South Africa’s Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC).

In accordance with decision 1/CP.19 and 1/CP.20 of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework on Climate Change, South Africa has submitted its intended nationally determined contribution (INDC) on adaptation, mitigation as well as finance and investment requirements for both. It is a nationwide sectoral document aiming at (i) ensuring temperature increases are kept below 2°C; and (ii) reducing emissions of CO2 and other long-lived GHGs. The INDC contains both adaptation and mitigation measures.
Main adaptation measures are (i) develop a National Adaptation Plan, and begin operationalization as part of implementing the National Climate Change Response Policy (NCCRP); (ii) take into account climate considerations in national development, sub-national and sector policy frameworks; (iii) build the necessary institutional capacity for climate change response planning and implementation; (iv) develop an early warning, vulnerability and adaptation monitoring system; (v) development of a vulnerability assessment and adaptation needs framework; and (vi) communication of past investments in adaptation for education and awareness as well as for international recognition. While South Africa’s mitigation component of its INDC moves from a “deviation from business-as-usual” form of commitment and aims to a decline of GHG emissions range focusing on three GHGs: carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide.