Abstract

This study calculates a carbon footprint for Tara Road in the South Durban Industrial Basin, KwaZulu-Natal. Carbon footprints are useful for raising local awareness of the climate implications of the goods and services that residents choose to consume. They further highlight the impacts of local traffic and industry beyond traditional concerns related to the health effects of air pollution. Door-to-door interviews and inventories allowed for the calculation of residential, commercial and traffic contributions to Tara Road’s carbon footprint. By and large, participants were enthusiastic about the research and the opportunity to contribute to an understanding of a globally important issue. No data from the local oil refinery were provided despite repeated verbal and written requests to management. Although only a partial footprint could be calculated, the results allowed for an assessment of the direct contributions of residents to local emissions and highlighted their indirect role as consumers and citizens in the drive to limit greenhouse gas emissions at a larger scale. These roles rely upon the availability of relevant and trustworthy information, and we discuss the implications for scientific research and community engagement on politically and economically sensitive issues in the context of state protection of pollutive industries and a national drive to limit public rights to sensitive information.