By way of introduction , Zollner immigrated to South Africa in 1982 . After completing his matric at a German school in Cape Town , he served in the German navy and later pursued a National Higher Diploma in Electrical Engineering at Cape Peninsula University . “ Today , I want to discuss net-zero carbon cold chain management , an increasingly important topic . Some of you may be aware that South Africa introduced the carbon tax phase one a few years ago under the current Tax Act , which remains lenient with numerous allowances and a high reporting threshold . However , phase two of the Carbon Tax Act , effective January 2026 , is expected to tighten these allowances and thresholds ,” says Zollner .
“ As mentioned earlier , the cold chain currently accounts for 2.5 % of global emissions , and this figure is poised to rise . Globally , there are few countries with fully functional cold chains ; most food production occurs in developing and emerging markets . The criticality of maintaining a controlled cold chain for food transport and
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preservation is increasingly recognized , amplifying the urgency for effective net-zero cold chain management .
“ Given the complexity of cold chains — from sourcing to consumption involving multiple stakeholders , transportation , storage at various stages , and retail environments — effective management is challenging . These environments are often disparate and managed by different entities , making it difficult to control and gain a comprehensive overview .
“ Therefore , leveraging technology , systems , and streamlined processes that facilitate seamless data transfer across stages and enable unified views is crucial . This approach is pivotal in navigating the complexities of modern cold chain logistics .
“ We have identified a couple of basic emission sources in our cold chain operations . Firstly , there are indirect emissions , such as leaks from refrigeration units , emissions from refrigerant filling and disposal stations , and even refrigerant evaporation . These indirect emissions are reported and accounted for . Additionally ,
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there are direct emissions , primarily from engines — diesel engines and other types used in transport and refrigeration processes ,” says Zollner .
“ In South Africa , we face particular challenges due to our heavy reliance on coalfired power stations , which supply about 80 % of our energy needs . This reliance contributes significantly to our carbon footprint from cold chain operations . Unfortunately , our current energy mix places us at a disadvantage in terms of carbon emissions .
“ To address these emissions , we have two main strategies : improving technology and refining processes . Different technologies have varying emission factors , and process improvements can enhance automation and efficiency . However , we must be cautious . Electrifying vehicles , for example , is commendable , but if the electricity comes from coal-fired plants , it merely shifts emissions from vehicles to power generation .
“ Considering alternative fuel types like liquid nitrogen or energy-efficient gases can significantly reduce emissions
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Image by © Cold Link Africa
Eckart Zollner , business development , Ikhaya Automation Systems .
compared to traditional fossil fuels . Modern refrigeration technologies , such as those based on ammonia or carbon dioxide , offer lower carbon footprints compared to older refrigerants like freon , which are more harmful to the environment ,” says Zollner .
“ Measurement is crucial to improvement . Without comprehensive end-to-end
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