The eThekwini Municipality has finalised the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory (GHGEI) for 2012. The inventory identifies the sources of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions from both the government and public sectors within the eThekwini Municipal Area. The inventory was compiled to help plan climate change mitigation strategies within the Municipality.
The GHG Emissions Inventory is divided into two sub-inventories, one for the broader eThekwini community and one for the Municipality or local government emissions. The local government “sub-inventory” includes GHG emissions from activities under the control of the eThekwini Municipality entity, whilst the community inventory includes GHG emissions from various sectors within the boundary of the eThekwini Municipal Area.
Total emissions for 2012 are estimated to be around 29,360,395 tons of CO2e, which translates to 2,294,110 tons of CO2e (8%) more than the 2010 baseline and 1,710,996 tons of CO2e (6%) more than the 2011 inventory. Total local government emissions for the 2012 period were 1,526,431tCO2e. The Municipality sector produces 5.2% of the total emissions, the largest contributor being electricity consumption with 3.8% of the total emissions (2.4% from transmission and distribution losses).
Derek Morgan, Senior Manager at the Energy Office noted “we are improving our data collection every year, with this inventory being the most accurate to date”. He noted that the Municipality contracted WardKarlson Consulting CC to address data gaps identified in the 2011 GHGEI. This scope of work included reviewing existing data sources and developing data collection systems for the use of coal, coke and refinery gas. “Previously we only had rough estimates of how much emission was the result of coal was being burned in the City. This year we have a much clearer idea,” he added.
The comparison of the last three years is not enough for the Municipality to make a statement regarding its performance in terms of reduction of GHG emissions. However the 2012 results show, there is a slight increase in emissions which is due to an improved methodology for the collection of applicable information. Efforts from the Municipality to reduce its emissions may be reflected in the analysis in future years when the results reflect new renewable energy facilities and other policies in place for the mitigation of the GHG emissions. In order to further improve the reliability, completeness and accuracy of the inventory in future years the Municipality will be working on identifying means to collect accurate data pertaining to the use of Marine Fuel, Aviation Fuel and on-going research into Industrial Processed and Product USE (IPPU) in the EThekwini Metropolitan Area.
The City has initiated various programmes to assist citizens and businesses to reduce carbon emissions .The Shisa Solar Programme which is facilitated by the Municipality provides assistance and vital information to residents when changing from a conventional geyser to a solar water heater geyser. The use of renewable energies is the answer to reducing carbon emissions and the City is embarking on various pilot projects that will provide alternative energy sources for lighting, cooking, water heating etc.
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