax on socially responsible corporate governance: The case of South African motor vehicle manufacturers." Corporate Ownership and Control 12, no. 2 (2015): 128–34. http://dx.doi.org/10.22495/cocv12i2p10.
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Socially responsible corporate governance is an essential aspect of the contemporary corporate environment, and then especially in ensuring continuous sustainable development within a South African context. As such, it also encompasses broad environmentally focused aspects. The motor vehicle manufacturing industry in South Africa was among the first to be faced with the implementation of carbon taxes. This paper explores the policy decision to implement the carbon tax within the context of socially responsible governance in the motor vehicle manufacturing industry. The research methodology applied incorporates both review of supporting literature and an exploratory empirical case study. The research suggests that the industry is cognizant of the importance of environmental damage costs and their responsibility therein, while also indicating that corporate social investment in this industry was non-responsive to the implementation to carbon tax. The results also suggest that the current carbon tax rate may be adequately priced and is an effective instrument in lowering greenhouse gas emissions
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Scholtz, MM, HC Schönfeldt, FWC Neser, and GM Schutte. "Research and development on climate change and greenhouse gases in support of climate-smart livestock production and a vibrant industry." South African Journal of Animal Science 44, no. 5 (January 19, 2015): 1–7. http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/sajas.v44i5.1.
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Climate change represents a feedback-loop in which livestock production both contributes to the problem and suffers from the consequences. The impact of global warming and continued, uncontrolled release of greenhouse gasses (GHG) has twofold implications for the livestock industry, and consequently food security. Firstly, the continuous increase in ambient temperature is predicted to have a direct effect on the animal, as well as on food and nutrition security, due to changes associated with temperature itself, relative humidity, rainfall distribution in time and space, altered disease distribution, changes in the ecosystem and biome composition. Secondly, the responsibility of livestock production is to limit the release of greenhouse gases (GHG) or the carbon footprint, in order to ensure future sustainability. This can be done by implementing new or adapted climate-smart production systems, the use of known and new technologies to turn waste into assets, and by promoting sustainable human diets with low environmental impacts. The following elements, which are related to livestock production and climate change, are discussed in this paper: (1) restoring the value of grasslands/rangelands, (2) pastoral risk management and decision support systems, (3) improved production efficiency, (4) global warming and sustainable livestock production, (5) the disentanglement between food and nutritional needs, focusing on nutrient rich core foods, (6) GHG from livestock and carbon sequestration, and (7) water and waste management. No single organization (or industry) within South Africa can perform this research and the implementation thereof on its own. The establishment of a (virtual) centre of excellence in climate-smart livestock production and the environment for the livestock industries, with the objective to share research expertise and information, build capacity and conduct research and development studies, should be a priority.Keywords: Food and nutrition, global warming, production efficiency, rangeland, water, waste
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Kobayashi, Mutsuo, Osamu Komagata, and Naoko Nihei. "Global Warming and Vector-borne Infectious Diseases." Journal of Disaster Research 3, no. 2 (April 1, 2008): 105–12. http://dx.doi.org/10.20965/jdr.2008.p0105.
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Vector-borne diseases result from infections transmitted to humans by blood-feeding arthropods such as mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas. Such cold-blooded animals are influenced by environmental change. A recent IPCC report clearly showed that the emission of greenhouse gases has already changed world climates. Heat waves in Europe, rises in global mean sea level, summer droughts and wild fires, more intense precipitation, and increasing numbers of large cyclones and hurricanes may be typical example of extreme climate phenomena related to global warming. High temperatures may increase survival among arthropods, depending on their vector, behavior, ecology, and valuable factors, and temperate zone warming may accelerate the spread of mosquitoes such asAedes albopictus. The MIROK (K1) Model clearly shows a northern limit forAe.albopictus, particularly in northern Honshu in 2035 and southern and middle Hokkaido Island in 2100 in Japan. The spread of the mosquito vector through global used-tire trading in recent decades to Africa, the Mideast, Europe, and North and South America caused an outbreak of Chikungunya fever in north Italy in 2007. Global warming, extreme climate change, changing physical distribution, and an increase in oversea travel are also expected to influence the epidemiology of vector-borne infectious diseases.
