A greenhouse gas emissions inventory for South Africa : a comparative analysis

Abstract

An energy-based greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory for South Africa for various years is presented, but most notably an estimate for 2008, in terms of industrial sectors using the energy balances of South Africa is given. This figure is estimated to be between 470 000 and 550 000Gg of CO2-equiv. with the higher number probably being a more realistic reflection. This information is compared to six other inventories to i) assess the robustness of the results presented, and ii) to comment on the stability of the inventories available. From this comparative analysis it is evident that major discrepancies exist among the inventories both in terms of scope (i.e. sectors and gas composites included) as well as method of estimation used. These differences hamper the efficacy of, among others, any economic modelling exercise related to carbon emissions, such as estimating the impact of carbon taxes on the country. It is therefore argued that a consistent, robust and replicable framework for estimating GHG emissions that would also render timeous results, should be adopted.