South Africa says it is still analyzing details of $8.5 billion climate deal with rich nations

SOUTH Africa’s government is still analysing details of a $8.5 billion financing package offered by rich Western nations last year to help the country shift away from coal, environment minister Barbara Creecy said on Tuesday.

The United States, Britain, France, Germany and the European Union pledged the funding during the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow, Scotland, last November. South Africa is the world’s 12th biggest emitter of climate-warming gases and a major coal producer and user.

Pressed by lawmakers over delays in obtaining the funding during a virtual parliamentary briefing, Creecy said South Africa, which has set up a task team to advise President Cyril Ramaphosa and his cabinet on the offer, was still looking at the terms.

“I think that the issue of speed is important, but the issue of the nuances and the quality of the decision is also important,” Creecy said.

“I am not negative about the