South Africa's 2035 climate action targets: towards ambition, resilience and justice

THE Just Transition is central to South Africa's nationally determined contribution (NDC). Key planning instruments - such as economic diversification, labour market readiness, social support, governance, and climate finance - must drive the transition in ways that actively reduce structural inequalities linked to race, gender, geography and economic access. This means not only decarbonising high-emitting sectors but also introducing new sectors and deploying infrastructure that will open opportunities for employment, innovation, and inclusion.

- BLESSING MANALE

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE) has released the draft NDC for public consultation, signalling government's recognition that climate action while the Presidential Climate Commission (PCC) released its discussion documents for the NDC, emerging and shaped by months of technical research and wide-ranging stakeholder consultations.

South Africa has revised its NDC 2023-2025, which is the backbone of our climate commitments under the Paris Agreement. This is not merely a compliance exercise to meet international obligations. It is a chance to redefine our development pathway, reaffirm our commitment to justice, and ensure that South Africa charts a bold, inclusive course towards a low-carbon, climate-resilient future.

Setting an NDC requires inclusive and whole of society engagement and consultation, better integration across government departments, and alignment with Sectoral Emissions Targets. The NDC should reflect strategic choices made through the processes established in the Climate Change Act, including the national GHG trajectory, SETs, carbon budgets, and mitigation plans. For this reason, it is critical that all stakeholders and all spheres of government are actively involved in shaping and implementing these commitments