Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2011. / The world as we know it is in a warming cycle. The rate of warming is being exacerbated by human
activity; more specifically, the burning of fossil fuels to power expanding economies. Awareness
that something must be done before a catastrophic point of no return is reached, has become more
urgent.
Before any strategies can be developed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the levels must be
accurately measured to provide a benchmark and to determine reduction targets. The
determination of an organisation’s carbon footprint is thus the starting point of the whole process.
When the carbon footprint is known, various strategies can be implemented to reduce the carbon
footprint.
South Africa is classified as a developing country and is not required to comply with greenhouse
gas reduction targets under the Kyoto Protocol. This may change at any time in the future and it is
therefore necessary to be ready when targets become compulsory. The general public is not
knowledgeable about global warming. All of these factors need to change to provide impetus to
reduction strategies.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) is one of the largest government departments and is
situated in nearly every town in South Africa. The SAPS is thus in a position to provide leadership
in government and in communities on issues like global warming.
The carbon footprint of the SAPS has been calculated as prescribed by the Greenhouse Gas
Protocol (2011). As a service organisation, the SAPS does not have industrial processes that may
be the source of large quantities of greenhouse gases. In this research study, Scope 1 and
scope 2 emissions were calculated and possible mitigation options are proposed.
A survey conducted among a specific target group has indicated a general understanding of the
concept of climate change. The respondents have difficulty in establishing a connection between
climate change and increased crime levels. Behavioural change and education are necessary to
promote a culture of energy efficiency and a reduction of greenhouse gases. Leadership is seen as
an inhibiting factor, as top management does not consider global warming to be an influencing
factor on crime levels.
Government must provide strong leadership and formulate climate change strategies. Funding can
be generated with carbon tax and emissions trading. On departmental level the energy efficiency
of buildings can be improved and alternative fuels for vehicles be used.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/80786 |
| Date | 12 1900 |
| Creators | Smit, Jacobus Johannes |
| Contributors | Volschenk, J., Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. Graduate School of Business. |
| Publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | en_ZA |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | xiv, 98 p. : col. ill |
| Rights | Stellenbosch University |
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