Browsing by Author "Du Plessis, Martin Johannes"

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    A carbon mapping framework for the international distribution of fresh fruit
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2023, 2023-03) Du Plessis, Martin Johannes; Van Eeden, Joubert; Goedhals-Gerber, Leila Louise; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Engineering. Dept. of Industrial Engineering.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The emissions impact of distributing goods such as fresh fruit is increasingly attracting attention due to the heightened awareness of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, despite the importance of freight logistics, assessing how transportation, handling, and storage of goods produce emissions, is largely an underdeveloped field. This is predominantly the result of a lack of practical industry guidance. The distribution of fresh fruit exported from South Africa is one such process that requires a standardised and accurate method to determine GHG emissions. The primary aim of this dissertation was to develop a carbon mapping framework and emission intensity factors for the international distribution (transportation, handling, and storage) of fresh fruit from South Africa. The framework and factors should enable any stakeholder with reasonable knowledge to calculate the carbon footprint (kg CO2e/kg of fruit) and the total emissions (kg CO2e) produced by the various distribution activities from a packing facility up until the port of discharge. To achieve this primary aim, several research objectives (ROs) were satisfied using a well-defined mixed methods research approach. This mixed methods approach was ideal since it enabled the triangulation of quantitative and qualitative input data. The sources of data included literature, observations, emission intensity factors developed from primary data collected from industry, distribution chain diagrams, semi-structured interviews with subject matter experts (SMEs), collaboration with the fruit export industry, and the iterative application of the framework to validate typical distribution scenarios by which fresh fruit is exported. The large number of different inputs enabled constant and continuous verification of each part of the research, thereby ensuring the subsequent results' validity and research rigour. Apart from the validation of each part of the research by SMEs, the validity of the research was also confirmed by the five journal articles included in the dissertation document. The application of the developed carbon mapping framework and associated emission intensity factors showed that the carbon footprint for scenarios where deep-sea ocean transport is used as mode for the main carriage varies between 0.31 and 0.84 kg CO2e/kg of fruit. If air transportation is used as mode for the main carriage, the carbon footprint can be up to 11.35 kg CO2e/kg of fruit. These results are, however, scenario-specific and depend on the transportation mode, the number of activities performed during the pre-carriage phase, the duration of storage, the packaging configuration of fruit, the transportation distances, and the origin-destination pair, amongst other things. However, it is certain that the distribution of fresh fruit, like many other commodities, emits a significant amount of emissions, necessitating urgent decarbonisation. The carbon mapping framework and emission intensity factors developed in this research not only set a standard for the South African fruit export industry to estimate distribution emissions but also provides other commodity groups with guidance to develop a similar emission accounting standard. With global freight volumes growing due to globalisation and economic progress, practical tools such as this framework are now more important than ever for understanding the emission impact of logistical decisions and freight distribution.