Understanding Confronting Climate Change
Confronting Climate Change (CCC) is an initiative that was developed to support the agricultural sector, specifically agri-businesses. The initiative was conceptualised in 2008 and has developed exponentially since that date. Born out of the need to address the challenges posed by climate change and carbon emissions, CCC focuses on identifying and responding to the risks and opportunities associated with carbon emissions. The initiative has grown immensely over the years; there have been more than 2 000 carbon footprints calculated since 2008, there are more than 20 supported commodities on the tool, and more than 10 mega tonnes CO2e reported. The CCC reports can be used for IPW, SIZA, Woolworths Farming for the Future, and utilised in informing energy management and carbon reduction plans. This multifaceted initiative offers an online carbon-footprinting platform, industry benchmark reports, regular engagement workshops, and support throughout, providing a comprehensive approach to sustainability in agriculture.

Navigating the carbon footprint journey
CCC recognises that education and awareness are key to fostering sustainable practices. To achieve this, CCC offers a range of workshops tailored to different needs and expertise levels. These include Light and Full Workshops, as well as the more advanced Agri-Carbon Crash Course. Each workshop is meticulously designed to guide participants through their carbon-footprinting journey, demystifying concepts, and instilling a deeper understanding of carbon emissions and reduction strategies.
Light Workshop
This workshop is for organisations that have never used the CCC carbon footprint calculator. The workshop is an introduction to carbon footprinting. It includes why you should calculate your carbon footprint, a step-by-step on how to use the CCC tool and guidance on data entering. The session is online and at no cost.
Full Workshop
This workshop is for individuals within export companies, Department of Agriculture extension officers, industry association technical staff, or individuals able to assist growers within their region with details of the CCC tool. The workshop provides detailed technical training on the online CCC carbon calculator and covers a competency exercise that must be completed in order to receive a competency certificate. Support will be provided during and after the workshop with the completion of the exercise. The session is either online or in-person, is R1 105 for CCC license holders and R2 700 for non-license holders.
Agri-Carbon Crash Course
This workshop is for organisations that have already calculated their carbon footprint and would like to deepen their understanding of carbon emissions, how carbon emissions and climate change fit into your context and what you can do. The workshop covers topics such as: climate change and its potential impacts, carbon emissions, reduction and sequestration, climate-related matters, and how agricultural organisations can reduce their footprint. The session is online at a cost of R1 105.
CCC further offers a customised workshop option in which you can tailor the workshop to the needs of your business. This is an incredible offering. To learn more about the different workshops, or sign up for one, click here:
https://www.climatefruitandwine.co.za/Workshops.aspx
The Light Workshop – in detail
The Light Workshop provides an accessible entry point for individuals and businesses interested in understanding and calculating their carbon footprint. This workshop serves as a foundational step, laying the groundwork for more sustainable practices at no cost. Participants gain insights into the significance of measuring and reducing their carbon footprint, ensuring that the agricultural sector is equipped to address the challenges of climate change.
In a recent Light Workshop conducted by CCC, the response was overwhelming. The workshop witnessed a high number of enthusiastic attendees, reflecting a growing awareness and interest in sustainable practices within the agricultural community.
The engagement observed was an active participation, indicating a genuine eagerness to adopt eco-friendly measures.
Attendees expressed their feelings through feedback like “overwhelmingly insightful”, and, moving forward, they felt “enlightened”, “excited”, “curious” and “positive”, which can be seen in Figure 1. These sentiments underscored the effectiveness of the Light Workshop in imparting crucial knowledge. Moreover, participants left with a deeper understanding of carbon footprinting and its immense value for their businesses.

FIGURE 1. Infographic presenting responses from Light Workshop attendees.
A bright future awaits
As CCC continues to illuminate the path to sustainability through workshops like the Light Workshop, the feedback from attendees emphasises the positive impact these engagements are making.
CCC’s commitment to carbon-footprinting, teaching and sharing knowledge, as evidenced by the Light Workshop, not only reflects the urgency of addressing climate change, but also positions the agricultural community as proactive stewards of the environment. CCC continues to empower individuals and businesses, fostering a community dedicated to confronting climate change head-on.
If you would like to know more about any of the topics discussed in this article, or book a workshop, please contact the CCC team at support@bluenorth.co.za or 063 688 5593.
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