https://verra.org/data-insights/south-africa/january-2021/

DATA AND INSIGHTS: SOUTH AFRICA

VCS Quarterly Update

ISSUE #2 – Q4/2020
  • Main Takeaways

    •  

  • The Data
    • Summary Totals to Date
    • Latest Trends

We are pleased to present the second quarterly “Data and Insights” brief for South Africa, which includes up-to-date cumulative data on VCS activity in the country as well as information about recent trends through December 2020.

Under South Africa’s Carbon Tax Act, tax-liable entities can satisfy up to 10% of their tax obligations by purchasing carbon offsets. Verra’s Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) Program is recognized as an accredited standard under this regulation, and entities with tax obligations can use Verified Carbon Units (VCUs) to cover a portion of their tax liability. As the first Carbon Tax payments for the 2019 tax year were due by 30 October 2020, VCU issuances picked up significantly prior to that date.

More information is available at: 

Main Takeaways

COVID-19 notwithstanding, VCU issuances in 2020 far surpassed 2019 issuances.
The launch of the South African Carbon Offset Administration System (COAS) Mechanism surged VCU issuances.
VCUs in South Africa are largely retired for compliance purposes.
VCS DATA AND INSIGHTS: SOUTH AFRICA – Q4/2020
PROJECTS
This chart includes cumulative data about VCS projects in South Africa.
Project Total
Under Development 1
Under Validation 1
Registration Requested 2
Registered 15
Transferred* 8
*Projects whose credits were transferred from another GHG program
Project Types

AFOLU*

 

 Energy industries (renewable/non-renewable sources)

 

Waste handling and disposal

 

Transport

 

Chemical industry

 

Industrial processing

Project Total
AFOLU* 4
Energy industries (renewable/non-renewable sources) 8
Waste handling and disposal 6
Transport 1
Chemical industry 7
Industrial processing 1
*Agriculture, Forestry, and Land Use
4,837,467 Expected Annual Reductions from All Projects in South Africa
SUMMARY TOTALS TO DATE
VCU ISSUANCES* (TOTAL TO DATE)

*One VCU represents one tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent that was removed from the atmosphere or not emitted.

Greenhouse gas equivalencies for emission reductions and removals were calculated using the EPA Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator

540,423,886
VCUs Globally
116,755,105
cars taken off the road
for a year
2,035,052 VCUs from Projects in South Africa
VCU Issuances by Year
*The South Africa carbon tax was implemented in 2019.
VCU Issuances by Project Type

 Energy industries

 

Waste handling and disposal

 

Chemical industry

 

Industrial Processing

Project Type VCUs
Energy industries 275,639
Waste handling and disposal 422,177
Chemical industry 1,327,593
Industrial Processing 9,643
RETIREMENTS
1,847,123 VCUs
30,542,570
cars taken off the road
for a year
281,283 VCUs Retired for Voluntary Purposes
1,565,840 VCUs Retired for Compliance Purposes
516,745VCUs Retired & Listed in the COAS for the Oct 30, 2020 tax period

ISSUANCES FOR Q3 OF 2020
46,436
VCUs
ISSUANCES FOR Q4 2020**
1,077,574
VCUs
RETIREMENTS FOR Q3 2020
151,824
VCUs
RETIREMENTS FOR Q4 2020**
1,169,308
VCUs
** As of 31 December 2020
Retirements: Compliance vs. Voluntary
*AFOLU – Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use
DOWNLOAD SOURCE DATA FILE
Registered
15 Projects
56% of total
Energy industries (renewable/non-renewable sources)
30% of total
Waste handling and disposal
21% of total
Compliance

85% of total