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Schoeman, Yolandi, Paul Oberholster, and Vernon Somerset. "A Zero-Waste Multi-Criteria Decision-Support Model for the Iron and Steel Industry in Developing Countries: A Case Study." Sustainability 13, no. 5 (March 5, 2021): 2832. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su13052832.
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The iron and steel industry is a major global industry that consumes vast quantities of energy and causes environmental degradation through greenhouse gas emissions and industrial waste generation, treatment, and disposal. There is a need to manage complex iron and steel industrial waste in Africa, which requires a system engineering approach to zero waste management as informed by multi-criteria decision-making. The purpose of the current study was to develop a hybrid four-step multi-criteria decision-support model, the i-ZEWATA (Industrial Zero Waste Tiered Analysis). I-ZEWATA acts as a road map to understand, design, assess, and evaluate the iron and steel industrial waste systems with the ultimate objective of moving towards and achieving a zero-waste footprint. The results demonstrate that iron and steel waste can be identified, visualized, prioritized, and managed to promote zero-waste by applying a system-engineered approach. Additionally, relationship patterns to environmental, social, operational, and economic aspects with system behavioral patterns and outcomes were identified. It was clear from the case study in South Africa that, although technology and solution investment is essential, waste management, valorization, and treatment components require a concerted effort to improve industrial waste operational management through effective zero-waste decision-support towards a circular economy.
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Alexe, M., P. Bergamaschi, A. Segers, R. Detmers, A. Butz, O. Hasekamp, S. Guerlet, et al. "Inverse modelling of CH<sub>4</sub> emissions for 2010–2011 using different satellite retrieval products from GOSAT and SCIAMACHY." Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics 15, no. 1 (January 9, 2015): 113–33. http://dx.doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-113-2015.
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Abstract. At the beginning of 2009 new space-borne observations of dry-air column-averaged mole fractions of atmospheric methane (XCH4) became available from the Thermal And Near infrared Sensor for carbon Observations–Fourier Transform Spectrometer (TANSO-FTS) instrument on board the Greenhouse Gases Observing SATellite (GOSAT). Until April 2012 concurrent {methane (CH4) retrievals} were provided by the SCanning Imaging Absorption spectroMeter for Atmospheric CartograpHY (SCIAMACHY) instrument on board the ENVironmental SATellite (ENVISAT). The GOSAT and SCIAMACHY XCH4 retrievals can be compared during the period of overlap. We estimate monthly average CH4 emissions between January 2010 and December 2011, using the TM5-4DVAR inverse modelling system. In addition to satellite data, high-accuracy measurements from the Cooperative Air Sampling Network of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Earth System Research Laboratory (NOAA ESRL) are used, providing strong constraints on the remote surface atmosphere. We discuss five inversion scenarios that make use of different GOSAT and SCIAMACHY XCH4 retrieval products, including two sets of GOSAT proxy retrievals processed independently by the Netherlands Institute for Space Research (SRON)/Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), and the University of Leicester (UL), and the RemoTeC "Full-Physics" (FP) XCH4 retrievals available from SRON/KIT. The GOSAT-based inversions show significant reductions in the root mean square (rms) difference between retrieved and modelled XCH4, and require much smaller bias corrections compared to the inversion using SCIAMACHY retrievals, reflecting the higher precision and relative accuracy of the GOSAT XCH4. Despite the large differences between the GOSAT and SCIAMACHY retrievals, 2-year average emission maps show overall good agreement among all satellite-based inversions, with consistent flux adjustment patterns, particularly across equatorial Africa and North America. Over North America, the satellite inversions result in a significant redistribution of CH4 emissions from North-East to South-Central United States. This result is consistent with recent independent studies suggesting a systematic underestimation of CH4 emissions from North American fossil fuel sources in bottom-up inventories, likely related to natural gas production facilities. Furthermore, all four satellite inversions yield lower CH4 fluxes across the Congo basin compared to the NOAA-only scenario, but higher emissions across tropical East Africa. The GOSAT and SCIAMACHY inversions show similar performance when validated against independent shipboard and aircraft observations, and XCH4 retrievals available from the Total Carbon Column Observing Network (TCCON).
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Phasha, Lethabo, Gomotsegang F. Molelekwa, Matlou I. Mokgobu, Thabiso J. Morodi, Michael M. Mokoena, and Lutendo S. Mudau. "Influence of cultural practices on food waste in South Africa—a review." Journal of Ethnic Foods 7, no. 1 (October 1, 2020). http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s42779-020-00066-0.
