The National Assembly has passed the Climate Change Bill with objections from the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP).
The Bill seeks to ensure the development of an effective climate change response and a long term, just transition to a low-carbon and climate-resilient economy and society.
The Bill also seeks to provide for a coordinated response by the three spheres of government.
When she opened the debate, Forestry, Fisheries and Environment Minister Barbara Creecy told the House that the debate marked an important milestone in the country’s common battle against climate change.
“Today, this House will complete the first stage in ensuring our country has a legal instrument to build resilience to the impacts of climate change and reduce emissions that is in a way that is appropriate to our national circumstances and development pathway. The sixth report on the international panel on climate change shows us that the world is already dangerously closed to an average temperature increase of 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial times. We must move with speed to reduce carbon emissions to limit the severity of climate change impacts.”
