The President has enacted the Climate Change Act. This new law mandates that all levels of government—municipal, provincial, and national—adhere to unified goals for reducing carbon emissions and mitigating the impacts of climate change. This move aims to eliminate contradictory policies across the country, emphasizing that climate change is a collective responsibility.
As the 15th largest emitter of greenhouse gases globally, South Africa aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. The new Climate Change Act has been widely welcomed as a significant step forward.
The legislation sets emission limits for greenhouse gases, tailored to specific sectors. Sherelee Odayar of Greenpeace Africa hailed the law as a major advance:
“This is a significant step in South Africa’s commitment to addressing the climate crisis and reducing our CO2 emissions. The success of this law will largely depend on the actual implementation of these measures, which will require political will.”
Provinces and cities are now required to assess their climate risks and implement action plans. For instance, Durban, which suffered deadly floods in 2022, will be better equipped to protect itself, according to Blessing Manale, spokesperson for the Presidential Climate Commission:
“The Durban metro is now able to budget for disasters, develop a climate adaptation plan, and create strategies to overcome climatic challenges. This was not possible before because, in South Africa, funding is typically allocated only if there is a predefined function for it.”
Under the new law, the Presidential Climate Commission becomes an independent body that advises and monitors the government. Ministers will be summoned if they fail to meet their targets.
The enactment of the Climate Change Act signifies South Africa’s serious commitment to combating climate change, fostering a cohesive and proactive approach across all levels of governance.