Carbon Footprint Assessment in Nature-Based Conservation Management Estates Using South African National Parks as a Case Study

Paulina A. Phophe,Mmoto L. Masubelele

doi:10.3390/su132413969

Paulina A. Phophe, Mmoto L. Masubelele

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/su132413969

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Abstract

Nature-based conservation management (NBCMs) estates are seen as natural solutions to climate change and hence immune to harmful greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, NBCMs, in their daily operations to protect and conserve biodiversity, may result in GHG emissions. These may come as a significant carbon burden. This is the first study based on a literature review to look at the carbon footprint of an entire conservation estate operation and management. South African National Parks (SANParks) aimed to contribute to national targets by reducing their fossil-fuel-generated energy consumption by 2% per year until achieving carbon neutrality. The objectives of this paper were (1) to quantify the SANParks C emissions profile at the organization and individual park level and develop recommendations to sustainably reduce carbon emissions and (2) to suggest alternative scenarios that SANParks could follow to achieve zero energy emissions. The study presented an audit analysis of the emission sources linked to SANParks’ daily activities over a five-year period (2015–2019) using the GHGs protocol corporate accounting and reporting standard methodology. Over the reference period, SANParks emitted an average of 73,732 t of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e) per year. Most emissions came from electricity usage, 40,681 tCO2e (55%), followed by fuel usage for stationary combustion at 26,088 tCO2e (35%), and both account for 90% of SANParks’ total emissions. Results have shown the variation amongst individual parks in GHG emission and intensity ratio among the different parks. Total SANParks emission showed a significant relationship with Scope 2, followed by number of employees, building size, Scope 3, and Scope 1, in order. This work recommends how SANParks estate may reduce their carbon emissions at a national and individual level. SANParks achieved 1% year-on-year energy emissions reduction through its renewable base; however, an ambitious target of 8% would be appropriate for a 1.5 °C future based on the energy scenario planning.

Highlights

Increasing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is one of the primary causes of climate change
This study investigated the following research questions: (1) What were SANParks’ total carbon footprint and the contribution to the AFOLU sector in South Africa? (2) What was the contribution of Scope 1, 2, and emissions to the total SANParks emissions? (3) What was the contribution of each park to the total SANParks emission? (4) Was there a variation in the scope of GHG emissions at park level? Lastly, (5) what has been the response from SANParks to reduce GHG
Promoting green and smart building management will be essential across the entire NBCMs estate based on the strong relationship shown between total SANParks emissions with building size and associated Scope 2 emissions

Summary

Introduction

Increasing GHG emissions is one of the primary causes of climate change. Globally, GHGs have increased drastically since the industrial revolution and are expected to continue rising [1]. Considerable evidence shows that the highest portion of climate change is mainly caused by the emission of GHGs due to anthropogenic activities, carbon dioxide (CO2 ) from fossil fuel combustion, and could accelerate the temperature increase in the future [1,2,3]. South Africa was shown to be one of the world’s largest per capita GHG emitters, due to its energy-intensive industries and the high share of coal use [4]. This is mainly due to high dependence on coal, which accounted for 91% of its electricity generation in 2016 [5].

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