SA: Climate change mitigation study in ‘final stretch'
Thématique :
RSA
By Christy van der Merwe, Engineering News, 18/01/2008
South Africa's long-term mitigation scenario (LTMS) study, regarding climate change, which would inform future policy decisions, is now in its "final stretch", Environment and Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk told delegates at a climate change round table discussion in Cape Town, on Friday.
Once the LTMS study is finalised, which was said to be imminent, it will be submitted to Cabinet, where it, together with work on sectoral strategies, the greenhouse-gas inventory, national communications to the United Nations, and South Africa's adaptation planning, will be used as a reference to inform the deliberations towards a legislative package, which would give effect to South Africa's policy at a mandatory level.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg, Kenyan Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Wangari Mathai, as well as various climate change scientists attended the function, and Van Schalkwyk affirmed that South Africa "stood ready to take ambitious mitigation action".
The minister said that after a period of despondency, there was a new spirit of optimism and cooperation after the Bali meeting, which took place in December.
It was decided in Bali, that by 2009, the details of a more effective and inclusive climate regime should be agreed upon, and set an agenda leading up to 2009, which would revolve around discussions on adaptation, mitigation, technology, and financing.
More stringent emission reduction targets are envisioned for developed countries, and developing countries have agreed to start negotiations on mitigation action that is measurable, reportable and verifiable.
"Adapting to climate change is a prerequisite for economic growth and development in Africa. That is why this field will have high priority in Norway's international development activities in the years to come. We are now geared to focus on the prevention of and the adapting to climate change in African countries where the need is most urgent, and where we - together with our African partners and international organisations - can really make a difference," Stoltenberg commented.
Another important outcome from the Bali roadmap, was that the US committed to join negotiations. "Developing nations demonstrated leadership in Bali, it is now over to the US to demonstrate leadership and take their fair share of responsibility," reiterated van Schalkwyk.
He would be meeting with the US in ten days at the second US-hosted Major Economies meeting on energy security and climate change, where he would once again echo the same sentiments.
The Major Economies meeting will take place two days after President George W Bush's State of the Union address on January 28, and Van Schalkwyk felt that this would be a good time for Bush to signal a turning point for real action and commitment on climate change from the US.
Following the meeting in Cape Town, Stoltenberg will travel to Norway's research station, Troll, on the Antarctic Continent.
"The Antarctic is the world's leading climate laboratory. Here we are able to see the history of climate change and changes in global emissions. Research carried out in the Antarctic may offer invaluable information on the further development of the climate situation. The expedition will provide completely new knowledge on climate change and I look forward to receiving their first reports when they arrive," Stoltenberg said.
Once the LTMS study is finalised, which was said to be imminent, it will be submitted to Cabinet, where it, together with work on sectoral strategies, the greenhouse-gas inventory, national communications to the United Nations, and South Africa's adaptation planning, will be used as a reference to inform the deliberations towards a legislative package, which would give effect to South Africa's policy at a mandatory level.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg, Kenyan Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Wangari Mathai, as well as various climate change scientists attended the function, and Van Schalkwyk affirmed that South Africa "stood ready to take ambitious mitigation action".
The minister said that after a period of despondency, there was a new spirit of optimism and cooperation after the Bali meeting, which took place in December.
It was decided in Bali, that by 2009, the details of a more effective and inclusive climate regime should be agreed upon, and set an agenda leading up to 2009, which would revolve around discussions on adaptation, mitigation, technology, and financing.
More stringent emission reduction targets are envisioned for developed countries, and developing countries have agreed to start negotiations on mitigation action that is measurable, reportable and verifiable.
"Adapting to climate change is a prerequisite for economic growth and development in Africa. That is why this field will have high priority in Norway's international development activities in the years to come. We are now geared to focus on the prevention of and the adapting to climate change in African countries where the need is most urgent, and where we - together with our African partners and international organisations - can really make a difference," Stoltenberg commented.
Another important outcome from the Bali roadmap, was that the US committed to join negotiations. "Developing nations demonstrated leadership in Bali, it is now over to the US to demonstrate leadership and take their fair share of responsibility," reiterated van Schalkwyk.
He would be meeting with the US in ten days at the second US-hosted Major Economies meeting on energy security and climate change, where he would once again echo the same sentiments.
The Major Economies meeting will take place two days after President George W Bush's State of the Union address on January 28, and Van Schalkwyk felt that this would be a good time for Bush to signal a turning point for real action and commitment on climate change from the US.
Following the meeting in Cape Town, Stoltenberg will travel to Norway's research station, Troll, on the Antarctic Continent.
"The Antarctic is the world's leading climate laboratory. Here we are able to see the history of climate change and changes in global emissions. Research carried out in the Antarctic may offer invaluable information on the further development of the climate situation. The expedition will provide completely new knowledge on climate change and I look forward to receiving their first reports when they arrive," Stoltenberg said.
