The Presidential Climate Commission welcomes SA's updated Nationally Determined Contribution

The Presidential Climate Commission (PCC) welcomes South Africa’s updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to the UNFCCC, reflecting a substantial increase in ambition in line with the requirements of the Paris Agreement.

With its updated NDC, South Africa intends to limit GHG emissions to 398-510 MtCO2e by 2025, and to 350-420 MtCO2e by 2030, significantly lower than the mitigation targets communicated in 2016, and in line with the recommendations proposed by the PCC. These new targets will also see South Africa’s emissions decline in absolute terms from 2025, a decade earlier than planned.

Following is a statement from Crispian Olver, Executive Director of the Presidential Climate Commission:

“The PCC welcomes the commitment in South Africa’s updated NDC to a just climate transition that protects the most vulnerable, while decarbonising the economy and building climate resilience. The climate transition needs to simultaneously address our country’s fundamental development challenges of poverty, inequality, and unemployment.

“South Africa’s new mitigation targets are in line with the PCC’s recommendations to President Cyril Ramaphosa in July 2021 and give impetus to the Commission’s work— providing evidence-based policy recommendations, rooted in the best available science and supported by a broad consensus across social partners. The low end of the mitigation target is compatible with limiting warming to 1.5 degrees C, according to criteria used by the Climate Action Tracker.

“South Africa’s updated NDC is a strong statement of intent ahead of COP26 in Glasgow in November 2021. The NDC also presents an important step forward in efforts to mobilise international support – including climate finance – for the domestic climate transition.

“The PCC stands ready to support a just and equitable implementation of the updated NDC, in the path towards achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

About the Presidential Climate Commission

The PCC is charged with developing consensus between social partners around the core components of a just transition in South Africa. The PCC is in the process of developing a framework and implementation plan so that the transition to a low-emissions economy is well-managed, just, and equitable.

For more information: Mr. Rorisang Moseli (PCC Media & Stakeholder Liaison) rorisang@climatecommission.org.za or +27662317284