South Africa has taken a major step towards addressing climate change with the passage of its first comprehensive climate change law. President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed into law a landmark Climate Change Act that sets ambitious targets for emissions reduction and adaptation.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed into law a landmark Climate Change Act that sets ambitious targets for emissions reduction and adaptation. The act aims to ensure South Africa meets its commitments under the Paris Agreement, a global pact to combat climate change.
The country, currently the world's most carbon-intensive major economy and a top 15 greenhouse gas emitter, has struggled to meet its targets due to its heavy reliance on coal for electricity.
The new law mandates several critical actions:
Adaptation Plans: Every town and city is required to develop and implement an adaptation plan to mitigate climate change risks.
Emissions Caps: Each high-emitting government sector, including agriculture, transport, and industry, will be assigned emissions targets.
Carbon Budgets: Large greenhouse gas-emitting companies will be allocated carbon budgets, setting limits on their emissions over specific periods. Companies exceeding their budgets are likely to face higher carbon tax rates.
The law represents a shift in South Africa's approach to climate change, signaling a more proactive stance from the new government.
Earlier this month, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, head of the newly established Energy and Electricity Ministry, expressed a clear commitment to transitioning away from coal and accelerating the adoption of renewable energy sources.