South Africa approves first sweeping climate change law
TLDR
- South African President Cyril Ramaphosa signs comprehensive climate change act imposing caps on large emitters and mandating adaptation plans for every town and city.
- Climate Change Bill aims to help South Africa meet emissions reduction commitments under the Paris climate agreement by establishing emissions targets for key sectors.
- Law requires provinces and municipalities to assess climate change risks, develop response plans, and allocate carbon budgets to high-emitting companies.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed into law a comprehensive climate change act that will impose caps on large emitters and require every town and city to publish an adaptation plan.
The Climate Change Bill is designed to help South Africa meet its emissions reduction commitments under the Paris Climate Agreement. The law mandates that every province and municipality assess climate change risks and develop a response plan.
Emissions targets will be established for each high-emitting government sector, including agriculture, transport, and industry, with each relevant minister required to adopt measures to achieve these targets. The law also requires the environment minister to allocate a carbon budget to large greenhouse gas-emitting companies, setting a limit on their emissions over a specified period.
Key Takeaways
South Africa, the world's most carbon-intensive major economy and among the top 15 greenhouse gas emitters, is at risk of missing its emissions targets due to its heavy reliance on coal for electricity. The recently signed Climate Change Bill is the latest indication that South Africa's new government may take a more aggressive stance on climate change and renewable energy than its predecessors. The new energy minister has pledged to expedite the transition to renewables, although specific plans have yet to be detailed. Additionally, the funding mechanisms to support the new bill remain unclear.
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