This paper seeks to add to the discourse on climate change mitigation in the petrochemical industry in South Africa, through a broad evaluation of the mitigation interventions available. For the purposes of the analysis, the scope is confined to the base and performance chemicals that are produced from the petrochemicals complex and does not include liquid fuels. It presents an overview of the petrochemical value chain in South Africa and the climate challenges within the value chain. It then considers the current available mitigation measures in terms of their technological development, barriers and rollout in South Africa. The interventions include energy efficiency measures, which cover combined heat and power, carbon capture, and nitrogen oxide mitigation technologies. Feedstock substitution options are also considered, which relate to increasing the use of natural gas, biomaterials and green hydrogen. Circular economy interventions which relate to the recycling of plastic and rubber are also discussed. The benefits, risks and implementation requirements for various stakeholders are then explored.
This research is part of the Making Sense of Employment in South Africa's Just Energy Transition project. TIPS and the WWF South Africa, with the support of GIZ, are implementing an initiative to support policymaking for South Africa's just transition. This focuses on employment and the relevant challenges and opportunities in the country's just energy transition.
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