Skip to content
LSE logoGRI logo

South Africa

Federative (9 provinces)
Political Groups
G77, G20
Global Climate Risk Index
77.33
Targets
World Bank Income Group
Upper middle income
Share of Global Emissions
1.05%

Documents

Featured searches
·2023·UNFCCC

Submission by South Africa to the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice and Subsidiary Body for Implementation on the possible approach to the consideration of the outputs component of the first Global Stocktake, Submission to the Global Stocktake from South Africa in 2023

·2022·Policy

In March 2022 South Africa's Treasury issued the first edition of its Sustainable Finance Taxonomy. The taxonomy defines a minimum set of assets, projects, activities and sectors that are eligible to be defined as "green" in line with international best practice and national priorities. It is intended to be used by legislators, executive actors and regulators, as well as b...

·2021·UNFCCC

South Africa. Biennial update report (BUR). BUR 4., Biennial Update Report from South Africa in 2021

  • South Africa’s annual GHG emissions will be in a range from 350-420 Mt CO2-eq. 2030 (including LULUCF except emissions from natural disturbances) South Africa’s annual GHG emissions will be in a range from 398-510 Mt CO2-eq. 2025 (including LULUCF except emissions from natural disturbances) From 2016 iNDC: South Africa's emissions by 2025 and 2030 will be in a range between 398 and 614 MtCO2eqEconomy-wide: Economy Wide · Target year: 2030
  • The vision of the GTS is to substantially reduce GHG emissions and other environmental impacts from the transport sector by 5% by 2050.Transport: Transport: General · Target year: 2050Source: Green Transport Strategy (2018-2050)
  • NDC commits S.A. to peak emissions at a specific range between 2025 and 2050.Economy-wide · Target year: 2030Source: Green Transport Strategy (2018-2050)
  • 2009 pledge to reduce emissions 34% by 2020 and 42% by 2025.Economy-wide · Target year: 2025Source: Green Transport Strategy (2018-2050)
  • Emissions are assumed to peak between 2020 and 2025Economy-wide · Target year: 2025Source: Integrated Resource Plan

Legislative Process

The legislative authority is centred on Parliament, which is made up of two Houses, the National Assembly, which has 400 members, and the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), with 90 members. In order for a bill to become law, both Houses must approve it. A bill can be introduced by a Minister, a Deputy Minister, a parliamentary committee or an individual MP. However, most bills are drawn up by a government department under the direction of the relevant Minister or Deputy Minister. The majority of bills are introduced in the National Assembly, but certain bills that affect provinces may be introduced in the NCOP. The law-making process usually starts with the introduction of a Green Paper – a discussion document drafted by the relevant department that is then subject to public consultation. The Green Paper may be followed by a White Paper, a more developed discussion document that broadly outlines government policy and may also be subject to review by interested parties. Once introduced, a bill is referred to the relevant committee, where it is debated in detail and, if necessary, amended. Then the House takes a decision on whether to pass the bill. The last general elections were held in May 2014 with the next due in 2019.