- President Cyril Ramaphosa has enacted the Climate Change Bill, aligning South Africa’s climate policies with global standards.
- The Act aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance climate resilience, and create new job opportunities while minimising job losses.
- The Act improves coordination among national sectors and defines roles for provinces and municipalities.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed the Climate Change Bill into law, marking a significant step in South Africa’s national climate strategy. This legislation introduces a comprehensive framework that addresses both mitigation and adaptation efforts related to climate change. The new law is pivotal in aligning South Africa’s climate policies and strategies with global standards, particularly those outlined in the Paris Agreement.
The Presidency emphasises that the Climate Change Act aims to streamline South Africa’s climate policies, removing inconsistencies that could hinder the nation’s transition to a low-carbon and climate-resilient economy. By integrating these policies, the Act fosters a cohesive approach to climate action, ensuring that efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build climate resilience do not face obstacles from conflicting policies.
A central goal of the Act is to enhance South Africa’s capacity to decrease greenhouse gas emissions over time. The country plans to achieve this through regulatory measures, incentives, and strategic investments in green technologies. In addition to environmental benefits, the legislation addresses economic impacts by minimising the risk of job losses linked to climate change mitigation efforts while creating new employment opportunities in the growing green economy.
The Act stresses the importance of improved coordination among various national sectors. The legislation supports South Africa’s commitments under the Paris Agreement by fostering better alignment and collaboration among government departments. This international accord, ratified by over 190 countries, requires signatories to undertake significant measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change.
Given the extensive impacts of climate change on multiple sectors, South Africa’s climate response is crucial. These impacts affect water resources, agriculture, forestry, human health, energy generation, industry, human settlements, disaster management, and biodiversity. The Presidency highlights that climate-induced challenges disproportionately affect poorer and more vulnerable communities. This reality underscores the need for a robust climate strategy that addresses environmental concerns and supports socio-economic development goals, including job creation and poverty alleviation.
The Climate Change Act establishes the Presidential Climate Commission, an essential body advising on the country’s climate strategy. This commission is crucial in ensuring that South Africa’s climate response is effective and equitable. Its mandate includes overseeing the implementation of the Act and guiding the transition towards a low-carbon, climate-resilient economy.
The Act also specifies the roles and responsibilities of provinces and municipalities in the climate mitigation process. By defining these roles, the legislation aims to enhance local involvement and ensure that climate strategies are implemented effectively at all levels of government.
Overall, the Climate Change Bill represents a significant advancement in South Africa’s approach to climate change. It provides a structured framework for addressing climate challenges while aligning with international commitments. The law integrates climate action into national policy, supports economic development, and builds resilience against the impacts of climate change.