Sunday, July 27, 2025
LBNN
  • Business
  • Markets
  • Politics
  • Crypto
  • Finance
  • Energy
  • Technology
  • Taxes
  • Creator Economy
  • Wealth Management
  • Documentaries
No Result
View All Result
LBNN

Draft report shows emissions dip, but energy and construction pivotal to deeper cuts

Simon Osuji by Simon Osuji
April 29, 2024
in Infrastructure
0
Draft report shows emissions dip, but energy and construction pivotal to deeper cuts
0
SHARES
0
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter


The findings of the 9th National Greenhouse Gas Inventory (NHGI) paints a clear picture: for South Africa’s energy and construction sectors, energy efficiency in buildings, a surge in renewable energy, and addressing transport emissions are no longer simply green initiatives, but essential business considerations.

Related posts

The Unseen Environmental Impact Of AI

The Unseen Environmental Impact Of AI

July 25, 2025
Nature-Based Infrastructure to Improve Inland Water Quality Could Result in Net Benefits up to R257 Million For The City of Cape Town

Nature-Based Infrastructure to Improve Inland Water Quality Could Result in Net Benefits up to R257 Million For The City of Cape Town

July 25, 2025
South Africa's energy and construction industry under heavy scrutiny in Draft Sectoral Emissions Target Report. Source: Meta AI

South Africa’s energy and construction industry under heavy scrutiny in Draft Sectoral Emissions Target Report. Source: Meta AI

The Draft Sectoral Emissions Targets (SETs) Report, gazetted on 26 April for public comment, foreshadows South Africa’s upcoming Climate Change Bill – which will further reinforce the National Climate Change Response Policy – reveals a modest decline in greenhouse gas emissions since 2000.

However, the analysis, compiled by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), also highlights the energy sector’s outsized contribution to the country’s carbon footprint.

Residents queue to collect water, as temperatures soar during an El Nino-related heatwave and drought affecting a large part of the country, in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, 7 March 2024. Reuters/KB Mpofu/ File Photo

This data presents both challenges and opportunities as South Africa navigates economic growth alongside its climate commitments.

The NHGI confirms that energy remains the dominant source of emissions (78%), followed by agriculture, industrial processes and product use (IPPU), and waste.

Notably, emissions dipped during the COVID-19 pandemic and appear to be “decoupling” from economic growth – a positive sign for the country’s long-term sustainability goals.

Construction industry in focus

The draft report identifies potential challenges for the construction sector. Rising demand for materials like cement and mined products could lead to increased emissions.

Companies that embrace low-carbon materials and energy-efficient practices will likely gain a competitive edge.

Similarly, the transport sector faces hurdles – population growth typically translates to more vehicles on the road. However, a strategic shift towards electric vehicles could mitigate this impact.

South Africa’s forthcoming Climate Change Bill proposes the implementation of SETs. These targets will mandate emissions reductions across various sectors, potentially impacting the energy and construction industries through stricter regulations.

Proactive alignment with these SETs could position companies favourably in the evolving regulatory landscape

Government models predict that aggressive emissions reduction strategies, aligned with a global 1.5°C warming target, would attract the highest level of economic investment.

This suggests potential financial incentives for clean energy adoption and sustainable construction practices.

The energy sector problem

The report the points to energy sector’s dominant role. It’s responsible for 86% of the country’s total emissions in 2022 (including the Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry sector, or FOLU).

These emissions come from a combination of factors, including the burning of fuels (CO2, CH4, and N2O), and fugitive emissions like methane leaks (CO2 and CH4).

The key to reducing energy sector emissions lies in a three-pronged approach: using less fuel overall, switching to cleaner fuel sources, and better managing fugitive emissions.

Terena Chetty, Head of Strategy at 1Africa Consulting

SA’s heavy reliance on coal is also predictably highlighted as a critical area for emissions reduction. The government is prioritising the decommissioning of coal-fired power plants alongside the development of new, cleaner sources of electricity generation.

South Africa’s climate goals and economic well-being are intricately linked. The energy and construction sectors stand at the forefront of this transition, facing both challenges and significant opportunities.



Source link

Previous Post

Ethiopian plastic upcycling startup Kubik gets fresh funding, plans to license out its tech

Next Post

Why China Is So Bad at Disinformation

Next Post
Why China Is So Bad at Disinformation

Why China Is So Bad at Disinformation

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

RECOMMENDED NEWS

SAAF Museum OC inspects facilities

SAAF Museum OC inspects facilities

2 years ago
Top 10 African countries where citizens would accept coup to oust bad leaders

Top 10 African countries where citizens would accept coup to oust bad leaders

1 year ago
French, Western Policy in Africa Complicit in Bongo’s Undemocratic Rule

Gabon, Niger, and Other African Coups: What’s Driving Them?

2 years ago
SAMHS unveils new Redeployable Camp Systems tents

SAMHS unveils new Redeployable Camp Systems tents

8 months ago

POPULAR NEWS

  • Ghana to build three oil refineries, five petrochemical plants in energy sector overhaul

    Ghana to build three oil refineries, five petrochemical plants in energy sector overhaul

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • The world’s top 10 most valuable car brands in 2025

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • When Will SHIB Reach $1? Here’s What ChatGPT Says

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Top 10 African countries with the highest GDP per capita in 2025

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Global ranking of Top 5 smartphone brands in Q3, 2024

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact

© 2023 LBNN - All rights reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Markets
  • Crypto
  • Economics
    • Manufacturing
    • Real Estate
    • Infrastructure
  • Finance
  • Energy
  • Creator Economy
  • Wealth Management
  • Taxes
  • Telecoms
  • Military & Defense
  • Careers
  • Technology
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Investigative journalism
  • Art & Culture
  • Documentaries
  • Quizzes
    • Enneagram quiz
  • Newsletters
    • LBNN Newsletter
    • Divergent Capitalist

© 2023 LBNN - All rights reserved.