Implementation of previous agreed decisions
South Africa supports the sentiment expressed by our basic partners and the rest of G77 and China that Warsaw should enhance confidence building by agreeing to implement previously agreed decisions, in particular, the issues of finance, closing the ambition gap and addressing the issue of loss and damage.
Finance is the key to unlocking ambitious actions and co-operation between developed and developing countries. Annex II Parties should keep to the letter and spirit of the Convention in this regard. It is difficult to encourage developing countries to do more when they do not have the means to do so. We all want to do more but we must create an enabling environment for this to happen. Therefore, we call upon our partners to urgently address the issue of finance.
On closing the ambition gap, South Africa looks forward to the establishment of a work plan for adaptation and mitigation action under work stream 2 of the ADP. For this to be meaningful, it must be supported by adequate means of implementation. If done correctly we believe we will be able to unlock more ambition than we currently have.
On loss and damage, some progress was made in Doha on this issue. It is however not helpful to re-negotiate previous agreements to establish institutional arrangements. We need to conclude the functions of the institution, as well as form and reporting arrangements in Warsaw.
Ratification of the Kyoto Protocol and revisit of ambition in 2014
The most important part of the trust building process is the ratification of the second commitment of the Kyoto Protocol. I am pleased to say that South Africa is at an advanced stage of ratification.
We are disturbed by signals from some quarters that ratification may be difficult, and from others that they intend to reduce their pledges. This is not a good sign for confidence in the international climate regime. We encourage all Parties to keep their commitments and implement the agreements that we struck in Cancun, Durban and Doha.
Ad hoc working group on the Durban Platform for Enhanced Action (ADP)
The United Nations Secretary General High Level Climate Summit is a key moment to build momentum towards achieving political agreement in Lima next year. This will provide the much needed time after Lima for the negotiators to do the necessary technical elaboration of those agreements.
In building the momentum we need to agree here on Warsaw on two critical elements under the ADP:
1) to initiate a process of national consultation that will focus on mitigation, adaptation, capacity building, finance and technology goals. To this end we need to identify a minimum set of criteria that can inform the national consultation process. We need to be able to compare apples with apples during the presentation of the national offers.
2) we also need to task the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to undertake technical work on the development and harmonization of methodologies for an equity reference framework and adaptation global goal as important tools to determine fairness.
National implementation
South Africa is well underway in taking action in responding to climate change. Cabinet has endorsed a National Climate Change Response Policy that sets the vision and framework for an effective climate change response, and the long-term, just transition to a climate-resilient economy and society.
The policy is the product of an extensive national consultation process. Our approach is developmental in that we are prioritising climate change responses that have significant mitigation or adaptation benefits, and have significant economic growth, job creation, public health, risk management and poverty alleviation benefits.
It is transformational in that we are seeking to address climate change at a scale of economy that supports the required innovation and finance flows needed for a transition to a lower carbon, efficient, job creating, equitable and competitive economy.
In 2009, President announced that South Africa will implement mitigation actions that will collectively result in a 34% and a 42% deviation below its ‘Business As Usual’ emissions growth trajectory by 2020 and 2025 respectively. We are taking extensive mitigation action, including investing over R70 billion towards building 3 500mw of renewable energy.
We have already achieved solar water heating in more than 1 million houses. We have an extensive energy efficiency programme, and are investing in lower carbon public transport systems. On adaptation, we have undertaken an analysis of the likely climate change impacts for key economic sectors and options for adaptation responses.
This work is informing our national adaptation strategy. We are also investing at least 2.4 billion a year in adaptation programmes through restoration of wetlands and catchments, in our Working for Water and Working for Wetlands Programmes.
At the press briefing, South Africa was represented by Alf Wills, Chief Negotiator, on behalf of South Africa Minister of Environmental Affairs, Mrs Edna Molewa.
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