Dube TradePort's Green Initiatives
We are striving to be the first purpose-built aerotropolis in Africa, with one of the few greenfield airports in the world, and the first green city on the African Continent.
Dube TradePort’s aerotropolis brings together an airport, Cargo Terminal, AgriZone, TradeZone and Dube City – Africa’s first green precinct. It is a green development that is a flagship for sustainable development in Africa and beyond.
Situated on a 2 040-hectare site, Dube TradePort is committed to promoting sustainable development through minimizing and preventing environmental impacts, and putting a number of green initiatives in place to reduce the carbon footprint of travellers, developers, manufacturers,retailers, service providers and others who use the facilities of Dube TradePort or work there.
In the pursuit of sustainability, Dube TradePort strives to meet the needs of local communities, employees and travelling clients.
It is currently running initiatives to minimise and mitigate greenhouse gases and synthetic pollutants, protect the ecosystem, run sustainable water and waste management systems, provide food security and boost the green economy.
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What is Climate Change and How does it Affect Us?
Climate change has been caused by greenhouse gases derived from human activities since the Industrial Revolution. Activities such as the burning of fossil fuels and rainforests that have resulted in an increased concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
These gases trap some of the infrared radiation that escapes from the Earth, making the Earth warmer. They act as a kind of "blanket" for infrared radiation, keeping the lower layers of the atmosphere warmer, and the upper layers colder.
Climate change is already beginning to transform life on Earth. Around the globe, seasons are shifting, temperatures are climbing and sea levels are rising. And meanwhile, our planet must still supply us – and all living things – with air, water, food and safe places to live. If we don't act now, climate change will rapidly alter the lands and waters we all depend upon for survival, leaving our children and grandchildren with a very different world.
Some of the most dangerous consequences of climate change are rising temperatures, changing landscapes, wildlife at risk, the increased risk of drought, fire and floods, stronger storms and increased storm damage, more heat-related illness and disease, and economic losses.
Dube AiRoad's Euro 5 Emission Trucks
Our Euro 5 emission trucks let you green your supply chain by limiting the amount of exhaust gases and emission of particles.
Dube AiRoad is a dedicated, time-sensitive logistics fleet that connects the Cargo Terminal to major cities and airports in Southern Africa.
It collects from and delivers to areas as far afield as Maputo, Johannesburg and the Eastern Cape.
As part of the fleet is refrigerated, cold chain integrity is also secured. Perishables requiring two different temperature settings can be transported at the same time, saving customers valuable time and money.
Pick-up and drop-off is available within a 6-hour radius of Dube TradePort, and flexible pricing is offered.
Currently, the following vehicles form part of our fleet:
• 3 x 44 foot taut liner trailers
• 1 x 44 foot refrigeration trailer
• 4 x MAN Trucks
• 1 x VW constellation Truck
Dube City - A Green City Precinct
We’ve developed the first green city precinct in Africa.
Dube City is the first purpose-built aviation-related city precinct in Africa that has also been designed along green principles.
Developed along sustainable development guidelines and just 1 km from King Shaka International Airport, Dube City is an urban ‘green’ hub located within the Dube TradePort that provides a secure, world-class, cosmopolitan, 24-hour business, trade and retail experience.
With structures aiming to clearly define open spaces and streets, this area will boast pedestrian-friendly zones, a tree-lined boulevard and dedicated cycle lanes, green roofs and renewable energy.
It will also incorporate multifunctional lawn spaces and a public square.
Currently in its first phase of development, Dube City comprises a 12-hectare site. Dube TradePort’s own headquarters, 29° South, is situated at the heart of Dube City and will incorporate office, hospitality, entertainment and retail experiences.
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Dube AgriZone's Green Initiatives
We’ve developed the first smart, integrated, high-tech agricultural cluster hosting the largest climate-controlled growing area under glass in Africa.
Dube AgriZone has several green initiatives. Photovoltaic solar panels have been installed on one of the AgriZone packhouses to supplement the energy requirements of these facilities. A second packhouse is in the process of being equipped, and more solar panels will be supplied to smaller packhouses.
Visit the Sunny Portal website to see real-time data on the power that is being generated by this system, and the CO2 emissions that are saved.
Rainwater harvesting takes place at each greenhouse platform and is being attenuated and stored in closed surface storage ponds adjacent each greenhouse platform. Water supply is also supplemented by boreholes. By being able to completely control the climate within the greenhouses, higher yields than conventional farming methods result.
Clearing of alien species and rehabilitation of wetlands and terrestrial environments within the AgriZone has offset the impacts of the development.
To date, more than 13 000 individual indigenous plants and trees have been reintroduced over an area of 4 hectares and all alien vegetation has been removed from the remainder of the entire 20-hectare site. Such projects have the potential to incorporate assistance from local communities.
In the AgriZone nursery, indigenous, rare and endangered species are propagated and used in the rehabilitation areas. Rainwater harvesting in the nursery supplements the water used for irrigation.
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Dube Cargo Terminal's Paperless Trade
We’ve initiated the first paperless transaction in a Cargo Terminal in the world.
Dube Cargo Terminal uses digital documents in its operations.
Currently, as an industry standard, there are at least 30 paper documents that need to be circulated across at least 9 points (import/export customs, carriers, airports, freight forwarders, and the like) for each item transported on every flight.
This means that, worldwide, each air cargo shipment carries with it as many as 30 paper documents – enough to fill 80 Boeing 747 freighters every year.
Dube Cargo Terminal has therefore instituted a paperless system that digitally transfers information to all relevant authorities and stakeholders about every item being transported.
