Climate Change

Climate change is a global issue. Botala recognises that by becoming a clean energy producer and contributing to Botswana’s decarbonisation objective.

Our decarbonisation strategy outlines key actions to minimise Botala’s carbon footprint. The strategy is based on: minimising emissions through good engineering designs and management; reducing emissions using improved processes; replacing inefficient technology; and offsetting carbon emissions.

Fuel Switching (replacing coal with gas) is a critical milestone in the transition from high carbon-emitting coal, to cleaner, and ultimately net zero, carbon dioxide emissions. This switch to gas typically reduces carbon dioxide emissions by at least 50%. Botala’s objective is to convert solar energy to electricity using large solar hybrids, with cbm used for baseload. This should contribute to Botswana’s decarbonisation strategy by transitioning to cleaner and more reliable electricity.

Botala will implement carbon reduction strategies that are likely to include certified carbon offset projects. These strategies focus on reducing atmospheric emissions and achieving Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations; and will possibly require investment in quality offsets such as human induced habitat regeneration and conservation, vegetation establishment, and fuel switching.

Botala is also conscious of Botswana’s vulnerability to the negative impacts of climate change. As we factor these negative impacts into our strategic planning and risk management processes. Our adaptation plans include consideration of site design to cater for extreme weather events and resource shortages. In addition, our contribution to energy diversification will increase the resilience of Botswana’s energy sector and the water produced will assist in addressing the risk of diminishing water resources.

The following outlines benefits to positive action on Climate Change:

Reduced Carbon Emissions

• Botala’s proposed solar complexes complete with batteries and cbm turbines or generators will contribute to reducing carbon emissions per unit of electricity.
• Switching from coal to cbm typically reduces carbon dioxide emissions by at least 50%. Generation of electricity from solar will further contribute to decarbonisation.

National financial impact

• Replacing imported electricity with local solar and cbm generated electricity will reduce import expenditure.
• Botala’s reliable, clean energy and the favourable attributes of its industrial hub are expected to attract new-age industries wanting access to markets in Southern Africa.
• Botala’s Lupani Energy and Industrial Park is expected to attract new-age industries, supporting and downstream industries, and new investors. The financial impact is likely to be long-term.

Employment

• Industrial uses of CNG and LNG are expected to result in supply and distribution services, especially for the transport industry and operators of heavy machinery and generators. This should stimulate opportunities in logistics, business management and indirect employment.
• There will be employment and entrepreneurial opportunities to distribute, sell and refill CNG and LNG for industrial and domestic use by urban and rural households.
• Establishment of new-age industries will create employment and stimulate skills development.

Environment

• Conversion of trucks, buses, heavy machinery and stationary generators from diesel to CNG and LNG will contribute to decarbonisation in Botswana.
• Substituting CNG for firewood will aid in reducing habitat destruction by over-collection of firewood and allow forests, bushland and arid zones to regenerate.

Social

• Health: Reduce and possibly remove major health issues associated with smoke inhalation from wood fires in small rooms with limited ventilation.
• Education: Removing the need for firewood will allow women and children to spend their time more beneficially, including school attendance.
• Equal opportunity: As women and particularly girls don’t need to collect firewood, they can in turn spend their time either in school or other employment opportunities. Carbon-offset projects will probably involve partnering with local groups, in particular women, and provide equal opportunity employment and upskilling through training programmes.