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Abstract Background, aim, and objectives The purpose of the review is to assess the cultural practices and its influence on food waste in South Africa. Furthermore, it explores the reasons for food waste by looking at different cultural practice of various ethnic groups in South Africa. The growing concern of the challenges of waste on human health and the environment has pressured the world to come up with drastic measures on how to manage waste to reduce both environmental and public health impacts. One of the concerns is that food waste has become one of the main contributors to increased greenhouse gas emissions. However, South Africa does not have stringent measures to control or reduce food waste in its communities. Methods An extensive online search was conducted to assess the influence of culture on food waste in South Africa and explore how other countries’ cultural practices contribute to food waste. Information was retrieved from online reports, journals, and books. Results and conclusions The studies showed a diversity of cultures and practices in South Africa compared to other countries. For example, in affluent countries where food is available in large quantities, cultural practices have a major influence on food waste. Moreover, some studies highlighted the fact that even though most developing countries are overwhelmed by poor people, many of whom live below the poverty line, food waste is also a challenge. In South Africa, food waste generated during social activities that are related to cultural practices remains a serious challenge. This is because during the cultural and social events, food is prepared in large quantities, which ends up not being wholly consumed and resulting in an increase in food waste that gets disposed of at the landfill sites. The government of South Africa must institute awareness raising measures to inform communities to avoid or reduce the generation of food waste. This would reduce the emission of greenhouse gases and environmental impact, and to protect human health.
Dissertations / Theses on the topic "Greenhouse gases - Environmental aspects - South Africa"
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Tondhlana, Lawrence. "Factors affecting environmental sustainability of the downstream oil industry in Western Cape, South Africa." Thesis, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11838/2709.
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Thesis (MTech (Business Administration))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2018.The oil industry has been a major contributor to economic development in many countries; providing jobs, revenue, infrastructure and businesses to third parties. However, this development has also come with adversity on the physical environment. The oil industry accounts for the highest Green House Gas (GHG) emissions in the world, making it the number one polluter. In addition, South Africa has been regarded as the biggest polluter in Africa, with fossil-based fuel cited as the major cause of environmental degradation. South Africa’s physical environment is also cited as having degraded more than most countries in Africa. This proposition requires players in the oil industry to urgently address this situation. As the future of economic development is likely to be spearheaded by the oil industry, concerns have been raised at the slow rate of addressing oil companies’ operations which causes the environment to be less sustainable. This study uses a qualitative content analysis to explore the oil companies’ actions towards addressing environmental adversity caused by their unsustainable operations. In order to be environmental sustainable, oil companies must; incorporate environmental sustainability into missions and visions, financial investment into sustainable initiatives, involve top management in environmental programs, engage stakeholder, comply and align organisational processes and operations with environmental legislations and introducing renewable energy.
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Wilson, Craig Michael. "Barriers and drivers to the implementation of the "clean development mechanism" within the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality: a case study." Thesis, Rhodes University, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003851.
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The global threat of climate change is one of the most crucial environmental issues facing the world in modern times. In response to this threat, international governments have drafted the Kyoto Protocol which included the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). The CDM is a scheme which invited developing countries, like South Africa, to become involved in climate change mitigation projects. While South Africa has been identified as an attractive host country for CDM projects, research has revealed that it lags behind other developing countries in this regard. This study provides a theoretical background to the CDM and grounds the subject within the field of Environmental Economics. Following a literature review of factors that could influence the involvement of a municipality in CDM projects, this thesis undertook a case study of the barriers and drivers to CDM implementation within the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM). Use was made of semi-structured interviews, where a questionnaire was used to guide the researcher’s interview process. Five NMBM officers, who were likely to have been involved with CDM project implementation, were interviewed. Data collected was analyzed using a coding technique and was compared and contrasted to the literature in a process of explanation building. It was possible to elicit 14 factors that acted as CDM-barriers; seven that acted as CDM-drivers; and 10 that were required to change within the NMBM to encourage greater CDM involvement. Of the barriers, lack of awareness, poor political will and lack of funding emerged as the most inhibiting. Of the CDM-drivers, the potential financial benefits; ownership of infrastructure capable of producing carbon assets; and technology transfer emerged as the factors most likely to promote CDM involvement. With regards the factors that require change, it emerged that a positive response would result from a proactive stance by National Government on the CDM; the use of Public-Private-Partnerships to facilitate CDM projects; and improved communication and capacity building within the NMBM and the Nelson Mandela Bay business community. The main recommendation offered to the NMBM was for it to draft a Sustainable Development Policy as well as a formal sustainable development strategy to drive a coherent and consolidated approach to the Municipality’s involvement with CDM projects. Further, it was proposed that the NMBM should, lobby National Government for it to promulgate enabling legislation and a framework which would encourage CDM investment in South Africa; and engage with local business to promote the active involvement of the Nelson Mandela Bay with the implementation of CDM projects. Keywords: Global Warming, Kyoto Protocol, Clean Development Mechanism, Sustainable Development, Environmental Economics, Public Sector, Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality.
