South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed a landmark climate change act into law, marking a significant step in the country’s efforts to combat climate change. The new legislation, known as the Climate Change Bill, sets emissions caps for large emitters and mandates that every town and city in South Africa publish an adaptation plan to address climate risks.
The South African presidency recently announced this development, highlighting that the bill aims to help South Africa meet its emissions reduction commitments under the Paris Agreement.
South Africa’s emissions
South Africa’s emissions (excluding land use) increased by 48% between 1990 and 2018 to 557 MtCO₂e. Although stabilising in recent years, emissions in all categories – except agriculture – have increased in that timeframe. To be 1.5°C ‘fair-share’ compatible, South Africa must ensure it achieves reductions in line with the bottom of its 2030 NDC range.
Note that South Africa’s economy is the most coal-dependent in the G20. The coal mining sector employs over 90,000 workers, concentrated in regions with high unemployment levels, making the transition more challenging.
Climate change severely threatens water quality and availability in South Africa, with extreme floods and droughts resulting in reduced crop production, livestock deaths and water scarcity.
The law – a basic architecture
“This is very significant in that it’s the first time our climate change response is directly brought into domestic law,” said Brandon Abdinor, a lawyer at South Africa’s Centre for Environmental Rights, a non-profit organization. “A lot of work needs to be done, but this act puts the basic architecture in place for that to happen.”
While the presidency’s statement did not specify the exact date Ramaphosa signed the law, it emphasized the requirement that every province and municipality assess climate change risks and develop response plans. The law also sets emissions targets for high-emitting sectors such as agriculture, transport, and industry. Each relevant minister is responsible for adopting measures to achieve these targets.
Carbon targets
A key component of the new law is the introduction of carbon budgets, which the environment minister must allocate to large greenhouse gas-emitting companies. These budgets will limit these companies’ emissions over a specified period.
While the specific allocations have yet to be determined, the law stops short of criminalizing exceeding these limits. However, companies surpassing their carbon budgets will likely face higher carbon taxes.
The enactment of the Climate Change Bill signals a potential shift in South Africa’s climate and energy policy approach. The new energy minister has pledged to accelerate the transition to renewable energy, although specific plans and timelines have not yet been outlined.
No clear financial implications
Additionally, the financial aspects of supporting the new bill remain uncertain. While Western donors have offered substantial loans to aid the transition, South African officials argue that these funds are insufficient to meet the full scale of the country’s climate finance needs.
As South Africa implements this new climate legislation, the focus will be on ensuring effective compliance and securing adequate funding to support its ambitious goals. The success of these efforts will be crucial in positioning South Africa as a leader in the global fight against climate change.