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To: Minister Dion George
From Paper to Action: A Call For Ambitious Climate Action
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In light of the proclamation of the Climate Change Act, we call on you, Minister, to take the next critical step in addressing the climate crisis by prioritising ambitious climate action at the highest level. We urge you to drive climate action through actionable plans that address the ongoing climate emergency, which threatens the health, livelihoods, and well-being of all living in South Africa, especially those with the least adaptive capacity. These efforts must align with South Africa’s commitments under the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), ensuring the transition to a low-carbon economy is ambitious, inclusive, and just.
Why is this important?
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has issued a stark warning: global warming is on track to exceed 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, a threshold that will lead to catastrophic impacts such as rising sea levels, more frequent droughts, and extreme weather events.
South Africa has already been significantly impacted by climate change, with droughts, heatwaves, and severe storms becoming more frequent and intense, claiming lives and destroying infrastructure. As we enter the second half of what scientists have dubbed the critical decade, the worst of the climate crisis is yet to come. Without ambitious, actionable plans, South Africa risks further deepening existing social and economic inequalities.As the ministry responsible for climate policy, particularly with the submission of the Nationally Determined Contributions, your leadership is crucial in driving immediate and transformative action to safeguard South Africa’s future.
South Africa has already been significantly impacted by climate change, with droughts, heatwaves, and severe storms becoming more frequent and intense, claiming lives and destroying infrastructure. As we enter the second half of what scientists have dubbed the critical decade, the worst of the climate crisis is yet to come. Without ambitious, actionable plans, South Africa risks further deepening existing social and economic inequalities.As the ministry responsible for climate policy, particularly with the submission of the Nationally Determined Contributions, your leadership is crucial in driving immediate and transformative action to safeguard South Africa’s future.
We are calling on you, Minister, to rise to the moment - to demonstrate bold leadership and take decisive action. It is your responsibility to do what it takes to keep the Paris Agreement goal of 1.5°C alive through the following actions:
- Submit an ambitious NDC
- Alignment of NDC and Integrated Resource Plan (IRP)
- Clear and Practical Plans for Phasing Out Fossil Fuels
- Stronger Emission Reduction Targets
- Fair and Equitable Climate Finance
- Social Safety Nets for Climate-Displaced Communities
- Investment in Early Warning Systems