Work is currently underway to design a process and approach for preparation of an updated Greenhouse Gas Inventory for South Africa. Responsibility for preparation of this inventory lies with DEAT (sub-Directorate Global Climate Change). For more information on the work being done by DEAT on this topic, contact Brigit Thovhakale on 012 310 3365 or bthovhakale@deat.gov.za Prior to this, an inventory was prepared for the years 1990 -1994. This was prepared by the CSIR in accordance with Guidelines produced by the IPCC in 1996. Summary results from this inventory are as follows:

• The total greenhouse gas emissions for 1990 were 347,346 Gg CO2 equivalents

• The total greenhouse gas emissions for 1994 were 379,842 Gg CO2 equivalents.

The pie charts below illustrate how the different sectors in South Africa contributed to these totals. (The total emissions were calculated as carbon dioxide equivalents).

Carbon dioxide is the most significant greenhouse gas for South Africa. It contributed more than 80% of the total of the three main greenhouse gas emissions (carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide) for both 1990 and 1994. The main source of CO2 is the energy sector which generated 89.7% of the total CO2 emissions in 1990 and 91.1% of the total in 1994.

The high levels of emissions from the energy sector relate to the high energy intensity of the South African economy, which is dependent on large scale primary extraction and processing, particularly in the mining and minerals beneficiation industries. The only significant sink for carbon dioxide in South Africa is through afforestation, and at present South Africa is undergoing net afforestation. The net uptake of carbon dioxide through afforestation activities has increased from 16 983 Gg in 1990 to 18616 Gg in 1994.

Methane emissions from agriculture, energy fugitive emissions and waste amounted to 2 053 Gg in 1990 and 2 057 Gg in 1994. Enteric fermentation emissions from livestock were the largest contributor to methane emissions, contributing 40% of the total methane emissions. The waste sector contribution increased from 33.5% in 1990 to 36% in 194 due to extension of waste services to sectors of the population that were previously not serviced.

The total nitrous oxide emissions were 75 Gg and 67 Gg for the years 1990 and 1994 respectively. The main contributor was the agricultural sector, which generated 77% in 1990 and 80% in 1994 – of the total nitrous oxide emissions. Road transportation contributed to more than half of the transport sector emissions, which increased by about 36% between 1990 and 1994.

For more detailed information from the 1990-94 inventory, contact Shirley Moroka for details. Tel. 012 310 3436 or kmoroka@deat.gov.za

For more general information on Greenhouse Gas Inventories and how to prepare them– explore the following links:

PCC Emissions Inventory Guidelines

IPCC National Greenhouse Gas Inventories Programme

UNFCCC Greenhouse Gases Inventory Database

Links to GHG Inventories produced by other countries - and available on the web:

Australian GHG Emissions Inventory

European Community Emissions Inventory 1990-2001 and 2003 reports

Uk National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory

US Emissions - other publications