President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed into law the Climate Change Bill which sets out a national climate change response and a long-term, just transition to a low-carbon and climate-resilient economy and society for South Africa in the context of sustainable development.

The Climate Change Act, as endorsed by the President, enables the alignment of policies that influence South Africa’s climate change response, to ensure that South Africa’s transition to a low-carbon and climate-resilient economy and society is not constrained by policy contradictions.

The law also sets out to enhance South Africa’s ability and capacity over time to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and build climate resilience, while reducing the risk of job losses, and promoting opportunities for new jobs in the emerging green economy.

The Act has the aim of strengthening coordination between national sector departments and providing policy setting and decision-making to enable South Africa to meet the commitments in its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement.

The Climate Change Act sets out the functions of the Presidential Climate Commission, which include providing advice on the Republic’s climate change response to ensure the realisation of the vision for effective climate change response and the long-term just transition to a climate-resilient and low-carbon economy and society. The PCC constitutes a wide representation of experts from all sectors of society.

The law also stipulates the roles that sectors, provinces, and municipalities will play in implementing adaptation and mitigation efforts.