South Africa relies on coal as its primary fuel source for electricity generation and is one of the world’s top 15 greenhouse gas (GHG) emitters.
The energy sector represents roughly 80% of gross emissions, with energy industries (~60% ) and transport (~12%)
Net emissions in 2022 is 405 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (Mt CO2e), a 3% fall from 2021
South Africa’s newly signed law will impose mandatory curbs on the emissions from large, fossil-fuel heavy industries
South Africa’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) commits to 31% reduction and a fixed target for GHG emissions levels of 398-510 MtCO2e by 2025, and 350-420 MtCO2e by 2030.
The NDC outlines an approach for a ‘just transition,’ — or the sustainable movement to jobs away from fossil-fuel dependent industries
To achieve targets, focusing on agriculture, forestry and other land use, energy, industrial processes and product use, and waste sectors.
South Africa has estimated that it requires $8 billion per year by 2030.
It has set an internal goal of reaching ‘net zero emissions’ by 2050 in its Low-Emission Development Strategy submitted in 2020
India
India does not have a comprehensive legislation on climate change
However, climate change features in multiple Acts and subordinate legislation.
These include the Environmental Protection Act, Forest Conservation Act, Energy Conservation Act, Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act among others
Supreme Court ruled that citizens have a “right against the adverse effects of climate change,” and referred to the fact that India did not have an omnibus legislation on climate change
India earlier communicated that the intensity of its energy emissions had reduced by 33% from 2005-2019, 11 years ahead of target.
It also committed to revising its emissions intensity to 45% by 2030 in the updated set of NDC
COMMENTS