Minister in Paris for COP 21 climate talks

“In Paris, the international community is expected to come up with a universal, legally binding agreement that will enable us to combat climate change effectively, and boost the transition towards resilient, low-carbon societies and economies,” her department said.

The Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change had a number of simple messages that stated greenhouse gas emissions (GhG) rose more rapidly from 2000 to 2010 than in the previous three decades, growing by roughly 1.0 Gigatonne per year.

In addition, the UN Environmental Programme (UNEP) Emissions Gap Report shows that global emissions in 2030 would most likely be 14 Gigatonnes above the level that would be consistent with a “two-degree world”.

“The UNEP Adaptation Gap Report concludes that by 2050, Africa’s adaptation costs could rise to US50 billion per year, if global warming were to remain below two degrees C, and up to US100 billion per year for a temperature increase of four degrees Celsius.”

As part of the Africa Group, South Africa would negotiate for a Paris agreement under the convention that was ambitious, durable, fair, and effective. The agreement should balance environmental and development imperatives, and ensure that global emission reduction efforts were adequate to keep global temperatures well below two degrees Celsius.

“The deal must have adaptation at its core, and there must be an ambitious outcome on finance, technology, and capacity building to support the adaptation and mitigation efforts of developing countries,” the department said.

“A key position of the Africa Group is that adaptation is a global responsibility. It is important to note that climate change impacts are being driven by global inaction on mitigation, the adaptation burden on developing countries is growing heavier. A Global Goal for Adaptation must therefore be part of the Paris agreement.”

South Africa had been instrumental in the negotiations leading to the establishment of the Warsaw International Mechanism for Loss and Damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change, particularly in developing countries.

“South Africa will continue to do that because we understand and acknowledge that there are limits to adaptation, hence our support for loss and damage to be addressed in the Paris agreement. Addressing this issue must be done in a manner that gives assurance that the Warsaw International Mechanism will continue and be strengthened beyond 2017.”

South Africa would continue to negotiate in good faith and do everything in its power to reach a deal that resulted in a strengthened and durable international climate change regime. A deal that ensured the full, effective, and sustained implementation of the convention, through an agreement applicable to all.

“Paris presents a golden opportunity to build an ambitious and fair agreement that is effective, durable, and strengthens the global approach,” the department said.