Sasol Climate Change Report 2022 - Book - Page 44
INTRODUCTION
OUR FUTURE SASOL STRATEGY
RISKS AND OPPORTUNITIES
GOVERNANCE
DATA AND ASSURANCE
ADAPTING TO CLIMATE CHANGE (CONTINUED)
Responding to climate change (continued)
Our site-specific risk profiles
Development of Sasol’s adaptation materiality assessment
Our risk exposure resides at site level and hence the risk profiles for Secunda, Sasolburg, Mining,
Mozambique and North American operations were reviewed.
Adaptation materiality assessments were undertaken for the Secunda and Lake Charles Operations because of
their strategic and financial importance to the Sasol Group. A materiality assessment matrix was developed to
identify risk levels, prioritise and manage the risks. Risks were rated on a three-tier scale of high, medium and low.
The risk assessment process involved identifying and assessing the top risk events associated with the
physical risks of climate change against which we developed adaptation responses. Our detailed risk
assessment methodology is on page 13. Our risk events were broadly grouped into two themes, a rise
in temperature and an increase in the intensity and frequency of extreme weather events. Interlinkages
between the risk themes were identified. Anticipated weather events include excess rainfall, thunderstorms,
wind speeds, lightning and hurricanes. The risk profile process we followed included:
The risk review confirmed the risk themes that were already captured and that our approach is appropriate. For all
identified adaptation risks, mitigation controls were in place. For example, under the theme of weather readiness,
an early warning system, protocols for operating during extreme weather events, regional weather forecasts and
warnings and business continuity were common response themes. The table below summarises Secunda
Operations broad focus areas and key controls.
Summarised view of Sasol Energy: Secunda Operation’s adaptation risks and controls
• The top risks were assessed for potential impact
on the business and the adequacy of the response
measures;
• The risk owner for each identified risk was
confirmed; and
• A residual risk rating was determined through
facilitated and participatory risk workshops.
2. GROUPING RISK EVENTS
INTO THEMES OF:
Risk consequence
• Increasing temperature;
Controls
(in addition to the weather readiness procedure)
• Excess rainfall;
• Droughts; and
• Wind and lightning.
3. IDENTIFYING RESULTANT IMPACTS AND INTERLINKAGES BETWEEN RISK THEMES:
Increase in temperatures leading to:
• changes in process cooling envelopes and a risk of veld fires occurring;
• an increase in the prevalence of extreme hot days (heat stress); and
• changes in the risk profile of product storage practices.
Excess rainfall leading to:
• flooding and wastewater storage dams being operated above the freeboard resulting in a greater
risk of uncontrolled overflow or release as an operations risk.
Droughts leading to:
Risk theme
INCREASE IN
TEMPERATURE
CHRONIC AND ACUTE RISKS
1. IDENTIFYING AND ASSESSING THE TOP RISK EVENTS:
INCREASE IN
TEMPERATURE/
CHANGING RAINFALL
PATTERNS
INCREASE IN THE
FREQUENCY AND
SEVERITY OF EXTREME
WEATHER EVENTS
• constraints on our water supply.
SASOL CLIMATE CHANGE REPORT 2022 43
Reduced cooling capacity
during periods of extreme
heat
Optimise efficiency of cooling systems
Workers experiencing heat
stress
Apply applicable protocols when working outside
during extreme hot days
Uncontrolled veld fires during
dry seasons
Implemented early warning and emergency
response preparedness for managing
uncontrolled fires
Flooding resulting in overflow
of wastewater storage dams
Managing water balances to prevent
uncontrolled releases
Wind damage and working
in extreme wind
Apply applicable protocols when working outside
during extreme wind
Lightning, damage and safety
concerns
Early warning system in place and operational
Flooding of operational sites
Introduced flood preventative control measures
