The country will need extensive support from the developed world in order to meet its emission reduction targets and implement the technologies needed to avert the worst effects of climate change.
This is according to water and environmental affairs minister Edna Molewa, speaking at the close of the climate change conference in Cancun, Mexico.
The 12-day conference ended this weekend, and is widely seen as achieving important foundations on which future negotiations can build. While it failed to outline a binding agreement on reduction targets, it did acknowledge that temperatures should be kept from rising more than two degrees above preindustrial levels, and called for “deep cuts” in emissions. The talks also provide for the establishment of a Green Climate Fund to help channel aid to developing countries.
Molewa said in her closing speech on Friday that SA is looking at various technologies to aid adaptation and mitigation strategies.
“Between now and 2012, we are piloting several alternative technologies such as concentrated solar power in the Northern Cape, looking at achieving a capacity of 1 100MW, scaling up to 5 000MW by 2020. There are several other potential areas in wind energy with potential of scaling up to 10 000MW,” she said in a statement.
“In transportation we are looking at innovative transport systems in rail, and up-scaling the South African electric vehicle, the Joule.”
Molewa added, however, that these all require technological and financial support in the order of billions of dollars.
“While we require the developed world to meet its obligation under the Convention and Bali Roadmap to support the mitigation and adaptation efforts of developing countries, we are not just sitting back and waiting,” she added.
“Our national development finance institutions have taken up the challenge and are committed to mobilising finance at a national level. However, we need the developed world to support these efforts by meeting their financial obligations.”
She explained that a crucial part of a legally binding agreement under the UN's Framework Convention on Climate Change would be providing an international legal framework for climate change adaptation, along with the necessary financial and technology support for developing nations' efforts.
Molewa pointed to SA's pledge at Copenhagen to reduce emissions by 34% below business-as-usual levels by 2020, and 42% by 2025.
She noted this was immensely challenging given the country's historical dependence on a coal-based energy supply. ”We are actively working towards cleaner and renewable energy sources, energy efficiency, and building adaptation into our sustainable development and poverty eradication priorities,” she said.
Efforts in this regard include the development of a Green Economy Strategy and National Climate Change Response Policy, which are out for public comment. A carbon tax that would put a price on carbon and affect consumer and producer behaviour is also under discussion, said Molewa.
Encouraging action
Hugh Tyrrell, director of local consultancy GreenEdge, says renewable technologies will play a crucial role in the country's climate change strategy. He adds that the Green Climate Fund coming out of Cancun is aimed at supporting developing countries to maintain economic development while following a low-carbon route.
“The targets SA set over the long-term are based on the premise that developed countries will support SA through technology transfer and finance to continue economic development sustainably,” he says. “The Green Climate Fund is thus encouraging for the country's green economy strategy.”
Tyrrell says SA's greatest priority is to maintain energy supply, and if it can be done through renewables, so much the better. “While electricity generation and distribution in the country has been fraught, we've encountered most of the stumbling blocks and we're busy moving through that.”
He adds that, while the policy and regulatory framework still needs to be worked out, the move towards cleaner sources of energy is not being resisted as much as in the past. “There's been a milestone in government's approach to renewables.”
Tyrrell notes that the acknowledgement at Copenhagen by developed countries that they have a moral obligation to support developing economies spurred SA into action. “The government saw they better get their house in order if big chunks of funding were going to be made available in future.”
He points to the three-day Green Economy Summit, held shortly after Copenhagen, as well as moves by provincial government in Gauteng and the Western Cape, as signs of this national drive.
“It's now about action.”
Tyrrell adds that while solar and wind technologies are garnering attention, a 40% reduction in carbon emissions can be achieved though technologies and behaviours geared at efficiency.
“Things like clean production techniques, smart grid and energy-efficiency technologies, which can reduce CO2 usage and help government meet its targets, really need to be pushed.
“People need easy, accessible, efficient technology.”
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