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Energy and emissions savings of appliance standards and labelling

Main sectors: URBAN SYSTEMS and WASTE Client: Department of Energy, funded by UNDP Problem Statement: The UNDP commissioned The Green House to undertake a review and assessment of energy savings and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction targets or savings that are potentially achievable through the implementation of energy efficient appliances in South Africa via the Standards and Labelling (S&L) project. The Green House approach: The work involved a detailed review of existing studies to unpack the apparent discrepancies between the previous studies in terms of projected energy savings and related emission reductions associated with appliance standards and labelling. Using data provided a model was developed in Analytica to recalculate energy savings and related greenhouse gas emissions reductions attributable to the S&L Project against a justifiable baseline year. 
The model was shared via the Analytica cloud player with stakeholders so that all the underlying assumptions and calculations could be interrogated. Outcomes: The Analytica model provided a visual platform to be able...Read More >

Review of the peak-plateau-decline trajectory to support investment decisions

Main sectors: ENERGY and CLIMATE CHANGE Client: An Investment Group Problem Statement: As a responsible investor with a public stated policy with respect to investments which are cognisant of climate change, our client sought to understand the implications of investment in coal-fired power stations for the greenhouse gas emissions trajectory for the electricity sector. The Green House approach: The Green House built an Excel-based model which could be used to explore the emissions profile under a number of assumptions related to electricity demand, and the penetration of renewable and non-renewable electricity generation technologies. The model was developed with a simple to use user interface to make it accessible to non-technical stakeholders. Outcomes: The model and an accompanying presentation of the results were provided to the client to use in the engagement of stakeholders across the company.

Projection of greenhouse gas emission trajectories from the South African mining and minerals processing sectors to 2030

Main sectors: MINING, INDUSTRY, ENERGY and CLIMATE CHANGE Client: National Planning Commission Problem Statement: in order to support development of South Africa’s National Development Plan, the Commissioners sought to obtain an understanding of the impacts of changes to the structure of the minerals sector in the country, as well as implications of increasing energy efficiency in the sector. The impacts were to be measured in terms of greenhouse gas emissions, employment and economic benefit. The Green House approach: The Green House built an Excel based model which was used to run a series of scenarios of growth of the sector and the impacts on the indicators of interest. Data to populate the model was sourced from the open literature, annual reports of mining and minerals companies and direct communication with these companies. The model was subject to an extensive stakeholder review process to ensure the integrity of the data. Outcomes: The findings of the study highlighted the key sectors contributing...Read More >

Development of an industry mandated “Intended Nationally Determined Contribution” (INDC)

Main sectors: ENERGY and CLIMATE CHANGE, INDUSTRY Client: Business Unity South Africa Problem Statement: In advance of the Paris Climate Change Conference (COP) in 2015, countries had to submit their proposals for, amongst others, their contributions to reducing global greenhouse gas emissions, in the form of Intended Nationally Determined Contributions or INDCs. BUSA sought to provide inputs into the process of development of the mitigation component of South Africa’s INDC and approached DNA Economics and The Green House to develop these inputs. The Green House approach: In order to fulfil the project requirements, the project team conducted a thorough analysis of South Africa’s historical position and commitments in the international climate negotiations; the implications of INDCs and what they were required to include; and the interface with national climate change policies, legislation and other activities. From this analysis a number of potential options for the INDC were proposed, one of which was selected by BUSA as their prepared option to...Read More >

Development of a Minerals Beneficiation Strategy for KwaZulu-Natal

Main sectors: MINING, INDUSTRY Client: KZN Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs Problem Statement: To develop a strategy to support increased minerals beneficiation in KwaZulu-Natal, with a view to the Province deriving maximum economic benefit and job creation from its mineral value chains in an environmentally and socially responsible way. The Green House approach: This multi-year research project undertaken in conjunction the Minerals to Metals Initiative at the University of Cape Town, was conducted over a number of phase: Project scoping that framed and defined the tasks and scope of the studies to be undertaken to inform the strategy. Background surveys that interrogated the status quo in the province in terms of activities and markets, and trends in the business and political climate in which the sector operates. Analysis of the contribution of five selected mineral commodities in terms of their socio-economic development, and the risks and opportunities associated with these commodities. Identification of advanced mineral beneficiation opportunities...Read More >