This will effectively help to lower the carbon footprint, lower the costs (generating industry savings worldwide of up to US$4,9 billion annually), and provide a faster service, greater reliability and greater accuracy, thanks to a onetime electronic data entry at point of origin, as well as immediate online track and trace functionality.
Green Star Rating at 29° South
Our head office sets the standard for a 4-star green rating and will be the benchmark design for all Dube City architecture and the first green city precinct in Africa.
29º South is the first building in Dube City, a city venture that is geared for enormous growth. It spills out onto Dube Square and the Pedestrian Mall and has six commercial premises on the ground floor. Energy requirements in the building are reduced due to optimal orientation and smart building operational systems.
Through practising smart design, the use of natural light has been optimised. In addition to this, an intelligent lighting system has been installed; it includes occupancy sensors, as well as light sensors that calculate the amount of natural light entering the space and adjust accordingly to ensure that the lux level does not exceed that set by the green-star standard.
There are also heat, ventilation, cooling and carbon dioxide sensors. Exhaust risers extract the harmful fumes from the building. Rainwater is harvested for use in landscaping, and a rooftop
garden helps cool the building.
Preferential parking is given to fuel-efficient cars, and there are cyclist facilities.
Dube Rehabilitation and Restoration
We are committed to removing alien plants and restoring 600 hectares of disturbed land to functioning ecosystems within the next three years.
Alien clearing will occur on a further 900 hectares of the site earmarked for future development.
Restored areas will be transformed into usable spaces by creating pathways, walkways and bicycle routes for the public to enjoy. The project is aimed at offsetting the environmental impact of Dube TradePort’s developments.
Through the reintroduction of indigenous species, including rare and endangered plants, the project will create an aesthetically pleasing environment and healthy ecosystems, rich in biodiversity, that provide habitat for a wide range of species.
In short, through responsible management practices, Dube Rehab will be creating an environment that will be suitable for nature and industry to co-exist.
Green initiatives other than the rehabilitation and restoration project include: water demand management and conservation, solar photovoltaic energy, rainwater harvesting, as well as carbon and energy audits from our head office (29º South) and the TradeHouse.
Dube CSI
We are empowering local communities through various projects to become more self sufficient.
Initiatives include renewable energy solutions, food security, skills development and job creation.
Dube Green CSI Projects is assisting local schools by providing them with photovoltaic solar panel systems, thus reducing their energy bills and offsetting the carbon footprint of the school through the use of renewable energy.
In addition, Dube TradePort has initiated a trading system that allows learners in disadvantaged schools to trade recyclables for fresh produce from the AgriZone. Trading is undertaken every Friday, after which the produce is taken home and used by their families. This project also introduces learners to the principles of recycling and assists in reducing litter within the local community. Approximately 600 kg of fresh produce is traded for recyclables every week!
Dube TradePort will also be initiating organic vegetable gardens in disadvantaged schools
early in 2012.
They will be cared for by the learners until vegetables are ready for harvesting. The learners will then sell the vegetables grown, after which funds generated will be split between the school and the learners. This will create an entrepreneurial spirit amongst learners. These gardens will also provide a natural laboratory for learners, allowing them to apply what is learnt in the classroom. Skills learnt can also be used at home to start similar gardens in local communities.
Dube ULD Design
We’re getting the international design industry involved, through our association with the world-renowned DESIGN INDABA, to green our future supply chains.
We aim to possibly introduce a new generation ULD that is lighter and therefore reduces the carbon emissions of the aircraft transporting it. We are running a global competition that invites designers to design the next generation Unit Load Device (ULD) for the air cargo industry and win $20 000.
The air cargo industry is a billion-dollar business that utilises close to 1 million Unit Load Devices (ULDs) across the globe daily, carrying approximately 80 million tons of cargo, ranging from computer hardware to vital medical supplies. If goods are flown in, they more than likely arrived in a ULD.
We have challenged the international design community to design a lighter ULD in order to reduce our impact on the planet.
Future Green Initiatives
Our vision is to become the first carbon neutral tradeport in Africa.
By developing a Carbon Management Strategy (CMS), we have begun the long journey towards achieving this. There is a great deal that can be done to mitigate against carbon emissions, and whilst we cannot ensure that all the green initiatives we identify will be undertaken, we will do our utmost to encourage and help facilitate them.
We aim to work in partnership with relevant airport and tradeport stakeholders. Each stakeholder will need to change the way they do things to achieve carbon neutrality in the long-term.
Ground transportation
• In the short-term, work towards public transport being driven by bio-fuels rather than fossil fuels.
• In the long-term, work towards creating a light rail system to service the airport and tradeport.
• To work with the taxi industry to look at utilising or converting to bio-fuels.
Energy
• Generate a greater mix of green power, such as solar, wind and bio-gas options into the energy grid that serves the tradeport.
Waste
• Develop waste recycling systems that are able to convert back into energy and recycled products.
• Work in conjunction with retailers and surrounding businesses, towards creating sustainable waste management systems.
The airlines can
• Look at mixing jet fuel with bio-fuel.
• Flying green, spending minimum time on the taxiways and planning their flights more carefully to reduce fuel consumption.
General public
• Encourage members of the public to regularly make use of a carbon footprint calculator.
• Encourage public to carpool.
• Encourage members of the public to purchase green products.
Green office initiatives
• Encourage developers to create sustainable green buildings.
• Encourage companies to create sustainable paperless offices.
• Work closely with tenants to help them reduce the size of their carbon footprint.
