SA’s carbon calculator ramps up efficiencies

South Africa’s carbon calculator initiative has moved up a notch, with phase 2 ready for launch. This will involve an aggressive push to intensify training and get more of the industry on board in order to improve benchmark analyses. “The project is about more than just looking at carbon footprint,” says Cape Townbased project co-ordinator Shelly Fuller. “It’s a way of measuring your efficiencies – and if you can become more efficient in using your diesel and your electricity you can save money and also reduce carbon footprint. And that’s the message that’s hitting home,” she told FTW. “We’re working with the industry and doing data analysis to compare, for example, the carbon footprint of Stellenbosch wine-growers with that of growers in the Breede River. But at the moment we don’t have enough information for that kind of analysis which is why we’re trying to get more people on board.” Since its launch in 2008, the methodology and functioning of the tool have been annually adapted to align with international best practice and retailer demands, says Fuller. “The trends are indicating a move towards a more detailed analysis – called a lifecycle assessment (LCA). The Confronting Climate Change carbon footprint tool allows the various industry members (whether a producer, packhouse, winery or exporter) to do their own carbon footprint, representing their section of the supply chain. The results from the various legs in the chain can then be built together to get a full “life cycle” picture – should it be required. That way all the members of the SA supply chain can work together to supply accurate and realistic data to meet the international retailers’ demands. The tool has been updated to allow for that kind of detail – although it remains simple and user-friendly, she added. “We’ve accumulated two years of what works and what doesn't so we've redone the user interface which is what the person will go online and see.” A number of training workshops and ‘train the trainer’ workshops have been scheduled this year. The project was initiated by the fruit and wine industries – fresh fruit and wine exports – because those are the industries that wanted to understand more about carbon footprint, said Fuller. “Because of the demand in export markets, retailers are requesting South African suppliers to measure and report on carbon footprint. Retailers have their own targets to meet and their own methodology to get there – and the SA project aligns with what retailers are asking of their suppliers and provides the SA industry with the tools to develop a proactive response to these requests. “It’s a project that’s unique to South Africa,” says Fuller. “We are the leaders in measuring and reporting on carbon footprint across the supply chain. “In New Zealand, for example, a specific exporting company has undertaken a carbon footprint assessment for one product – apples. But in South Africa it’s across the various industry groups. It’s not about one company trying to better themselves against another. It’s about improving the competitiveness of South Africa’s food and wine industry as a whole.” And while for some it’s not a priority with the focus on other compliance issues like ethical trading, the message that is hitting home is the impact on costs, says Fuller. “With Eskom electricity and diesel more expensive and a carbon tax looming, it’s not going away. And by measuring the carbon footprint of your business, you can become more efficient and more sustainable.” CAPTION: Shelly Fuller ... ‘Retailers are requesting South African suppliers to measure and report on carbon footprint.’