South Africa has committed to reducing its carbon emissions by 34% by 2020, but says it will need financial aid from developed countries to do so.
The announcement was made as the world climate talks started in Copenhagen this morning. Environmental group Greenpeace said the announcement had made South Africa “one of the stars of the negotiations”. The country´s greenhouse gases mainly come from the energy industry, which uses coal. The government says it is looking at other energy sources.
South Africa said it would lower its carbon emissions to 34% below current expected levels by 2020 and about 42% below current trends by 2025. “This undertaking is conditional on firstly a fair, ambitious and effective agreement,” a South African government statement said. “And secondly, the provision of support from the international community, and in particular finance, technology and support.”
The government said developing countries such as South Africa would need financial help from developed economies, with some of the aid being used to acquire the technology needed to reach its target.
The country´s chief climate negotiator Alf Wills told Reuters the offer was the first quantification of how South Africa planned to reduce its carbon footprint.
Source: BBC News
The liveeco team
