Sasol Climate Change Report 2023 - Book - Page 43
INTRODUCTION
TRANSFORMING FOR RESILIENCE
GOVERNANCE
CLIMATE ADVOCACY AND POLICY
DATA AND ASSURANCE
SCOPE 3 CONTINUED
FEATURE STORY
EMISSION-REDUCTION INITIATIVES //
PROGRESS ON CATEGORY 12 REPORTING
Driving reductions within our sphere of influence
As a leading producer of specialty and commodity
chemicals used in a wide range of applications and
industries, Category 12 emissions (end-of-life treatment
of sold products) are relevant to our business.
Several measures were undertaken in 2023 to reduce
scope 3 emissions across all categories.
CATEGORY 1: Low-carbon
feedstocks at Sasol Chemicals
Ethylene, kerosene and benzene account
for over 90% of Sasol Chemicals9
Category 1 emissions 3 reduction of
which has been identified as a priority
by our customers. We have identified
several opportunities for reducing these
emissions, with timelines varying
between a few months and multiple
years. The ISCC was identified as an
appropriate certification partner and,
to date, more than half of all production
sites in Eurasia have been certified
successfully.
In addition, we are exploring options to
source low-carbon aluminium for Europe
and North America.
CATEGORY 4: Euro 5 and 6 fuel
distribution vehicles at our Energy
Business
In 2018, Sasol Energy purchased nine
Euro 6 road tankers to convey transport
fuels to our retail forecourts and
commercial customers. In 2022, eight
Euro 5 vehicles were purchased and have
been in operation since October 2022.
Euro 5 and 6 trucks return better fuel
consumption than Euro 2 vehicles due
to their more modern engine technology
and better engine torque characteristics.
These effects result in reduced carbon
dioxide emissions and significantly
lower pollutant emission levels. These
technologies are enabled by our 10 ppm
sulphur diesel fuel.
A reduction of 5% in GHG emissions for
the Euro 6 fleet and a reduction of 11% in
carbon emissions for the Euro 5 fleet
were observed based on actual average
fuel consumption measurements in our
operating fleet (adjusted for the route
travelled). These findings were relative
to a baseline of Euro 2 tankers, for a
corresponding travelling distance and
payload. This resulted in an overall
reduction in fleet GHG emissions of
at least 1,6% in 2023, relative to Euro 2
tankers.
CATEGORY 6: Offsetting business
travel emissions
Sasol emphasises virtual meetings to
reduce business travel emissions.
Business travel emissions emanating
from air travel, accommodation and car
hire are estimated annually and externally
assured by independent third parties.
For 2022, we offset the impact of these
emissions by purchasing verified
high-quality carbon credits through Sasol
ecoFT on behalf of the Group.
CATEGORY 11: Integrated energy
solutions
Over time, we aim to introduce
low-carbon feedstocks that will
transition our product portfolio to
low-carbon energy products such as
green hydrogen, green ammonia, green
methanol and SAF. This will support both
Sasol9s and our customers9
decarbonisation and sustainability
roadmaps.
CATEGORY 11: Natref hybrid
refinery study
We are undertaking a study to evaluate
the potential to repurpose our Natref
facility to a hybrid refinery through the
introduction of bio-based feedstocks.
This is a sustainable transition pathway
that will allow the refinery to meet South
Africa9s clean-fuels compliance
standards. Bio-based feedstocks will be
introduced in a phased manner and could
result in an initial 2% reduction of
Category 11 emissions.
Sasol retail forecourt, South Africa
Developing a Category 12 emissions baseline consists of
identifying the waste disposal types, the treatment of sold
products and their respective emissions in a reporting
year, at the end of the products’ life.
Category 12 accounting presents several challenges owing to the
complexity and diversity of our chemical product portfolio and varied
product utilisation pathways with several possible disposal routes.
This makes developing a calculation framework and methodology
challenging, complicated by the many assumptions inherent in this
approach. There are over 70 product groups within our chemical
portfolio, requiring the detailing of relevant utilisation and disposal
pathways, and corresponding emission factors.
The GHG Protocol provides a framework and guidance but assumptions
are still required, resulting in a high degree of uncertainty in the
calculations.
Sasol liquid fuel products
SASOL CLIMATE CHANGE REPORT 2023
42
A comprehensive assessment to establish a fair and accurate emissions
baseline and determine materiality for our net zero ambition is
required. Sasol practises assurance and validation of our accounting
methodologies before these are used internally or disclosed externally.
In response, an independent review is underway and only once
concluded and accuracy uncertainty ranges have been satisfactorily
reduced will we be in a position to report.