Briefing to Portfolio Committee on Environmental Affairs on national climate change policy process and international climate change negotiations 16 th September 2009

INTRODUCTION Climate Change international negotiations Climate Change Policy Development Process –International Position –Adaptation – to the impacts of climate change – Mitigation - national efforts to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions –Policy Process and critical path

INTERNATIONAL UNFCCC & its’ Kyoto Protocol – stalemate since 2001 (USA not joining Kyoto) Since 2005 formal negotiations divided into 2 Tracks (reconfirmed in 2007) – –The Kyoto Track (for Developed country mitigation targets beyond 2012) –The Convention Track (Adaptation; Mitigation - targets for USA; Developing country action; Finance & Technology) Parallel political processes

COP 14 Poznan Move into negotiating mode COP 14 – Poznan: important step to COP 15 Progress on negotiation of Annex I emission reduction targets for 2 nd commitment period Readiness to move into serious mode of negotiation in 2009

2009 – Parallel Political Processes Major Economies Forum (Jan – Jul 09): “Greenland Ministerial” (Jul 09) – G8 (Jul 09) – Limited progress - agreed on –2 deg C as maximum level of warming; –on long-term global goal of 50% emission reduction by 2050, with no baseline, no midterm emission reduction target, and no finance commitments. –Rejected by G5.

2009 Formal Negotiations 3 formal negotiations completed (Apr, Jun, Aug) 2 sessions before Copenhagen: Oct & Nov Current status of negotiations: –Convention Track: 4 building blocks: adaptation, mitigation, technology & finance 1 st and 2 nd readings 200 pg text August: attempt to reduce text BUT discussions rapidly reached CORE issues –Kyoto Protocol Track: discussion of aggregate and individual reduction targets beyond Pledges is only 13% (not in line with science 25 – 40%); Developing countries propose at least 40%

Positions of key negotiating blocks European Union: pledge 20% by 2020, & 30% if new agreement; quantified Dev C mitig action; silent on finance; soft on the USA Umbrella Group (Australia, Canada, Japan etc) : low mitigation pledges, conditional on Dev C’s commitments; weak adaptation; no finance; differentiation among Dev C’s USA: differentiation among Dev C’s, trying to create divisions in G77 G77+ China (Developing Countries) ; United on principles, divided on detail

Current SA Cabinet Position – Two track approach Kyoto Track – amendment - predetermined by Article 3.9 of KP; Convention track - a supplemental legally binding instrument interpreted with UNFCCC & KP Legal linkage between Kyoto & convention legal instruments to address the USA (as non-Kyoto Party) & who must take legally binding target comparable to Kyoto Parties

Current SA Cabinet Position – Overarching Objectives Deal must: –be inclusive, fair and effective; –balance between adaptation and mitigation –balance development and climate imperatives. Shared vision that solving the climate problem only possible if in the context of: –Dev C’s priorities of food security, poverty eradication and promoting development. –Equity & differentiated responsibility for the past but common responsibility for the future

Current SA Cabinet Position On Adaptation: –A comprehensive international prog on adaptation, –Prioritise Africa - immediate & future impacts –Upscaled finance, technology and capacity building. On Mitigation: –legally binding emission reduction commitments for developed countries under the Kyoto Protocol –USA-comparable, binding reduction commitment & compliance under the Convention. –framework for mitigation action by developing countries, supported and enabled by finance, technology and capacity building ie No legally binding targets

Current SA Cabinet Position On Finance, Technology, Capacity blding –Essential to build resilient economies and to “leapfrog” to low carbon growth and dev –Integrated Means of Implement mechanism –Massively scaled up, predictable & sustainable flows (1% of Global GDP – ie approx $400 bn by 2020 of which 25% for adaptation) –Mobilised from multiple sources – including: assessed contribution, carbon market, bilateral, IFI’s & private sector –Governance – needs and country driven, direct access, equitable distribution

