Fourteenth International Conference on Climate Change: Impacts & Responses

Abstract

South Africa is the highest emitters of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in Africa due to its energy-intensive economy. The reliance on primary fossil fuels that produce carbon dioxide emissions explains why more than 53 percent of its total emissions is from electricity generation and energy use. As a concerned country, it has committed to reduce GHGs emissions to 42 percent by 2025 relative to a business-as-usual baseline. It’s important to appraise the status of these commitments at a provincial level. Despite the integrated policies, immediate needs of addressing air emissions and climate change mitigation are not the same for all provinces. Examining levels of socioeconomic development of provinces, to identify sustainable near-term mitigation policy responses to climate change and air emissions gives an insight as to how provinces are addressing air emissions. Provincial indicators of socio-economic development are relied on to infer emissions of GHG and air pollutants from multiple sources. In doing so, provinces which prioritize air emissions to attain sustainable development and curtail climate change indirectly or directly as strategies are identified. A number of provinces are on path to mitigating carbon emissions as indicated in the provincial air quality management plans, though they have not been fully operational in some instances. The social-economic stand of a province, availability of technical support and involvement of private actors are some of the drivers in mitigating air emissions. Provinces with low GHGs and high pollution levels should pursue short term policies to reduce air emissions and increase human welfare sustainably.