Climate Progress in the First Half of 2003 Rating: C Rating South Africa has no recent emissions reduction statistics over the past six months of 2023. According to previous emission data statistics from all sectors, the energy sector is the primary greenhouse gas contributor, contributing about 95.2% in 2020. Sectoral contribution to CO2 emissions...
Category: South Africa News Brief and Action Alert
South African Government Uses Widespread Consultative Process to Develop a National Climate Change Policy
The national climate change policy of South Africa was developed as a result of a collaboration between researchers and policymakers. The beginning of the climate change response policy development process started at the 2005 National Climate Change and Science Conference. About 600 government, business, science, academic and civil society representatives gathered at the conference and...
South Africa will fail to reduce its emissions by 50% over pre-industrial levels by 2030
According to the Climate Action Tracker (CAT) rates, South Africa’s climate targets fail to reach the 2030 50% goal. This is because South Africa’s climate change policies and commitments must improve in order to meet the Paris Agreement of 1.5C° temperature limit. South Africa’s electricity is mainly produced from coal. As a result, the country...
South Africa Spent ZAR 112.65 billion in 2020-21 on subsidies and bailouts to fossil fuels
The inventory in South Africa shows a total of ZAR 172 billion (USD 10.4 billion) of energy subsidies in 2020/21 see table below. The subsidies include fossil fuels, electricity, hydroelectricity, and nuclear, as well as carbon tax exemptions and bailouts for several carbon-intensive industries. About 77% of the subsidies are delivered as transfers of funds...
South Africa Contributed .54% of Global Agricultural Emissions in 2021
Agriculture contributed approximately 2.47% to the GDP of South Africa in 2021. The agricultural sector has great potential with the climatic conditions of the country ranging from subtropical to Mediterranean. South Africa’s agricultural sector is highly diverse, with the country producing almost all major grains, oilseeds, fruits, sugar, wine, and vegetables. South Africa has more...
South Africa Electricity Supply Commission (ESKOM)
In 1882, Kimberly was the first city in South Africa to be illuminated by electric streetlights. In 1891, the first central power station and distribution system was set up in Cape Town. In 1923, the Electricity Supply Commission (ESCOM) was established and was responsible for providing electricity to consumers. In 1987, ESCOM was renamed Eskom,...
Fuel Consumption Data in South Africa
Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DME) Quarterly Fuel Consumption Data South Africa is aiming to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to 398 – 510 MtCO2e by 2025, and to 350 – 420 MtCO2e by 2030, under its latest Paris Agreement Pledge.Various proxy indicators can be used to monitor trends in greenhouse gas emissions. Some...
Challenges to the Adoption of Electric Cars in South Africa Include Import Duties and Limited Local Production
The transport sector in South Africa is the second largest emitter of GHG in the country, responsible for 10.8% of GHG emissions, with road transport accounting for more than 90% of these emissions. From 2000 up to now, there has been a steady increase in GHG emissions from passenger cars. In 2000, GHG emissions from...
South Africa is Ranked 96 out of 182 Countries in Terms of Climate Change Vulnerability and Its Preparedness to Enhance Resilience
According to Notre Dame Global Adaptation InitiativeDroughts, floods, storms, landslides, and wildfires are becoming more prevalent across the globe due to climate change. In South Africa, more than 100 natural disasters were reported from 1900 to 2017, affecting 21 million people, causing 2200 fatalities, and with an estimated loss of 4.5 billion USD. More recently,...
South Africa’s Public Utility Commits to Producing Renewable Energy
South Africa depends heavily on coal for its electricity generation and is among the highest GHG emitters in the world. Over the last decade, South Africa has faced major electricity challenges, such as load shedding, which has become part of everyday life in the country. It is estimated that Stage 6 load shedding removed up...