The Cabinet in south Africa has adopted a more ambitious emissions reduction target ahead of a climate change conference in November.
South Africa’s environment Department yesterday announced that it would now aim to keep carbon emissions to a range of 350 to 420 million tones, slightly lower than the 398 to 440 million tones
the country’s government pledge earlier in march, according to Reuters.
In a statement, the Environment said: “The NDC represents South Africa’s contribution to global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change.” The South African government has been commissioning clean energy sources such as solar and wind farms to transition to clean energy. State-run energy company EsKom has asked for more funds to facilitate this transition.
The remarks come at a time when British Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged UN member countries to “grow up” and do more to reduce carbon emissions before climate change renders the earth inhabitable for humans and other species. He was quoted by BBC as having said :”if we keep on the current track then the temperatures will go up by 2.7 degrees or more by the end of the century.
“And never mind what that will do tot he ice floe…..We will see desertification, drought ,crop failure, and mass movements of humanity on a scale not seen before. Not because of some unforeseen natural event or disaster but because of us, because of what we are doing now.”
Source: The Nation_Erich Mtemang’ombe_Staff Writter_Friday,24 September 2021