Carbon footprint of individual cities is important, hence the development of the global gridded model of carbon footprints. It was developed by various contributors led by Dan Moran of the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU).
Of 18,000 cities under study, some observations were 100 cities drive 18% of global emissions. Culprits are dense, high- income cities and affluent burbs.
The Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research which has recorded data for over 50 years and placed South Africa number 14 in the world., recorded steady increases year on year in emissions released. There was an estimated 1,22% increase in emissions from 2018-2019 alone. “Emissions rose steadily for much of the past 50 years, growing from around 250MtCO2e in years1970 to a peak of 490MtCO2e in 2008.”
- South Africa carbon (co2) emissions for 2019 was 439,640.01, a 1.22% increase from 2018.
- South Africa carbon (co2) emissions for 2018 was 434,350.01, a 0.3% decline from 2017.
- South Africa carbon (co2) emissions for 2017 was 435,649.99, a 2.47% increase from 2016.
Information provided by the Climate Impact Research.
Carbon is released through burning fossil fuels such as oil, coal and gas, deforestation and the manufacturing of cement. Methane (CH4) is released through fossil fuel production, landfills, and agriculture. Nitrous oxide (N2O) is released through land use, agriculture and industrial activities, and treatment of wastewater.
Fluorinated gases include chlorofluorocarbon-12, hydrofluorocarbon-23, and sulfur hexafluoride. They are produced by industrial processes such as refrigeration and electricity transmission.
IQ Air Index by City
A score of between 0-50 is good, an indication of air quality considered satisfactory.
51-100 is moderate, with acceptable air quality. 101 upwards is considered unhealthy. Scores go all the way up to
Information obtained from the CITY US AQI
1 Springs, Gauteng 85
2 Ga-Rankuwa, North West 64
3 Johannesburg, Gauteng 61
4 eMbalenhle, Mpumalanga 60
5 Eastleigh, Gauteng 57
6 Pretoria, Gauteng 55
7 Soshanguve, Gauteng 55
8 Vanderbijlpark, Gauteng 54
9 Rosebank, Western Cape 50
10 Bethlehem, Free State 48