Comparative life cycle assessment of beverage packaging options

Main sectors: MANUFACTURING AND RETAIL Client: Tetra Pak Problem Statement: Tetra Pak South Africa wished to understand the environmental strengths and weaknesses of the Tetra Pak beverage packaging options in a South African context and to compare the environmental performance of Tetra Pak packaging with other commonly available options on the South African market. The Green House approach: Tetra Pak required a full ISO 14040 compliant LCA study. The Green House therefore followed the approach required by the international standard, including producing a scoping report that detailed all methodological considerations and lining up a critical review panel of three leading South African LCA experts to review the study. As Tetra Pak themselves cover only the manufacturing of the packaging, partners along the value chain were sought to cover the filling, distribution and retail stages of the life cycle. A large commercial dairy company, a juice packing company and a supermarket chain were partnered with to cover the other life cycle...Read More >

Life Cycle Assessment of milk production in the Western Cape

Main sectors: MANUFACTURING AND RETAIL, AGRICULTURE Client: WWF-SA and Woolworths Problem Statement: To gain an understanding of the impacts of dairy products and to identify key points of intervention for improvement. The Green House approach: The first step was to thoroughly scope the study and identify partners along the product value chain. Through discussions with the WWF team, the study was limited to the production and supply of fresh milk to the consumer, with the milk produced in the Western Cape and sold within the greater Cape Town area. Five farms were located that were willing to participate in the study, that covered different Western Cape regions (Greater Cape Town, the Overberg and the Garden Route) and different dairy farming approaches (intensive stall-based and pasture). An in-kind donation to the WWF was negotiated with TetraPak and the large commercial dairy company that provided input into a TetraPak study on milk packaging [possibly a link to that case study], to allow...Read More >

Life Cycle Assessment of South African and Namibian Beef Retailed in South Africa

Main sectors: AGRICULTURE, MANUFACTURING AND RETAIL Client: WWF-SA Problem Statement: Given the high focus on climate and water impacts of livestock in recent FAO reports, as well as the trend towards increased red meat intake with rising income levels, WWF-SA wished to understand the impacts of beef production in a Southern African context, as well as to identify the key points of intervention along the beef value chain, so as to support their efforts towards creating a sustainable beef supply chain in South Africa. The Green House approach: The project was undertaken in partnership with Woolworths, thus a number of meetings were held with WWF-SA, the Woolworths project team and red meat experts to fully scope the project. The agreed system to study was the production and retail of two high-grade beef products (steak and mince) in South Africa, including cattle rearing, fattening (both feedlot and free-range), slaughtering, processing, packaging and retailing. The scope of the study was later extended...Read More >

Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA) of two South African textile value chains: Cotton t-shirt and cotton towel

Main sectors: AGRICULTURE, MANUFACTURING AND RETAIL Client: South African Sustainable Textiles and Apparel Cluster (SASTAC) Problem Statement: To provide a baseline of the sustainability performance of the South African textiles industry and to pilot life cycle assessment against two cotton textile value chains. The Green House approach: The project was broken down into two distinct phases. The first phase, undertaken in association with The Moss Group, developed a set of sustainability metrics against which to assess the South African textiles industry. The development process combined input from existing reviews and standards with the insights of industry experts and other stakeholders. Background research included a literature survey of environmental life cycle and social impact assessment studies and a review of sustainability standards. The global focus of these reviews was complemented by research identifying material issues in the South African textile industry and by stakeholder input elicited through two workshops. The workshop outcomes were synthesised with the research component to develop a...Read More >

Screening Life Cycle Assessment of Textiles Retailed in South Africa

Main sectors: AGRICULTURE, MANUFACTURING AND RETAIL Client: Woolworths Problem Statement: To provide Woolworths with a better understanding of the environmental impacts of textiles, particularly with respect to where in the life cycle impacts are highest, and how these differ for different raw material options. The Green House approach: A high-level life cycle comparison was recommended to provide the necessary insights at a relatively low budget. Three broadly different fibre types – cotton fibres, polyester fibres and cellulosic fibres (viscose) – were chosen to span the mix of natural and synthetic fibres, whilst cellulosic viscose was included because of the interest in bamboo as a sustainable resource. The study was a screening LCA in that it relied primarily on life cycle databases to model the impacts of manufacturing textiles, although study-specific information was included where required by the South African context, most notably around the consumer use of textile products. Outcomes: The deliverables of the study was an accessible study report,...Read More >