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| Our environmental performance |
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Continuous monitoring and reporting of air quality are essential
components of all Sasol environmental management programmes at our
petrochemical plants. |
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| Targeting other atmospheric pollutants |
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Notable milestones were achieved in reducing atmospheric emissions throughout the group, primarily in South Africa where projects are being implemented against the backdrop of the new National Environment Management: Air Quality Act, which stipulates new ambient air quality standards. Total hydrogen sulphide (H2S) emissions during the year amounted to 78 kt, representing a 12% reduction on the previous reporting period. Our total sulphur dioxide (SO2) emissions remained at much the same level, while we achieved a 2% reduction in total nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions compared with the previous year.
Significant reductions were achieved as a direct result of the conversion from coal to natural gas feedstock at our Sasolburg operations. As expected, our H2S odours from coal gasification, which were within statutory limits, were eliminated in Sasolburg following the conversion. Significant efforts are also being made to reduce H2S emissions emanating from the Secunda operation.
We have recently embarked on a process to evaluate emissions of
volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particularly those emitted near ground level, with the aim of identifying, quantifying and prioritising
these emissions. The GEC agreed to a group-wide target of achieving
at least a 50% reduction in the emission of VOCs, on the baseline of
the 2005 financial year, by July 2015. The compounds included
within the target are internationally recognised for their potential
long-term effect on employees and/or communities at a local level.
They are benzene, butadiene, ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, vinyl
chloride monomer, acetaldehyde and formaldehyde. Projects have
been implemented at our Natref refinery in Sasolburg to reduce the phasing out the use of ozone-depleting substances at all our
operations in accordance with the specified requirements of the
Montreal Protocol, including in operations based in countries that
have not ratified the Montreal Protocol.
The recent adoption by Sasol of minimum SH&E requirements will
ensure all new operations conform with internationally accepted
environmental and health standards. We have continued to make
a significant contribution to ambient air quality monitoring and
research activities in South Africa, including establishing an
innovative research partnership with Eskom aimed at jointly
assessing the impact of current emissions and identifying appropriate
solutions, where required. |
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| Atmospheric emissions (thousand tonne) |
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Hydrogen sulphide |
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Nitrogen oxides |
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Sulphur dioxide |
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Non-methane hydrocarbons |
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| Promoting energy efficiency |
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During the reporting period, our energy efficiency improved relative
to our continuing increase in production. Identifying and
implementing additional energy-efficiency initiatives remains a
priority and is part of our commitment to reduce GHG emissions. In
South Africa, we are signatories to the Energy Efficiency Accord with
other companies and the DME. Through this accord, we are
committed to reducing energy consumption per unit produced by
15% by 2015, with 2000 as the base year.
A number of significant energy-efficiency projects have been
identified at our Secunda operation and are in various stages of
development, with significant capital investment provided for them.
These include projects relating to: |
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the production of steam from waste heat; |
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improving the efficiency of rotating equipment; |
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improving the utilisation of coal; and |
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reducing electricity consumption, product losses and flares. |
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| Some of these projects are being undertaken in partnership with
Eskom, South Africa's state-owned electricity supplier. It is
anticipated that significant energy-efficiency improvements will be
realised over the next three to four years. |
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| Energy use (million gigajoules) |
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Electricity purchased |
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Electricity generated |
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Coal |
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Fuel oil |
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Gas |
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Other |
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Total production (million tonne) |
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