1 Input by South Africa on responses to climate change Seminar of Governmental Experts 16 & 17 May 2005, Bonn

2 SA’s vulnerability to climate change impacts SA & the poor, in particular, extremely vulnerable Climate change impacts threaten to undermine sustainable development –SA’s response strategy centers on sustainable development Most vulnerable sectors in SA –Water, e.g. reduced average rainfall in west half of the country –Health, e.g. more people at risk from malaria –Agriculture, e.g. subsistence farmers more marginal –Biodiversity, e.g. up to 60% loss of endemics in succulent Karoo

3 Key Issues CC happening and will continue SA contributes only 1.4% CO 2 to global total and therefore needs a global multi-lateral solution which –Balances adaptation and mitigation –Supports local and global sustainable development In SA adaptation measures a priority to address the vulnerability of the poor to CC effects The major potential for mitigation in SA relates to energy (c urrently, 93% of electricity generation from coal) –Electricity generation and supply –Transport fuels –Mining, industry & household energy use & efficiency

4 Current Adaptation PAM’s Sectoral programmes focused on poverty –Landcare – transforms unsustainable agricultural practice –Working for Water – alien plant removal to restore water –Working for Wetlands – restoration of water sources –Working on Fire – Fire control Rural economic diversification – ISRDS Adaptation technology research and development Potential for the use of LULUCF & sink strategies for mitigation are limited – LULUCF is a vulnerability & adaptation issue

5 Current Mitigation PAM’s: Energy efficiency Energy efficiency contributes to sustainable development at the local and global scale Strategy: a national target for energy efficiency of 12% by 2015 –Mix of economic instruments and regulatory tools, as well as energy management programmes Build on practical measures already in place –Avoid 2300 MW by 2020 through efficiency measures ( tons of CO2 was saved between ) Efficient lighting initiative Energy efficiency in low-cost housing (CDM project validated) Demand-side management programme

6 Current Mitigation PAM’s: Renewable energy Policy: voluntary target of GWh renewable energy contribution to final energy consumption by 2013 –to be produced mainly from biomass, wind, solar and small- scale hydro, bio-fuels etc. (both power generation & non power generation technologies) Equivalent to approximately 4% of projected electricity demand by 2013 Existing projects: off-grid solar, wind, Solar Water Heating –Needs to be scaled up with additional R&D bulk renewables –Need international support to meet incremental costs of implementation – contribute to new industries, create jobs, and assist in poverty reduction

7 Current Carbon Finance PAM’s: CDM in South Africa Policy developed and published Established Designated National Authority in the Dept of Minerals & Energy ( –9 CDM projects submitted to the DNA –21.9 MtCO2 over the period 2005 to 2012 Actively engaging in carbon markets –Emissions derivative trading Markets need certainty to secure carbon as a long term tradable commodity ie. Second commitment period for Kyoto (article 3.9)

8 Current Research & Development Technology Needs Assessment in progress National Energy Research Institute being established Research on clean coal & in situ gasification Solar thermal bulk renewable Long term sector level emission, adaptation & mitigation research and modelling Bio-fuel RD&D GHG inventory process Participation in the GEOSS programme

9 Future National PAM’s: Finalising a Cleaner Production Strategy Air Quality Act passed in 2004 –provides a regulatory framework to set emission standards for both priority pollutants including greenhouse gases –regulates reporting Investigate Public Transport measures. Eg.Taxi Recap & incentivise bio-fuel programme Clean fuel standards (eg. Euro 3 by 2008 & 4 by 2010) Building standard regulations to improve efficiency Energy Bill – legislation to regulate energy efficiency & renewable energy

10 Future multi-lateral process Climate change is a global problem and requires a unified global response and action SA committed to the multi-lateral process under the UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol Future Climate Change regime must include a strengthened Kyoto Future Climate Change regime must support sustainable development in all countries and: –Emphasises the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities –Requires Annexe 1 (developed) countries to take the lead –Recognizes the unique circumstances and challenges faced by developing countries.

11 The way forward All nations to join and support the international effort to reduce greenhouse gases emissions –Given the vulnerability of the poor, largest emitters need to reduce emissions –Annex I Parties need to take stronger action –Full funding of agreed incremental costs (Art 4.3) –NA1 actions designed to support sustainable development All nations accept responsibility to deal with climate change within an inclusive multilateral regime balancing adaptation & mitigation SA committed to engage in the development of the future CC regime Need Montreal Mandate to map out next few years of negotiations and to prevent stalling & add urgency

12 Thank you