COP31: What SA must do to deliver on its climate promises

ملخص مفصل

South Africa has introduced climate targets and legislation, but its continued reliance on coal raises questions about whether it can meet its emissions commitments.

Over the past 10 years, South Africa has made a number of promises to tackle climate change. These have included its first pledge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in 2016, a stronger target to reduce pollution in 2021 and a new climate law in 2024.

The country has now promised to further reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 2035, while protecting jobs, supporting economic development and moving towards cleaner energy.

In 2025, the International Court of Justice in the Hague issued advice on what governments of the world must do to prevent further climate change.

South Africa participated in these proceedings. The court was very clear that simply announcing plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions was not enough. Countries must also prove that they’ve taken steps to prevent present and future significant environmental harm.

South Africa’s latest climate pledge is set out in its Second Nationally Determined Contribution. The nationally determined contributions are technical plans and pledges by each country, stating exactly how much they will reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

We are legal scholars working on climate change, renewable energy, rule of law and human rights. We compared what South Africa has promised in its latest pledge to do about climate change with what the International Court of Justice says governments are legally required to do to protect people and the environment.

Our research found that South Africa has moved beyond making promises by setting specific climate targets and putting laws in place to help achieve them. However, more still needs to be done.

The country continues to depend on burning coal to generate over 70% of its electricity. This raises questions about whether South Africa can meet its own commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Climate pledges can now serve as important measures of government accountability. South Africa’s second climate pledge gives people a way to hold the government accountable.

مطلع المقال، مقتطف من Moneyweb. لقراءة المقال كاملًا، افتحه على موقع الناشر.