Vulnerability of SA position Coal based economy (transition lag time) High emissions per capita & in total (top 20 emitter & contribute just < 50% of all Africa) Associated with so-called “major or advanced developing economies” Relatively wealthy with institutional capacity Extremely vulnerable to impacts of climate change Targeted by the USA for differentiation – (ie. take commitments, no access to fin or tech)

National Climate Change Policy Process Agreement that climate change is a key challenge facing us now and into the future. Adaptation to the impacts of climate change critical issue Also need to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions into the future Policy addresses all of the above

Consultative Process Working Group 3; IGCCand NCCC International, Economic and Infrastructure Clusters Climate Change Conferences Draft policy documents to be consulted widely

Critical Path Draft Zero Policy position that builds on existing and current work (LTMS, 2 nd National Communication, Vulnerability Atlas, Adaptation sector framework, sector and constituency consultations etc by end September Green Paper April 2010 White Paper end 2010

Adaptation Work in progress to develop adaptation responses sector by sector and in geographical areas (provinces and local government) Key sectors include: water, health, biodiversity, marine and oceans, agriculture, disaster management, social development

CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION SECTORS OUR INDUSTRIES Agriculture Forestry Tourism Coastal Management Business/ Insurance OUR RESOURCES Land Terrestrial, Aquatic, Marine Biodiversity Water OUR PEOPLE Public Health Human Settlements Livelihoods SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY: Research, Innovation RESILLIENCE + ACCLIMATION COUNTRY ADAPTATION ECONOMIC INSTRUMENTS: Punitive and Incentives INSTITUTIONAL & CAPACITY BUILDING: Public awareness, Operational Systems

Adaptation cont…. Central importance of information in adapting to impacts of climate change effectively Key role of SA Weather Services and Disaster Management Key role of Science and Technology National adaptation responses must be downscaled to provincial and local levels for maximum effectiveness

National Adaptation priority actions Effective climate change adaptation inputs, based on priority sectors and unique geographical circumstances to national policy development process Comprehensive determination of the national vulnerability to climate change and SA’s adaptive capacity (adaptation scenarios –cost of action v/s inaction) Ensuring the development of a climate change adaptation implementation programme in key sectors and Ensuring the coordination and alignment of policies, strategies initiatives, legislation and regulations of key adaptation sectors

Adaptation Cont… DWEA working in partnership with all affected parties, including civil society and science establishment Need for integration of climate change issues into provincial and municipal planning Need for information to ensure that current plans take long term trends into account

Mitigation SA Energy Intense economy Highly dependent on fossil fuels Need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and at same time ensure that economic growth and development are not compromised LTMS – peak, plateau and decline trajectory

Mitigation cont… Need to start now to put in place interventions to reduce greenhouse gases Energy efficiency, renewable energy, clean and new technology interventions, nuclear energy, and economic and fiscal instruments all needed Much opportunity and potential at provincial and local government levels as well as at national level

THE MITIGATION CHALLENGE – THE SOUTH AFRICAN GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSION PROFILE

THE MITIGATION CHALLENGE – THE IMPLICATIONS OF GROWTH WITHOUT CONSTRAINTS

CHALLENGES AND OUTSTANDING ISSUES – 2009 SUMMIT CONSENSUS Pursue “Required by Science” - <2 o C Transition to a low carbon economy in the context of equity, sustainable development, and poverty eradication Maintain and strengthen the Science-Policy interface Balance adaptation and mitigation – integrate adaptation into development planning Local level climate resilience and access to energy for the poor Scale up renewables and energy efficiency

CHALLENGES AND OUTSTANDING ISSUES – 2009 SUMMIT CONSENSUS Energy efficiency standards Government coordination and policy alignment Price on carbon – mix of instruments requires further work Fast track CDM tax incentives Massively upscale public awareness Gender mainstreaming Mobilise resources including for R+D

THANK YOU