South Africa must use less coal and put its climate laws into action if it wants to meet its 2035 climate targets. This is according to two law scholars from the University of Venda.
The researchers compared the country’s latest climate pledge with what the International Court of Justice says governments must legally do. Their article was published by The Conversation and republished by Moneyweb ahead of COP31.
“South Africa’s second climate pledge is an important step forward, but its effectiveness depends on implementation,” the authors wrote.
The scholars are Professor Ademola Oluborode Jegede and Dr Matilda Adedoyin Chukwuemeka. Both work at the Ismail Mahomed Centre for Human and Peoples’ Rights at the university.
South Africa’s pledge is called its Second Nationally Determined Contribution. It aims to keep greenhouse gas emissions between 320 million and 380 million tonnes by 2035.
The researchers said the gap of 60 million tonnes between those two numbers is huge. They said it is about the same as the carbon dioxide from 13 million petrol cars driven for a year.
According to the authors, emitting 380 million tonnes would put South Africa off course for the global goal of limiting warming to 1.5°C. They said reaching the lower end would bring the country closer to that goal.
The scholars said the country still burns coal to make more than 70% of its electricity. They said this raises questions about whether South Africa can keep its own promises.
They also said the country depends on international loans and grants to move from coal to green energy. Coal is important for jobs and power, especially in Mpumalanga.
In 2025, the International Court of Justice in The Hague gave advice on what governments must do about climate change. South Africa took part in those hearings.
The researchers said the court was clear that announcing plans is not enough. Countries must show they have taken steps to prevent serious harm to the environment.
According to the authors, the court accepted that poorer countries have fewer resources to cut emissions. But they said South Africa cannot use job and power concerns to delay action forever.
The scholars said the government delayed some parts of the Climate Change Act when it brought the law into force in 2025. These parts cover preparing for climate impacts, funding, government duties and some emissions rules.
They pointed to two court cases that show environmental duties can be enforced in South Africa. In a case brought by Earthlife Africa, a court ruled that government must properly weigh the climate effects of new coal power stations.
In another case, the high court found that failing to deal with serious air pollution broke constitutional environmental rights.
The authors said South Africa should use COP31 to explain how it will meet its 2035 targets. They said it should also seek support for cleaner energy and protect workers and communities affected by the move away from coal.
They said future pledges should set stronger and clearer targets and involve the public in climate decisions.
Source: this article is based on reporting by Moneyweb. Image: Moneyweb. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice Business desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Anelisa Nkuna covers business and money news for Tzaneen Voice. Anelisa reports on the rand, fuel prices, interest rates, jobs, Eskom, Transnet, farming and company results. The aim is simple: explain what the numbers mean for household budgets, small businesses and workers in South Africa.