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Okoli, Nwakego Joy. "The slow adoption of telecommuting in South Africa." Thesis, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11838/2424.
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Thesis (MTech (Information Technology))--Cape Peninsula University, 2016.Climate change imposes indisputable burdens on economic development by significantly causing damage to the environment. In the transportation sector, carbon dioxide emissions from vehicles are seen as top environmental pollutants around the world and in South Africa. Despite increasing environmental issues, many people, including business leaders, generally think of environmental issues as disconnected from their everyday business lives and behavioural patterns. The Republic of South Africa as a member of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) encourages any practices and processes that will control, reduce or prevent anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases. The adoption of telecommuting for travel reduction can impact positively on environmental sustainability by reducing the amount of commuter driving and thus reducing carbon emissions. Telecommuting is an arrangement where an employee works from home or out of office using telecommunication links (internet, email and/or telephone) to reduce commuting to and from the office, enhance productivity in the organisation, and reduce office space requirements. However, despite the well documented benefits of telecommuting, the uptake of telecommuting in South Africa is slow. This study falls under the Green Information Technology research field. The aim of the study is to identify the reasons behind the slow adoption of telecommuting in South African organisations. The study followed embedded multiple-case studies. Qualitative data were collected from nine companies using semi-structured interviews with 19 participants comprising of Information Technology (IT) and Human Resource (HR) managers, telecommuters and non-telecommuters. The companies were selected to be as diverse as possible in the operating sector and both purposive and snowball strategies were used.
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Smit, Jacobus Johannes. "The carbon footprint of the South African Police Service as a benchmark for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and improvement of energy efficiency and the identification and elimination of barriers in these processes." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/80786.
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Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2011.The world as we know it is in a warming cycle. The rate of warming is being exacerbated by human activity; more specifically, the burning of fossil fuels to power expanding economies. Awareness that something must be done before a catastrophic point of no return is reached, has become more urgent. Before any strategies can be developed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the levels must be accurately measured to provide a benchmark and to determine reduction targets. The determination of an organisation’s carbon footprint is thus the starting point of the whole process. When the carbon footprint is known, various strategies can be implemented to reduce the carbon footprint. South Africa is classified as a developing country and is not required to comply with greenhouse gas reduction targets under the Kyoto Protocol. This may change at any time in the future and it is therefore necessary to be ready when targets become compulsory. The general public is not knowledgeable about global warming. All of these factors need to change to provide impetus to reduction strategies. The South African Police Service (SAPS) is one of the largest government departments and is situated in nearly every town in South Africa. The SAPS is thus in a position to provide leadership in government and in communities on issues like global warming. The carbon footprint of the SAPS has been calculated as prescribed by the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (2011). As a service organisation, the SAPS does not have industrial processes that may be the source of large quantities of greenhouse gases. In this research study, Scope 1 and scope 2 emissions were calculated and possible mitigation options are proposed. A survey conducted among a specific target group has indicated a general understanding of the concept of climate change. The respondents have difficulty in establishing a connection between climate change and increased crime levels. Behavioural change and education are necessary to promote a culture of energy efficiency and a reduction of greenhouse gases. Leadership is seen as an inhibiting factor, as top management does not consider global warming to be an influencing factor on crime levels. Government must provide strong leadership and formulate climate change strategies. Funding can be generated with carbon tax and emissions trading. On departmental level the energy efficiency of buildings can be improved and alternative fuels for vehicles be used.
