Case studies

Opportunities exist for businesses of all sizes, and across all sectors to reduce their emissions, and businesses are finding that there is a strong business case for managing their emissions, including cost savings, brand enhancement and other types of competitive advantage.

Following reports by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (a UN scientific body tasked to evaluate the risk of human-induced climate change), as well as international media interest, the world has woken up to the reality of climate change, and there is increasing pressure on governments, individuals and businesses to take action to address it.

For example, South Africa is currently the 14th largest greenhouse gas emitter in the world, a reflection both on the country’s heavy reliance on coal and on a high level of energy inefficiency. This, combined with escalating electricity prices, is driving a growing number of businesses to take action by implementing energy and carbon management as a key focus area. Such action usually results in improved organisational efficiency and significant cost savings. Global Carbon Exchange (GCX), a carbon and energy-efficiency consultancy, assists companies with determining their carbon footprint, implementing energy audits and with the development of an effective end-to-end carbon and energy management plan.

"The scientific evidence is now overwhelming. Climate change presents very serious global risks, and it demands an urgent global response." - The Stern Review on the Economics of Climate Change,  HM Treasury, UK Government, 2007

The Objectives

Nando’s is a worldwide chicken restaurant group. The first Nando’s restaurant was opened in 1987 in Johannesburg, South Africa and today there are Nando’s restaurants on five continents around the globe. In order to understand the energy consumption of its business, improve operating efficiency, cut costs and reduce its environmental impact, Nando’s commissioned GCX to conduct  an energy audit of its operations. The key objectives were to identify areas of energy and resource wastage as well as conservation potential.

The Background

New Clicks Holdings (NCH) is a specialist retail group which, through its market-leading retail brands Clicks, Musica and The Body Shop, has 500 stores across southern Africa. NCH also has a strong presence in the healthcare market through its wholesale pharmaceutical distributor, New United Pharmaceutical Distributors (UPD), and in retail pharmacy where Clicks operates the largest drugstore chain in the country with 132 in-store dispensaries

The Background

Fair Cape is one of the biggest independent dairies in South Africa with a herd of 2300 cows of which 1150 are used for milk production. Fair Cape produces a line of free range milk and dairy products and has successfully differentiated its milk brand through its focus on the wellbeing of its animals and the environmental friendliness of its facilities. Fair Cape has recognised that climate change and its impacts are the biggest environmental challenges we face this century, and is proactively addressing these challenges in its operations. To complement these initiatives, Fair Cape commissioned GCX to conduct a carbon footprint assessment of its Milk Production Facility as an initial step.

The Background

Bakos Brothers is a family-owned furniture business offering an upmarket range of imported furniture and accessories as well as an interior design service. It is based in Gauteng and has four retail outlets...

The Objectives

Given the growing consumer concern around global warming and environmental issues, Peugeot wanted to demonstrate the ultra-efficiency of the 308 HDi, and to highlight that driving in a fuel-efficient manner will reduce a vehicle’s impact on the environment.

The Background

Dieu Donné Vineyards is an historic wine estate situated in the wine-growing region of the Western Cape, South Africa. The estate produces around 280 tons of grapes and 16,500 cases of premium red and white wine per annum, primarily for the export market. In addition, there is also a newly-built micro-brewery and upmarket restaurant on the estate.