Companies are evaluating their carbon footprints to prepare for the green generation. South Africa and its Vision 2025 aims to improve its energy mix by having 30% of clean energy by 2025. South Africa is ranked as the world’s thirteenth-biggest carbon emitter, with a shocking 451 million tons of CO2 discharged per annum.
According to Mining Weekly, the National Treasury is proposing a direct tax on carbon emissions, taking initial caution to “impose the lowest distortion” on the economy. The discussion document argues that a tax of R75/t CO2e, increasing to around R200/t CO2e, “would be both feasible and appropriate to achieve the desired behaviourial changes and emissions reduction targets.” The government was unwilling to divulge how much this would cost cross-sector industries in South Africa. Deloitte, however, calculated that the government could collect a staggering R82,5 billion annually from organisations’ pockets. R 26 billion of this will come from the mining sector. (Mining Weekly)
Organisations have started restructuring their supply chain systems and processes in a bid to avoid the sting of the proposed carbon emissions tax. Other companies are showing overall dedication to conserving the environment and reversing the immense damage already caused by industries. Whatever their reason for wanting to achieve this green sustainability – those with foresight are looking at the ‘now’ and how they can benefit from the green supply chain – this transformation is not an easy task. Companies often face the first challenge of aligning their green goals with their business goals: How they can lower their carbon emission without affecting their bottom line.
Some of the practical solutions that companies are adopting range from supply chain consolidation, sustainable energy sources, recycling, waste management, eliminating non-reusable packaging at manufacturing plants and using the various control and monitoring technologies available in the market. More solutions are required that can dramatically reduce carbon emissions, sustain the low level of emissions and save companies billions in taxes. Sustainability is marked as the key to long term benefits.
The green supply chain and sustainability will be discussed at the Supply Chain and Logistics Africa 2011 Conference that is due to take place from the 17 – 20 November 2011 at the Sandton sun in Johannesburg. Kevin James, CEO of Global carbon exchange, will discuss the benefits of going green and how companies can implement practical solutions that can reduce their carbon footprint. He will examine how global companies are successfully achieving this by aligning their business goals with their carbon emissions targets.
