spells out SA's "Climate Roadmap" for 2007 and beyond
14 March 2007
Comments on Stern Review on the Economics of Climate Change
The Stern Review on the Economics of Climate Change takes the climate debate
to the next level, especially by considering sensible policy responses and very
importantly, what is equitable for future generations. The economic case to act
now has been made strongly through this pragmatic approach. The costs of doing
nothing about climate change far outweigh those of taking concrete measures as
individuals, nations and the global community.
South Africa stands ready to take on its share of these challenges as a
developmental investment in future generations. This work on the economics of
climate change reinforces our vision of avoiding an unsafe climate future and
inadequate adaptive responses. When the Kyoto protocol was first crafted, it
was seen as a critical first step in our effort to combat climate change.
Today, we understand that the current Kyoto regime is not nearly enough to
address the problem and the scientific certainty is now much better defined. We
live on a continent that is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate
change, even at the lower end of the predicted range of possible climate
changes. For this reason, we are ever mindful of the costs of inaction.
In considering a more effective climate policy regime beyond 2012 (end of
the Kyoto Protocol's first commitment period) we understand that we all have to
do much more. Though countries have different responsibilities, we all
developed as well as developing have a common responsibility to act in
accordance with our national capabilities.
In South Africa, we are looking at ways of making climate change mitigation
policies and measures part of a pro-development and growth strategy for the
longer term. We understand the key message of the Stern Review: the earlier
effective action is taken, the less costly it will be in the long run.
Rather than viewing action on climate change as a burden, the message is
that action on climate change also holds myriad opportunities for new
investment in climate friendly technologies, creating access to cleaner energy
for development and building new competitive advantages in clean and renewable
technologies.
South Africa's "Roadmap" for Climate Policy
We realise that climate policy alone cannot solve the climate problem.
Making our development path more sustainable is crucial for both mitigation and
adaptation. Increasingly, climate change is being discussed across different
ministries and departments. We have established an Inter-Ministerial Committee
on climate change which meets regularly to consider the latest available
information and to align government's planning accordingly. The
Inter-Ministerial Committee also oversees the Long Term Mitigation Scenario
process, which is making excellent progress in support of the government's
efforts.
This project, involving more than 20 leading specialists and stakeholders in
government, business and civil society, is examining the cost and impacts of
different pathways for reducing or limiting the growth in national greenhouse
gas emissions. Since June 2006, they have worked to develop alternative
scenarios, including macro-economic modelling of the costs and opportunities of
taking action within our unique national circumstances.
The outcomes of the scenario process will shape our long term climate policy
and guide future investment in energy, transport, water and eco-tourism
infrastructure amongst others. Once completed, we will be convening a
high-level roundtable of government, civil society and captains of industry to
consider our national response to the outcomes of the Long Term Mitigation
Scenario planning process and its underlying macro-economic modelling. It will
be important that all stakeholders understand and are focused on the range of
ambitious but realistic pathways of future climate action being generated by
this groundbreaking project.
Leading researchers from South Africa are also playing a major role in
finalising the Fourth Assessment Report of the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on
Climate Change). We will be convening a special report-back seminar with our
IPCC authors to analyse the regional and national implications of the IPCC
reports. These reports will help us to understand better the inevitable adverse
impacts of climate change, our own vulnerabilities and possible adaptation
strategies.
In addition, various national departments are putting in place the building
blocks for our long term climate policy. Various departments have made major
progress in refining their sector plans in line with the National Climate
Change Response Strategy.
* The Department of Science and Technology (DST) will finalise our Climate
Change Technology Needs Assessment as well as our national climate change
Research and Development Strategy in the next few months. DST has also just
established the SA National Energy Research Institute in partnership with the
Department of Minerals and Energy.
* The Department of Minerals and Energy (DME) is making strong headway in
implementing the national Energy Efficiency Accord. They are also establishing
the National Energy Efficiency Agency, based on the Energy Bill and will
finalise our Integrated Energy Plan later this year.
* The DME, through the inter-departmental steering committee, has seen an
increase in a number of Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects being
submitted to the CDM Executive Board for approval.
* DME is collaborating with the Department of Science and Technology to
launch a solar heating project for low and middle income households.
* The South African Earth Observation Strategy (SAEOS) was approved by
Cabinet in 2006 and provides a framework for the co-ordination of activities in
this sphere. It is linked to the Global Earth Observing System of Systems
(GEOSS), which is a comprehensive national and international co-operative
effort.
* The Department of Agriculture has just developed their climate change
response plan.
* Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF) and the Water Research
Commission are involved in a number of research projects looking at the impacts
of climate change on water resources.
* Working closely with industry, DEAT will also be finalising our updated
Greenhouse Gas Inventory early next year.
Various provinces and cities are also up-scaling their efforts to combat
climate change. The Western Cape will be taking its climate change planning to
the next level during a provincial climate change conference in June this year
and various cities have made major strides in integrating climate
considerations with their local development planning frameworks.
Ultimately, the results of the Long Term Mitigation Scenario process, the
sector strategies from different government departments, provincial and local
authorities and our interaction with the best available science, will
collectively inform our first ever Long Term National Climate Policy.
This is Government's Climate Change "Roadmap" for 2007 and beyond. We are
geared for the emerging challenges and will continue to work with all
stakeholders in refining our policies and action plans.
Enquiries:
Blessing Manale
Cell: 083 677 1630
Riaan Aucamp
Cell: 083 778 9923
Issued by: Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
14 March 2007