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Mahlati, Andile. "Evaluating current energy management strategy : case study of an automotive manufacturer in the Eastern Cape." Thesis, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1017152.
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Historically, the most frequently used energy sources have been those nearest and easiest to consume. Unfortunately, society’s reliance on fossil fuel for power generation has occurred at the expense of the environment, coal being a major contribution to carbon dioxide (CO2) emission. Carbon dioxide is classified as a greenhouse gas (GHG); it contributes to the phenomenon of climate change (Haw & Hughes, 2007, p.1). According to Worrell (2011), industry uses nearly 40 percent of worldwide energy on economic activities. Value chain activities alone contribute almost 37 percent to global GHG. Organisations are socially and ethically required to minimise the carbon footprint of their operations. Reducing energy use makes perfect business sense; it saves money, enhances corporate reputations and helps everyone participate the fight against climate change (Carbon Trust, 2011). Gielen, Newman, and Patel (2008) strongly believe the overall energy and emissions trends can be mitigated through additional energy efficiency measures. However, implementing EnMS will enable organisations to establish systematic approaches and the processes necessary to improve energy performance, including energy efficiency, use and consumption (SANS 50001, 2011). The objective of this paper was to evaluate the current energy management strategy adopted by selected automotive manufacture in Eastern Cape. The research was motivated by the fact that previous researchers have focused more on technological aspects and less of management functions. The research paradigm followed in this paper was qualitative because a case study is used to gain an insight and understanding about more and less successful energy management strategies. In this report, background about the global energy outlook and its significant to economic development, factors behind energy demands, the link to climate change and providing effective energy management principles are covered. The energy management principles covered key elements for delivering successful energy management. Literature highlighted that, senior management commitment is the foundation of good energy management, which is delivered through a formal energy policy and a supporting energy strategy with action plan. High level commitment will provide: Advocacy from senior managers; Visibility of the issues across your organization; Impetus for the organisation to implement energy management; Resources, both human and financial. It will also demonstrate that good energy management is part of your organisation’s mission and as relevant as other management aspects. The empirical study is focused on the characteristics of the current management system and organisational structure employed with its relevant functions. Based on these reference points the paper concludes with recommendations for the case study organisation.
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Lukama, Beatice M. K. "Effects of gaseous emissions from the Namakwa Sands Mineral Separation Plant near Lutzville on the adjacent succulent Karoo vegetation : a pilot study." Thesis, Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2006. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/2041.
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Thesis (MSc (Conservation Ecology and Entomology)--University of Stellenbosch, 2006.A pilot study was conducted at the Namakwa Sands Mineral Separation Plant, to investigate the effects of acidic gaseous emissions from the Mineral Separation Plant on the adjacent Succulent Karoo vegetation. Sulphuric acid fumes, a major gaseous emission of the mineral processing, was the subject of investigation of the present study, due to the potential high negative impact of elevated concentrations thereof on vegetation in the ecosystem. Permanent sample plots along three transects radiating from the Mineral Separation Plant were laid out in the eastern, south-eastern and southern directions following the prevailing wind directions and practical consideration of land accessibility. The ecological components assessed as indicators of possible pollution levels in the environment included percentage plant mortality, foliar sulphur content of selected plant species, chemical composition of solubles in mist and dust samples, and soil pH. In addition, the vegetation was screened for plant species suitable to be used as potential bioindicators. Potential bioindicator plant species were selected on the basis of their relatively wide distribution in the study area and apparent sensitivity to the ambient air pollutants. The percentage of dead plants of each species that occurred on the sample plots was used as a criterion of the possible sensitivity of the plant species towards air pollution. The bioindicator plant species selected for potential monitoring purposes were: Galenia fruticosa, Lampranthus suavissimus, Lycium ferocissimum and a Ruschia sp. (SP 9). Plant mortality was greater nearer the emission source, with 28 + 5 % dead plants at 400 m, 19 + 6 % at 800 m and only 10 + 4 % at 1,200 m from the Mineral Separation Plant. Data summed for