1. Towards a Regulatory Framework for Climate Change Briefing to Portfolio Committee on Environmental Affairs
May 2017

2. Purpose
To give effect to certain elements of the National Climate Change Response policy and;
Basis for achieving South Africa’s international climate change commitments

3. The process thus far
Engagements internally in DEA to agree on approach and form of the regulatory framework
Draft discussion document presenting the expected objectives and outcomes of a legal instrument; discussed with MINTEC Working Groups
First draft setting out content of a climate change response legal framework
Currently engaging MINTEC Working Groups and sector departments to solicit sector specific requirements
A broader MINTECH workshop scheduled for 01 March for further engagement on the regulatory framework, on both content and form.

4. Objectives
To provide for the co-ordinated and integrated management of the impacts of climate change by all spheres of government in accordance with the principles of co-operative governance
Effectively manage inevitable climate change impacts through interventions that build and sustain SA’s social, economic and environmental resilience and emergency response capacity
Make a fair contribution to the global effort to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that avoids dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system within a timeframe that enables economic, social and environmental development to proceed in a sustainable manner

5. Timeframes
By end of March 2017: stakeholder consultation on discussion document outlining content for climate change response legal framework
By end of March 2018: climate change response legal framework gazetted for public comment