To support the implementation of South Africa’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) under the Paris Agreement, the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment published the Sectoral Emissions Target (SET) Report for public comment on 26 April 2024.
This development comes at a timely juncture, as the Climate Change Bill (bill) has just received parliamentary approval and is now awaiting the president’s signature to become law.
Notably, the bill includes a provision that mandates emission reduction targets, in line with our global obligations, to be implemented across various sectors, which will be binding when the bill becomes law. This reiterates the call to action for these sectors to reinvent themselves and meet the growing demand to reduce emissions and align with the SETs.
Achieving long-term climate action
The SET emerged as an outcome of the latter stages of COP28 which was the first-ever Global Stocktake (GST).
Countries were assessed on the progress made in meeting the objectives of the Paris Agreement (which aims to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels) and are being held accountable for lowering emissions through their NDCs. On the other hand, the shift towards net zero emissions unlocks a combination of financial incentives, as well as large-scale investments.
SETs are greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets, applicable to sectors or sub-sectors over a period. The SETs are designed to steer sectors to make transformative changes to ensure that we achieve long-term climate action.
The report identifies sectors that are significant contributors to emissions, which will be subject to the SET, these include: mining; agriculture, energy; industry, human settlements (residentials), transport; and environmental sectors.
Monitoring the implementation
The implementation of the SET will be monitored annually. The SETs will then be revised and updated in accordance with any changes to the NDC, which is expected every 5 years while considering the current and projected GHG emissions.
Climate change issues must be considered in investment decisions and businesses should not wait until specific governmental regulations are implemented to make changes. Companies that transform their business to factor in the risks of climate change and to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the global shift towards a sustainable future will gain long-term competitive advantage.
The report aligns closely with ESG principles, emphasising the interconnectedness of environmental sustainability with broader societal and governance considerations. It underscores the importance of integrating ESG factors into decision-making processes to drive positive environmental outcomes.
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Related FAQs: Sectoral emission targets
Q: What are sectoral emission targets for 2030?
A: Sectoral emission targets for 2030 refer to specific reduction goals set for various sectors, such as construction, energy, forestry and others, to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change.
Q: Why is implementing sectoral emission targets important for 2030?
A: Implementing sectoral emission targets for 2030 is crucial as it provides a structured approach to mitigate climate change impacts, increase energy efficiency and work towards achieving the net-zero goal by 2050.
Q: How does the Department of Forestry allocate emission targets across sectors?
A: The Department of Forestry allocates emission targets across sectors based on the mitigation potential of each sector and the overall national climate change response goals defined in the framework convention on climate change.
Q: What are the benefits of setting sectoral emission targets for 2025 to 2030?
A: Setting sectoral emission targets for 2025 to 2030 helps in reducing total emissions, promoting renewable energy usage, enhancing energy efficiency and aligning policies and measures across all sectors to combat the climate crisis effectively.
Q: How does the draft sectoral emission targets play a role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions?
A: The draft sectoral emission targets outline specific reduction measures and goals for each sector, aiming to collectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to the goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
Q: What are the potential impacts of climate change if sectoral emission targets are not implemented?
A: Failure to implement sectoral emission targets could lead to exacerbated climate change impacts, increased frequency of extreme weather events and hinder progress towards achieving the net-zero emissions goal by 2050.