all species recorded and pooled for all three transects per sampling distance. With the methods used in this study, in the case of all sample plots on the three transects, no significant difference was found between the mean pH values of soil samples collected from open spaces without plant cover (8.01 + 0.46) and those collected underneath shrubs (8.91 + 0.96). Subsequently only the pH values of soil samples collected on open spaces were used to investigate the variation in soil acidity with distance and direction from the emission source. The means represent total number of samples from open space versus those collected from underneath shrubs. The pH of soil samples increased with distance from the emission source along the transects to the south and south-east of the emission source. Eastward of the emission source, soil pH values remained relatively low at all sample distances. This pilot study could not determine whether the continuous acidity of the soil along the eastern transect in the direction of the prevailing wind, was caused by increased deposition of gaseous emissions on the higher lying hilly terrain in this area, or by the underlying geology. Ion chromatographic analysis of mist and dust samples collected on each sample plot indicated the presence of several chemicals that had probably originated from the gaseous emissions from the Mineral Separation Plant as well as wind blown constituents from the adjacent surroundings of the sample plots. Of these chemicals, only the sulphate concentrations of the mist and dust samples were further evaluated, since that could be related to the emission of sulphuric acid fumes by the Mineral Separation Plant. Results indicated that the mean sulphate concentration of mist and dust samples collected from sample plots relatively close to the Mineral Separation Plant, 118.8 + 31.6 mg/litre (400 m), were higher than further afield, decreasing to 57 + 30.1 mg/litre at 800 m and 43.1 + 19.6 mg/litre at 1,200 m. These values, representing the mean sulphate concentrations of mist and dust samples at each sampling distance (data of the three transects pooled), differ significantly at the 85 % confidence level. Statistical evaluation of the data of the mist and dust pH measurements, pooled for the three transects on the basis of distance, indicated a gradual increase of the mean values from 400 m (7.3 + 0.26), through 800 m (7.7 + 0.34), to 1,200 m (8.2 + 0.83), although these values were not significantly different. A decreasing trend in accordance with that in the case of the sulphate concentrations of mist and dust samples with distance from the mineral processing plant, was also observed in the sulphur content of the leaves of selected plant species, with mean sulphur content higher at 400 m sampling distance (0.29 + 0.091 %) than at 800 m (0.264 + 0.086 %) and a further decline at 1,200 m (0.232 + 0.079 %), data of the three transects pooled. However, these values were also not significantly different. Although not significantly so, the decreasing trend in the results of the sulphate concentration of mist and dust samples, the sulphur content of plant leaf samples as well as plant mortality observed, and increasing soil pH values with distance from the Mineral Separation Plant, suggest that the gaseous emissions from the Mineral Separation Plant could probably have had a detrimental effect on the adjacent Succulent Karoo vegetation. A more detailed study is necessary to confirm this trend. In addition it is recommended that in order to clarify the soil pH measurements outcome along the eastern transect that were contradicted by the results of the mist and dust pH measurements, a more intensive survey over a greater distance (at least further than 1.2 km from the Mineral Separation Plant), be conducted to quantify vegetation damage and acid deposition to the east of the emission source.
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Tongwane, Mphethe Isaac. "Transport sector greenhouse gas inventory for South Africa for the base year 2009." Thesis, 2014.
Find full textAbstract:
e transport sector is responsible for a quarter of global CO2 emissions and the emissions continue to grow rapidly. The overall objective of this study was to calculate the following greenhouse gas emissions (GHG); CO2, CH4 and N2O from the transport sector in South Africa in the base year 2009. However, in addition to the calculations of the emissions for this base year, emissions from road transport were recalculated since 2000. The available data allowed only Tier 1 method to calculate all the GHG emissions. Vehicles per type, province and distances they travelled were used to estimate the emissions, while fuel used at various airports in the country was used to determine aviation emissions. Emissions from other modes of the transport sector were calculated using the data from the national energy balances. It was estimated that 54,296 Giga grams (Gg) of CO2 equivalent (CO2-eq) emissions were emitted in 2009. Road, off- road, aviation and rail transports accounted for 80%, 13%, 6% and 1% of the emissions, respectively. Motorcars and trucks produced more than 70% of the road transport emissions. Road transport emissions increased at approximately 2.66% per year between 2000 and 2009. Gauteng province had the highest emissions. Minibus taxis were the most efficient transport mode on the basis of load carried.
