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The Challenge - SA emissions....

South Africa’s experience: The National Climate Change Response Policy Deborah Ramalope 10 October 2011. The Challenge - SA emissions. Climate Change is an economic issue Impact on industry will be to create a low-carbon economy: new technologies, innovation, competitiveness

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The Challenge - SA emissions....

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  1. South Africa’s experience: The National Climate Change Response PolicyDeborah Ramalope10 October 2011

  2. The Challenge - SA emissions.... • Climate Change is an economic issue • Impact on industry will be to create a low-carbon economy: new technologies, innovation, competitiveness • Hence, the impact on South Africa • Carries considerable climate impact risks • Needs an international agreement to protect itself against further impacts • Carbon intensive economy • Will have to quantify, report and verify our mitigation actions

  3. The 2005 “Climate Action Now” Conference • Over 600 representatives from govt, business, the scientific and academic communities, & civil society considered the science relating to cc & key responses to the potential social & economic impacts • The gathering was broadly considered a reflection of govt’s commitment and determination to act on climate change • Gave platform to eminent scientists and policy makers who outlined the present and likely impacts of climate change

  4. Cont... • The conference unanimously agreed that climate change was a reality & was one of the most significant threats to sustainable development • Govt statement of intent – the Midrand Plan of Action • Initiating a detailed scenario building process to map out how SA could meet its UNFCCC Article 2 commitments • Initiating a participatory climate change policy development process • Etc • science informed policy • Maintain & reinforce policy-science dialogue

  5. The Long-Term Mitigation Scenarios (LTMS) • March 2006, Cabinet mandated a national process of building scenarios of possible greenhouse gas emission futures • Informed by best available research and information • Process became known as the LTMS development process • Focus - mitigation

  6. LTMS cont... • Process overseen by the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Climate Change • Key objectives: • SA stakeholders understand and are focused on a range of ambitious but realistic scenarios of future climate action • SA delegation is well-prepared with clear positions • Cabinet can make informed decisions in respect of policy & positions

  7. LTMS cont... • In line with Cabinet mandate, the LTMS Scenario Building Team was established to carry out the technical aspects of the process • Made up of over 80 individual stakeholders • Radical environmental groups, intensive energy users, etc • Oct 2007- initial technical work was signed off by the SBT • Each scenario – reached by consensus • Nuclear, RE, etc compromise • Consensus: • Growth without constrain unacceptable - not sustainable • Required by science – aspirational goal • Policy-relevant, but not policy prescriptive • Informed policy direction

  8. The National Climate Change Response Policy • 2008- Cabinet approved 6 broad policy directions themes to be addressed in a policy • GHG emission reductions & limits • Build on, scale-up current initiatives • Implementing Business Unusual • Preparing for the Future • Vulnerability and adaptation • Alignment, coordination & cooperation

  9. The 2009 Summit • Nearly 900 participants + over 150 “virtual participants” linked through internet • Discussed and debated: • AR4 • Potential social and economic impacts • Potential policy responses to these impacts • Urgency of reducing GHGs • International implications • Process of developing national policy

  10. The 2009 Summit cont... • Following active and vigorous discussions, there was widespread consensus on: • Pursuing what is required by science • Transition to low carbon economy + society • Placing climate change response in the context of SD • Strong science interface • Balancing of adaptation & mitigation • etc

  11. THE GREEN PAPER PROCESS • Policy process launched with Policy Discussion Document and Roundtable on Climate Policy held in May 2010. • Consultation with stakeholder groupings on basis of Discussion Document. • Internal governmental consultation through IGCCC and inputs into draft Green Paper by sector departments • Draft Green Paper formulated. • Draws heavily on inputs received and also on information from 2nd National Communication – update of climate science and status quo in relation to climate issues

  12. Key issues emerging: public comments • Overall Mitigation – exactly how much? • Sector mitigation contributions – how much, by when, by whom? • Mitigation actions – informed, strategic approach rather than “shopping lists” of “poorly informed” “good intentions.” • Mitigation/Adaptation – the split undermines important interventions that have both mitigation and adaptation potential. • Adaptation – informed, risk-based approach. • Monitoring, reporting and, especially, accountability

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