SA’s carbon emissions a major concern
CLIMATE change mitigation was a constitutional imperative that required transparent monitoring to ensure communities lived in a healthy environment, protected against degradation and pollution, according to the Centre for Environmental Rights.
“Adopting effective and adequate climate change mitigation measures is not just a matter of policy or a matter to be negotiated with greenhouse gas emitters, but a legal – and constitutional – obligation on the state,” said Nicole Löser, an attorney at the centre, which represents communities in their fight for a safe, healthy and sustainable environment.
Speaking at yesterday’s parliamentary public hearings on climate change, she said the construction of new coal-fired power stations – not only at Medupi and Kusile but also nine independent power producer projects – contradicted the need for effective climate change mitigation.
“It is clear South Africa is operating at cross-purposes, expressing international and domestic commitments to fight climate change while simultaneously adopting policies and making decisions that completely defeat these objectives,” Löser said.
A day earlier, Cosatu had called on South Africa to lobby for an end to fossil fuel subsidies and rejected fracking – or hydraulic fracturing for shale gas – and nuclear power.
Instead, Cosatu emphasised that renewable energy, including solar and wind, was “a winwin opportunity to address our energy needs in a sustainable, cost-effective, safe manner”.
Meanwhile, Business Unity South Africa said no country had managed to reduce carbon emissions while increasing economic growth, adding that South Africa needed to be careful in evaluating the relationship between poverty and climate change while finding solutions.
The public hearings were called by the parliamentary environmental affairs committee to garner views before South Africa attends the UN climate change conference of parties, COP21, in the French capital Paris in December. It follows departmental consultations which, during the public hearings, were criticised for being rushed and superficial.
More than 40 organisations, representing communities, civil society, business, government institutions and individuals, made their voices heard over two days of public hearings, which were among the most diverse and representative Parliament has seen in recent times.
Committee chairman Jackson Mthembu noted that their views, even those telling “the department where to get off”, had been heard.
“What is important is that we started to talk. We have opened ourselves to the possibilities of climate change,” he said, wrapping up what had been at times robust discussions which saw contributions for a pastor and at least one climate change denialist.
The Department of Environmental Affairs said South Africa aimed to ensure environmental and developmental imperatives were balanced, and that global emission reduction efforts were adequate to stave off the impact of climate change.
Developed countries would have to make it possible for developing countries to implement climate change mitigation measures, it said.