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Newmarch, Jocelyn. "Does money grow on trees? : the role of climate change finance in South Africa." Thesis, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10539/13177.
Full textAbstract:
Rapid, human-forced climate change as a result of greenhouse gases is threatening the fabric of
human civilisation itself. It is clear that we need to alter our development and poorer countries
will need to develop while limiting their emissions, but it is not clear what sustainable
development would entail. Climate change policy solutions have pivoted on carbon trading,
under the auspices of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), but this too has failed to limit
growth in carbon emissions. This report looks at the operations of the CDM in South Africa as a
source of climate finance meant to facilitate sustainable development. Though South Africa has
emphasised its commitment towards a low-carbon transition, in practice its national planners
seek to preserve energy-intensive mineral and industrial sectors. This research draws on both
primary and secondary documents as well as interviews with carbon professionals to conclude
that CDM projects have played a limited role in South Africa, but has tended to reproduce the
existing minerals and energy complex within the country.
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Maseko, Lucky Albert. "Methane emissions assessment in South African coal mines and their potential utilizations." Thesis, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10539/11986.
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Njoku, Prince Obinna. "Estimation of the emissions of gases from a two landfill sites using the LandGEM and Afvalzorg models: Case study of the Weltervenden (Polokwane) and Thohoyandou landfills." Diss., 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/11602/1249.
Full textAbstract:
MENVSCDepartment of Ecology and Resource Management
Over the years it has been observed that the solid waste sector has been an increasingly major contributor to the amount of Greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere. To some extent a great chunk of these GHGs in the atmosphere is from Landfill gas (LFG). This study employs two theoretical models (LandGEM and Afvalzorg models) to estimate the amount of LFG emitted from Weltervenden and Thohoyandou landfill sites located in Limpopo province of South Africa. Furthermore, the study investigated the appropriate technique of the LFG utilisation as a source of electricity and the number of households using electricity. LFGcost model was used to estimate the cost and benefits related to the implementation of a LFG utilisation technology. Also, the possible health and environmental impacts of the landfill emissions on the people living closer to the landfill site were determined. The LandGEM model’s simulation concludes that CH4 and CO2 peaked in the year 2020 with values of 3.323 × 103 Mg/year and 9.118 × 103 Mg/year, respectively, for the Thohoyandou landfill. Results from the Afvalzorg model indicate that the CH4 peaked in the year 2020 with value of 3.501 × 103 Mg/year. Meanwhile the total emission of CH4 from 2005-2040 by the LandGEM and Afvalzorg models are 66200 Mg/year and 69768 Mg/year, respectively. However, for the Weltervenden landfill, the total LFG peaked in the year 2023 while the CH4 peak at 4061 Mg/year and 3128 Mg/year for LandGEM and Afvalzorg models, respectively. Furthermore, results from the cost analysis and benefits for the implementation of a LFG utilisation technology in both landfills show that the implementation of such a utilisation technology will be economically feasible considering the sale of t CO2 equivalent in the carbon market. However, without considering the sales of t CO2 equivalent, not all the LFG engines are economically feasible for both landfills. This study also shows that the residents living closer to the Thohoyandou landfill are at a higher risk of environmental pollution and could suffer negative impacts from the landfill than residents living far from the landfill site. However, the Weltervenden landfill did not have lots of communities living closer to the landfill and therefore it was not included in this study.
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Books on the topic "Greenhouse gases - Environmental aspects - South Africa"
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Dow, Kirstin. The atlas of climate change: Mapping the world's greatest challenge. Berkeley: University of California Press, 2007.
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E, Downing Thomas, ed. The atlas of climate change: Mapping the world's greatest challenge. London: Earthscan, 2006.
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V, Raju K., and Institute for Social and Economic Change., eds. Greenhouse gases emission and potential carbon sequestration: A case study of semi-arid area in South India. Bangalore: Institute for Social and Economic Change, 2009.
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4
Downing, Thomas E., and Kirstin Dow. Atlas of Climate Change: Mapping the World's Greatest Challenge. University of California Press, 2016.
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5
The Atlas of Climate Change: Mapping the World's Greatest Challenge (Atlas Of... (University of California Press)). 2nd ed. University of California Press, 2007.
