Maravi

(HERALD) ‘South Africa won’t compromise growth to cut carbon emissions’

‘South Africa won’t compromise growth to cut carbon emissions’
AFP JOHANNESBURG.

South Africa will not sign any deal that would compromise the country’s economic development chances at the upcoming climate change conference in Copenhagen, the environment minister said on Tuesday.

"All negotiators are there to pursue national interests . . . and South Africa is no different in this regard. If a deal is going to compromise our national interest we are not going to support it 100 percent," Buyelwa Sonjica told journalists.

In the lead up to the crucial climate summit in December which hopes to thrash out a new climate treaty, Sonjica said it was unrealistic for developing countries such as South Africa to commit to carbon emission targets.

There has to be a balance on how the country addresses its carbon footprint, while at the same time developing economically, she said.

"The greatest challenges being faced is how to ensure energy security and access while not negatively impacting on our developmental imperatives, and at the same time laying the foundation for moving towards a path of low carbon growth."

She said the government was committed to doing its fair share to ensure that the summit talks produce a deal that will be favourable to developed and developing countries.

"We remain optimistic about the deal but it's not easy, it’s a complex issue. I am very, very concerned about us reaching a deal at this point in time," she said.

A successful outcome Sonjica said meant that the deal would be inclusive, fair and effective, had a balance between adaptation and mitigation. The deal must also be a balance between development and climate imperatives.

"Success in Copenhagen should strengthen climate resilient development and must urgently assist the world’s poorest and most vulnerable to adapt," Sonjica said.

South Africa relies heavily on coal for its energy requirements, and power giant Eskom is embarking on an ambitious project to build more power stations to fuel the country’s growing but energy-strapped economy.

The continental powerhouse is among Africa’s worst offenders in terms of gas emissions and joins nations such as India and China in pushing for wealthy, industrialised nations to lead the drive in cutting emissions.

Copenhagen is tasked with finding a successor to the 1997 Kyoto Protocol which the United States rejected saying its targets would wreck its economy. — AFP.

Labels: BUYELWA SONJICA, CARBON EMISSIONS, SOUTH AFRICA

posted by MrK @ 5:36 PM