1. GPAfr comments on Climate Change White Paper
Ferrial Adam
Energy and Climate Change Campaigner

2. Outline

3. The White Paper
GPAfr welcomes the finalisation of the National Climate Change Response White Paper
Concern that at the final stages there seems to be an element of haste.
This White Paper is so substantially different from the original Green Paper thus more time should be given to civil society for comments and consultation.
8 days is simply not enough time for a consultative process on a document that is almost entirely reworked.

4. The (Good) WP It does not explicitly refer to nuclear energy anymore -
Inclusion of mitigation targets
if the White Paper has already been approved by Cabinet, how will any comments be incorporated into the final document?

5. The bad The baseline used for ‘Business as Usual’ is still not clear.
A number of issues are mentioned for the first time in the White Paper (after not appearing in the Green Paper).
Thus difficult to substantively comment within the limited time period.
Such issues are important ones such as the concept of a carbon budget, an Emissions Trajectory Range, and near term priority flagship programmes.

6. Some comments
Long Term Goal - WP still makes reference to “below 2°C”.
Why is it that the South African government is not making reference to a long-term goal of limiting the average global temperature increase to 1.5ºC - the Africa Group position
(2) The National Climate Change Response Objective
The “fair contribution” language in bullet two should be changed to “taking a leadership role in the global effort to achieve the stabilization of greenhouse gas…”
(5) Adaptation
It is pleasing to see that the outrageous idea to reserve clean water to dilute pollution has been removed

7. Some Comments II (6) Mitigation
More research required on carbon budget to establish the carbon budgets under a 1.5ºC emissions pathway = Near-Term Priority for the DEA in the White Paper.
How was the national GHG Emissions Trajectory Range defined?
Are the targets in the White Paper consistent with scientific realities or the political realities of a ‘fair share’?
Are the mitigation targets in line with either national or international research on what is required to avoid catastrophic climate change and to keep within 1.5ºC.

8. Peak, plateau and decline
The GHG emissions trajectory range details the “peak, plateau and decline trajectory”
A plateau in emissions for years is absolutely not in line with what is required by science.
Reaching the ‘tipping point’ is a far more immediate threat than originally thought, and the window of opportunity for avoiding runaway climate change is rapidly closing for good.
The White Paper should refer to peak and decline.

9. Conditionality: finance and technology
The White paper states that South Africa’s emissions reductions are dependent on international finance and technology.
This conditionality must be removed.
It is time for South Africa to show its leadership and to commit to actions without waiting for the world to agree on finance and technology.

10. Really bad ideas
Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is a false solution to climate change – the technology is not viable at present and renewable energy solutions are a much better option.
CCS is still theoretical, and is untried and untested, and government should not endorse this programme.

11. Quick fixes (10.3) Partnering with stakeholders
“civil society needs to critically evaluate, comment on and respond to” - they are also important as a source of experience, research and information
(10.4) Coordination mechanisms
Used as a session for government to provide reports, with little meaningful engagement on substantive issues. The NCCC must be restructured and strengthened in order to play a more effective role.
(10.7) Market-based instruments
Carbon tax - how, what?
Greenpeace strongly urges the government to ring-fence the money coming from carbon taxes to go towards renewable energy development

12. Conclusion SA has a responsibility to act with urgency.
A final WP is needed ASAP – but must not be fast-tracked & motivated by the COP17.
WP = going to define how we function for the foreseeable future to combat climate change and cannot just be a mere media exercise.
To have come so far, and then fail at the final hurdle would be tragic.
Greenpeace Africa urges the government to ensure that once the process is completed the mechanisms to implement the policy will be put into place as soon as possible.

13. Thank you!!