Ramaphosa signs Climate Change Bill into law

The Climate Change Act sets out the government’s climate change response plans, as well as the country’s contribution to the global climate change response.

Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya says the law also aims to enhance South Africa’s ability and capacity over time to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build climate resilience while reducing the risk of job losses and promoting new job opportunities in the green economy.

"The Act has the aim of strengthening co-ordination between national sector departments and provide policy setting and decision-making to enable South Africa to meet the commitments in Nationally Determined Contribution under the Paris Agreement.

Magwenya adds that the mitigation measures are a response to climate change impacts that are increasingly experienced across several sectors, including water resources, agriculture and food production, forestry and fisheries, human health, energy generation, industry, human settlements, migration, and disaster management.

"These impacts will disproportionately affect poor communities and vulnerable groups and could affect South Africa’s ability to meet its development and economic growth goals, including job creation and poverty reduction.

 "The Climate Change Act sets out the functions of the Presidential Climate Commission, which includes providing advice on the Republic’s climate change response to ensure the realisation of the vision for effective climate change response and the long-term just transition to a climate-resilient and low-carbon economy and society.

"The law also stipulates the role provinces and municipalities will play in mitigation efforts."

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