Ecoserv was contracted by eThekwini Municipality (Development Planning) to develop a greenhouse gas emission inventory for the municipal activities within the Municipality. Various gases, primarily Carbon Dioxide, Methane and volatile organic carbons contribute to the phenomenon known as global warming. In an effort to retard this process, institutions and governments have initiated programmes to identify sources of greenhouse gases, and to consider and implement alternatives.

The consolidation of an inventory, listing each of the sources and their respective magnitudes, is generally the first step in this process. This has been the nature of this project.

Ecoserv proceeded by identifying various information providers within the Municipality, and then requesting specific information regarding activities that could result in greenhouse gas emissions from these individuals. The information was consolidated in a database provided by the Municipality. The results are presented and analysed in order to determine the relative contributions of various activities and actions. Recommendations are made as to potential interventions in order to decrease the greenhouse gas load associated with the Municipality.