The department of environmental affairs (DEA) is clamping down on all greenhouse gas (GHG) emitters.

The official National Greenhouse Gas Emission Reporting Regulations were gazetted by environmental affairs minister Edna Molewa at the beginning of April and falls under the Environmental Management: Air Quality Act.

The department said the implementation of this act aims to introduce a single national reporting system that will hopefully enhance transparent reporting of GHG emissions.

The department also plans to use it to update and maintain a National Greenhouse Gas Inventory which will be used to support policymaking and assist South Africa in meeting its international obligations under the United Nations Framework Convention on climate change.

Affecting businesses

In a statement, the DEA said implications of the regulations could be “potentially substantial” for businesses, depending on a company’s current GHG inventory profile and management and reporting system.

According to ERM technical director Thapelo Letete, the regulations require the immediate action of companies with activities that exceed certain thresholds.

The regulations identify two categories of data-providers. Letete explained that Category A data providers are companies with operational control over activities that exceed certain thresholds outlined in Annexure 1 of the regulations.

Category B data-providers, include public bodies and research facilities that hold GHG emission data which the department may request in writing.

“Businesses are advised to determine whether their activities exceed the thresholds with immediate effect and, in cases where the thresholds are exceeded, register the affected facilities,” he said. “Registration is required by 3 May 2017 or within 30 days of commencing the activity.”

Letete said companies are required to report their GHG emissions and activity data for the preceding calendar year by 31 March yearly, with the first round of reporting due on 31 March 2018 (for 2017). “This will have implications for companies who do not currently report calendar year data through other means, such as the Carbon Disclosure Project,” the DEA said.

“I would recommend that companies consult with the experts in the field for assistance with responding to the requirements of these regulations,” Letete said.