C3 Cleaner Climate Campaign

South Africa's current response to climate change is ineffective and leaves much to be desired. We need a stronger and more effective South African response to climate change, for although promises made within the Copenhagen Accord were somewhat laudable, the South African government needs to put in place structures that will enable them to achieve those promises and more. Given our pivotal role as hosts and chair of COP 17 at the end of this year, as well as our leading role in Africa and the developing world, and our status as one of the highest emitters of carbon, it is crucial that South Africa takes a stronger stand on climate change. We cannot afford to drop the ball on this.

Whats Wrong?

1. The air quality act does not include carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases as pollutants.

2. The revenue made from the carbon tax proposed by the South African government is not earmarked to specifically tackle issues of climate change.

3. The carbon tax is not mandatory. We feel that because of this, it is a weak measure that does little to slow the effects of climate change.

What Can We Do?

Combining the above concerns, we feel that South Africa needs to propose stronger measures to deal with climate change, and should thus:

1. Include greenhouse gasses as pollutants under the air quality act.

2. Funds garnered from the carbon tax should be earmarked for a climate fund that deals both with issues of climate change mitigation and adaptation, enabling South Africas transition towards a lower carbon economy and bolstering the resilience of South African communities vulnerable to the effects of climate change.

3. Work towards making carbon tax mandatory.

If South Africa fails to take climate change seriously now, they could jeopardise global climate change negotiations, and allow the global response to climate change to fall into disarray.