Johnathan Paoli
THE National Assembly went ahead and passed the Climate Change Bill, a first for South Africa, amid objections by the EFF and the ACDP.
The Climate Change Bill, was first introduced in Parliament in 2022 and focuses on establishing a strategy for addressing climate change and implementing a fair, long-term energy transition plan, and ultimately fostering a low-carbon, climate-resilient economy in South Africa.
Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries Barbara Creecy highlighted the importance of the justness of the climate transition and said that the economy must create new local industries and new jobs.
“As our country develops our vision of a just transition to a low carbon economy and climate resilient society, we will ensure it’s sustainable, inclusive, comprehensive and leaves no one behind,” Creecy said.
The bill will allow for the reduction of greenhouse gases through the implementation of sectoral targets set towards reaching zero emissions.
In addition, the legislation will allow the national government to allocate more money for climate change programmes, especially at the local level to build the resilience of vulnerable communities.
In line with the requirements of the bill, the Presidential Climate Commission will formally be established as a statutory body to mobilise all sectors to present a societal response to climate change.
The bill would empower the Environment Minister to assign carbon budgets to companies to limit their carbon emissions, with ministers in each sector or sub-sector obligated to meet these targets.
However, the red berets, whilst agreeing with the urgent need for transition in relation to climate change, expressed its doubt at the ability of the current regime to effectively implement transitional measures.
EFF MP Nazier Paulsen said that the ruling party had been neglectful and inadequately maintaining the mechanisms and resources that are already in place and failed to either effectively prepare for and respond to disasters such as the recent KZN floods.
“We do not believe that the current ANC government had the wherewithal to respond adequately in the event of a climate disaster to drive SA’s transition to a low carbon and climate resilient economy that will enhance the country’s ability and capacity over time to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” Paulsen said.
The next phase for the legislation will witness the bill being sent to the National Council of Provinces for concurrence.
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