South Africa Reinforces Pledge to Honor Climate Commitments

South Africa is demonstrably committed to its climate change interventions as per the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement, Dr. Dion George, Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister, confirmed recently. Speaking at the crucial forum of the Brazil, South Africa, India, and China (BASIC) Ministerial Meeting, Minister George highlighted key steps South Africa is embarking on toward sustainability and greenhouse gas mitigation, emphasizing integrity and accountability in its actions.

Amid preparations for the 8th Session of the Ministerial Meeting on Climate Action (MoCA) hosted in Wuhan, China, Minister George revealed that South Africa is diligently progressing with its second Nationally Determined Contribution and is preparing to submit its inaugural Biennial Transparency Report. These steps mark significant strides as South Africa moves towards transparent and measured approaches in combating climate change.

South Africa's focus is on concrete and ambitious actions encapsulated in the Just Energy Transition Investment Plan (JET-IP), which targets systemic transformations in electricity production, transportation, and industry with advancements in electric vehicles and green hydrogen production. This undertaking is in concordance with plans for a broader, economy-wide transition that is socially equitable and environmentally sustainable – a vision embodied in the parliamentary adoption of the Climate Change Bill and consistent with the propositions set forth in the 2011 National Climate Change Response White Paper.

The BASIC Ministerial assemblage, a pivotal event for dialogue among emerging economies on climate change negotiation strategies for the forthcoming Conference of Parties (COP29), saw discussions on the finalization of worldwide carbon market rules, adaptation strategies, and financial mechanisms to support climate action. Minister George emphasized the crucial requirement for developed countries to deliver authentic support to the developing world, facilitating an inclusive approach to the Paris Agreement and sustaining the ambition of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Beyond the BASIC meeting, the focus will swiftly shift to the MoCA, from 22-23 July 2024, representing an invaluable opportunity for global climate leaders to convene and elevate negotiation efforts at a ministerial level. As MoCA seeks to bridge differences and solidify common ground ahead of COP29, South Africa stands as a proactive advocate for balanced consideration of both adaptation and mitigation in climate policies, along with heightened international collaboration.