LOWER EMISSIONS NOW A
SUSTAINABILITY AND COST IMPERATIVE
Contributed by SRK Consulting
The enforcement of South Africa ’ s carbon tax is adding to the focus by mines and industry on greenhouse gas emissions , raising the interest in the potential for converting methane into energy .
Images supplied by SRK Consulting
Air in the country ' s economic heartland , Gauteng , remains among the most polluted .
According to Vis Reddy , chairman of SRK Consulting in South Africa , the company ’ s established expertise in air quality management has broadened to integrate with its climate change focus .
“ Traditionally , air quality management was part of environmental impact assessments – and this remains an important compliance aspect for our clients ,” said Reddy . “ The field of air quality and emissions today , however , links directly to climate change concerns and even energy security imperatives .”
He pointed to the example of methane emissions , a powerful greenhouse gas that has 21 times the global warming potential of carbon dioxide , in trapping heat within the earth ’ s atmosphere . As companies look to improve their sustainability ratings , many are considering generating energy from the methane they produce . This is now more easily achieved , as they can take advantage of South Africa ’ s recently relaxed private power generation regulations .
“ Industry can now explore these options without needing to clear onerous regulatory hurdles that used to prevent private energy production ,” he explained . “ It is becoming an exciting opportunity for companies to reduce their carbon footprints . The case to be made is not only strategic but makes financial sense in terms of reducing carbon tax liability and addressing the rising cost of electricity – and unreliability of the country ’ s grid energy .”
In the context of South Africa ’ s predominantly
Vis Reddy – chairman of SRK Consulting South Africa .
www . africanmining . co . za African Mining Publication African Mining African Mining • March 2024 • 29