SA to ask for billions to fight climate change

SOUTH Africa will push for billions of dollars in funding for developing countries to combat climate change, both up to and beyond 2025, says Environment Minister Barbara Creecy.

Speaking at a virtual stakeholder consultation session on Friday before the COP26 climate talks in Glasgow, Scotland, later this month, she said South Africa would seek new commitments of support from developed countries, in accordance with the Paris Rulebook.

This was expected to be the event’s top priority.

The global leaders of 197 nations are set to meet from October 31 to November 12 at the 2021 UN Climate Change Conference, also known as COP26.

Creecy said the event would not live up to its ambitious expectations if clarity was not provided on the mobilisation of an already-pledged $100 billion to address environmental issues.

South Africa would propose that this figure become an annual baseline for yearly commitments that would be progressively increased to $750bn by 2030.

“Enhanced action on adaptation and new finance is direly required. We need to address loss and damage, as this is a pertinent issue.”

She said that research by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development showed developing countries required between $3-4 trillion in order to mitigate and initiate adaptation programmes required for bolstered climate resiliency.

Tyrone Seale, spokesperson for President Cyril Ramaphosa, said climate change in South Africa was being addressed through the development of detailed plans to enable a transition to a low-carbon economy.

“(Ramaphosa) said the electricity sector contributes 41% of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions and would be the first phase of the transition, as it will be the quickest industry to decarbonise. (He) will be decommissioning and repurposing coal-fired power stations and investing in new low-carbon generation capacity, as well as pursuing green industrialisation – such as manufacturing using green technology and a shift to the production of electric vehicles,” Seale said.

An open letter endorsed by 300 international health organisations and addressed to the 197 government leaders ahead of COP26, warns that the climate crisis is the single greatest threat facing humanity.

The letter reads: “Wherever we deliver care around the world, we are already responding to the health harms caused by climate change. Those people and nations who have benefited most from the activities that caused the climate crisis, especially fossil fuel extraction and use, have a great responsibility to do everything possible to help those who are now most at risk.”

The Public Health Association of South Africa (Phasa), one of the signatories, called on the South African government to commit to further climate-resilient, low-carbon, sustainable health systems, with a transparent process for tracking these commitments.

James Irlam, of Phasa’s climate, energy and health division, said wildfires, floods, storms, heatwaves and droughts were on the rise around the world, compounding other challenges, such as the pandemic. “We are seeing the destabilising impacts of these extreme weather events on food security and nutrition, infectious diseases, mental health and climate migration.

“These are increasing health inequities and putting stress on health systems to adapt and respond to emerging risks. Yet, by integrating health and equity into climate policy, the government can protect people, maximise returns on its investments in a just renewable energy transition, and build public support for its responses to the climate crisis,” Irlam said.