Carbon footprint tracker to diversify

South Africa’s Confronting Climate Change carbon calculator initiative is set to enter Phase three which will extend the tool in terms of scale and functionality. Phase 2, which ends in February next year, focused on carbon emissions in the fruit and wine industries, which initiated the project. “We want to expand it beyond fruit and wine to other agricultural commodities and also to move beyond carbon to other aspects like soil health and water – effectively making it a more holistic tool,” project co-ordinator Shelly Fuller told FTW. This will however rely on large-scale funding and the organisation is looking at the likes of international funders as well as the Department of Agriculture. “Local associations have however committed to continuing to fund the current needs of the organisation in terms of training, website maintenance and the like.” The project will continue to run workshops around the country for growers and exporters who are fast recognising the cost benefits of a reduced carbon footprint.