Cape Town - The Climate Change Bill assented into law by President Cyril Ramaphosa has been widely welcomed.
The bill sets out a national climate change response to ensure that South Africa’s transition to a low-carbon and climate resilient economy and society is not constrained by policy contradictions.
It was signed by Ramaphosa on Tuesday, with the aim of strengthening co-ordination between national sector departments and to provide policy setting and decision-making.
Ramaphosa said South Africa is one of more than 190 members of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change who are parties to the eight-year-old Paris Agreement.
“South Africa’s mitigation measures are a response to climate change impacts that are increasingly experienced across a number of sectors including water resources; agriculture and food production; forestry and fisheries; human health; energy generation; industry; human settlements and migration; disaster management; biodiversity and terrestrial ecosystems.
“These impacts will disproportionately affect poor communities and vulnerable groups and could affect South Africa’s ability to meet its development and economic growth goals, including job creation and poverty reduction,” Ramaphosa said.
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) noted among the key provisions of the bill included establishing a national greenhouse gas emission trajectory, requiring several ministers to develop and implement measures to address climate change.
DFFE Minister Dion George, said: “The President’s signing of the climate change bill into law marks a significant milestone in our nation’s commitment to addressing climate change. It sets out a national climate change response, including mitigation and adaptation actions, which also constitutes South Africa’s fair contribution to the global climate change response.
Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning MEC Anton Bredell welcomed the bill.
“This legislation underscores our collective dedication to safeguarding our environment, communities, and future generations while capitalising on opportunities that promote economic growth. As we celebrate this milestone, we acknowledge that swift implementation is of great importance,” Bredell said.
The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) said the bill allowed for the mainstreaming of climate targets across government ministries.
James Reeler, WWF’s senior manager for climate action, said: “After nearly 10 years of engagement, and seven years after the first draft bill was published, it is heartening to see this act finally passed. Over this same period, South Africa has emitted over 4 billion tons of carbon dioxide, and the evidence of climate change impacts on people’s lives and livelihoods has become increasingly apparent. The importance of this framework law in guiding our response to this crisis cannot be overstated.”
Cape Argus