Abstract
M.Sc.
Increases in carbon dioxide (CO2) and other atmospheric trace gases, such as methane (CH4), can attribute to what has been called greenhouse warming because these compounds allow the sun’s energy to reach the surface of the earth, thereby warming it, while preventing much of that energy from being radiated to outer space. Over the past few decades, human activity has increasingly overloaded the Earth’s natural greenhouse system. Energy-related activities are the most significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Emissions from fossil fuel combustion comprise the vast majority of these energy-related emissions. Carbon dioxide is the most significant greenhouse gas for South Africa. Due to the high content of coal in the energy mix, South Africa’s carbon emissions are proportionately greater in comparison with many other countries.
The objective of this study is to study and analyse South Africa’s carbon emissions. This research will investigate:
• South Africa’s historical trend in carbon emissions
• Emissions by source and sector
• The study will then deal with comparing South Africa’s energy-related carbon emissions to Argentina and Brazil which are similar middle-income developing countries and Australia and Spain which are developed countries
• From here the study will focus on why South Africa’s carbon emissions differ, or are similar to, these other countries and
• How South Africa’s carbon emissions impact on the total global carbon emissions.
Included is a section discussing background information on the South African energy sector. Data for the South African study was calculated from the energy balances for the country for the study period. For the calculation of the carbon emissions for South Africa the IPCC top-down methodology was used. It can be seen that South Africa’s carbon emissions are still increasing. It was noted however that the values of the carbon emissions differ depending on which emission factors are used.
For the International perspective information was obtained from the Internet and plotted on graphs. Information was obtained for the following countries: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, South Africa and Spain. From this study it was seen that South Africa’s carbon dioxide emissions are the highest out of all the countries in this study, while Argentina’s are the lowest.
While most countries have energy conservation regulations, energy efficiency standards in South Africa are lacking. The process towards accession to the Kyoto Protocol in South Africa started in February 2000. The South African government has signed the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 1993. It has not yet ratified the Kyoto Protocol, but is currently in the process. This will however still take time and it is for this reason that the clean development mechanism holds the most promise for South Africa to participate in international greenhouse gas emission reduction projects.