South Africa's climate plan

26.9.2015 Today South Africa submitted its national climate plan to the United Nations ahead of the climate change negotiations in Paris this December.

In the plan South Africa commits to peak its emissions between 2020 and 2025, plateau for a decade, and decline in absolute terms thereafter. The climate plan also highlights other actions like an innovative approach to adaptation.

David Waskow, International Climate Director, World Resources Institute, says: ’It is encouraging that South Africa has taken to the global stage with a commitment to peak its emissions between 2020 and 2025. South Africa’s plan is the latest in an important trend of developing countries announcing when their emissions will stop climbing.

’South Africa’s target for its peak is a wide range. To increase the chances that the world will stay below 2 degrees of warming, it will be important for South Africa to achieve the higher end of emission reductions in its plan. Cooperative efforts among countries to hasten the uptake of low-carbon technologies will help South Africa get there.

South Africa should be commended for its innovative approach to linking the level of emissions with the need for adaptation. The country is the first to concretely highlight the inseparable link between global emissions trajectories and future climate impacts in its climate plan.”