Find full textBook chapters on the topic "Greenhouse gases - Environmental aspects - South Africa"
1
Bag, Surajit. "Identifying Green Supply Chain Management Enablers in South African Mining Industry using Ecological Modernization Theory Approach." In Operations and Service Management, 452–76. IGI Global, 2018. http://dx.doi.org/10.4018/978-1-5225-3909-4.ch022.
Full textAbstract:
Green supply chain management is a popular practice in any world class organization. The traditional supply chain was managed with the objectives to reduce cost without focusing on environmental and social dimensions. However with passage of time institutional pressures has directed firms to design supply chain network which takes care of environmental and social dimensions as well. Green supply chain management concept has evolved gradually over a period of time. The main reason behind evolution of green supply chain management is conservation of natural resources which human beings ignored for long. Published reports show that major portion of the energy is supplied by fossil fuels and thereby depletion of natural resources is occurring at an accelerating rate with time. Industrial manufacturing report also suggest that demand for manufacturing products is likely to double by the year 2050. This will result in high generation of pollutants and gases. If the greenhouse gases emissions remain unchecked, then it will create a catastrophic effect by 2050. Globally manufacturers and industry associations are now acting proactively to conserve the natural resources and curb greenhouse gases emissions. The level of popularity of green supply chain management can be estimated from the high research output in leading operations journals such as IJPE, IJPR, Resources, Conservation and Recycling Journals. Green supply chain management is a concept that is also gaining popularity in the South African region. For many organizations in this region it is a process to exhibit their sincere commitment to sustainability. However, if green supply chain management practices are to be fully adopted by all mining and minerals industry in South Africa, a demonstrable link between such measures and understanding the role of associated variables is necessary. This paper endeavors to develop a green supply chain management model for mining and minerals industry in the South African region. The approach extends the domain of green supply chain research and produce theories that have greater explanatory power than the current practices. For this purpose a conceptual model was developed from literature review and data collected using a structured questionnaire mailed to a sample of 174 firms which are leading edge ISO14001 certified mining companies in South Africa. Data analysis is further performed through exploratory factor analysis and regression analysis. This paper presents the first empirical evaluation of the link between green supply chain management practices amongst a sample of mining and minerals companies in South Africa.
2
Bag, Surajit. "Identifying Green Supply Chain Management Enablers in South African Mining Industry using Ecological Modernization Theory Approach." In Strategic Management of Sustainable Manufacturing Operations, 95–119. IGI Global, 2016. http://dx.doi.org/10.4018/978-1-5225-0350-7.ch005.
Full textAbstract:
Green supply chain management is a popular practice in any world class organization. The traditional supply chain was managed with the objectives to reduce cost without focusing on environmental and social dimensions. However with passage of time institutional pressures has directed firms to design supply chain network which takes care of environmental and social dimensions as well. Green supply chain management concept has evolved gradually over a period of time. The main reason behind evolution of green supply chain management is conservation of natural resources which human beings ignored for long. Published reports show that major portion of the energy is supplied by fossil fuels and thereby depletion of natural resources is occurring at an accelerating rate with time. Industrial manufacturing report also suggest that demand for manufacturing products is likely to double by the year 2050. This will result in high generation of pollutants and gases. If the greenhouse gases emissions remain unchecked, then it will create a catastrophic effect by 2050. Globally manufacturers and industry associations are now acting proactively to conserve the natural resources and curb greenhouse gases emissions. The level of popularity of green supply chain management can be estimated from the high research output in leading operations journals such as IJPE, IJPR, Resources, Conservation and Recycling Journals. Green supply chain management is a concept that is also gaining popularity in the South African region. For many organizations in this region it is a process to exhibit their sincere commitment to sustainability. However, if green supply chain management practices are to be fully adopted by all mining and minerals industry in South Africa, a demonstrable link between such measures and understanding the role of associated variables is necessary. This paper endeavors to develop a green supply chain management model for mining and minerals industry in the South African region. The approach extends the domain of green supply chain research and produce theories that have greater explanatory power than the current practices. For this purpose a conceptual model was developed from literature review and data collected using a structured questionnaire mailed to a sample of 174 firms which are leading edge ISO14001 certified mining companies in South Africa. Data analysis is further performed through exploratory factor analysis and regression analysis. This paper presents the first empirical evaluation of the link between green supply chain management practices amongst a sample of mining and minerals companies in South Africa.