By Simon Nare
President Cyril Ramaphosa has warned that climate crisis in now a full-blown climate emergency and nations have to stand and be counted otherwise they will be hit with devastating floods that will wreak havoc on societies.
Addressing the UN 79th General Assembly, Ramaphosa said the impact of climate change has been swift and devastating, and extreme weather such as flooding, fires and droughts devastating societies, economies and livelihoods.
“Despite being least responsible for climate change, developing economy countries and particularly African countries are on the frontline.
“As South Africa we remain committed to contributing our fair share to reduce global emissions, guided by the principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities,” said the president.
His comment comes on the back of unprecedent snowfall in KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State which resulted in motorists being stuck for days on the N3 freeway and other alternative routes.
Ramaphosa told the forum that adaptation and mitigation programmes and policies were in place, and the country had passed the Climate Change Bill “to further support our emissions reduction targets”.
“It is essential that climate actions do not deepen global inequality or stifle the developmental aspirations of the Global South,” he said.
The president said that industrialised nations were not honouring their climate commitments, and repeated calls for predictable and sustainable financing for climate action.
“We must operationalise the agreed-upon climate financing and capacity building instruments to advance mitigation and adaptation. Pursing sustainable development necessitates that those with the means should support those who lack them.
“The world faces annual financing gap of $4 trillion to achieve sustainable development,” he said.
Ramaphosa endorsed the UN Secretary-General’s call for reform of the global financial architecture to enable developing countries to lift themselves out of the quicksand of debt.
“We must commit to systems for financing development that are more accessible, agile and equitable,” he said.
“In 2025, South Africa will assume the presidency of the G20. We will use this important role to advocate for the peoples of Africa and for all the global South.”
The president said that South Africa welcomed this week’s adoption of the Pact for the Future.
“It is a platform for us to focus on those actions we need to take together to build a world in which the equal worth of every person and the equal worth of every country is recognised and valued,” he said.
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