SA takes the first step towards a Green Economy

Johnathan Paoli

President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed the Climate Change Bill into law, claiming he wants to ensure the country’s transition to a low carbon economy without any constraint by policy contradiction.

Spokesperson for the President, Vincent Magwenya, announced on Tuesday that Ramaphosa has assented to the bill, which sets out a national climate change response, including mitigation and adaptation actions, and constitutes the country’s contribution to the global climate change response.

Magwenya said the legislation sets out to enhance the country’s ability and capacity over time to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and build climate resilience, while reducing the risk of job losses, and promoting opportunities for new job opportunities.

He said its aim was to strengthen coordination between national sector departments and provide policy setting and decision-making which would meet the commitments in the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) as outlined in the Paris Agreement.

South Africa is one of