Volhoubare ontwikkelingsdoelwitte 7 en 13 en die fasilitering van klimaatsveranderingtempering in Suid-Afrika

Abstract

In 2007, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released their fourth assessment report, declaring that climate change is unavoidable and human activities are the largest catalyst for climate change. South Africa has an energy-intensive economy, which provides in the most of the country’s needs through fossil fuels. The need is for urgent transformation of the energy sector, with a shift from coal towards more sustainable and renewable energy sources. Article 24 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, stipulates that everyone has the right to an environment that is not harmful to individuals’ health or well-being. Furthermore, everyone has the right to the protection of their environment, for the benefit of present and future generations. The state is mandated to protect the environment through reasonable legislative and other measures, to prevent pollution and ecological degradation, promote conservation, and secure ecologically sustainable development and the harnessing of natural resources. The mentioned sustainable development must benefit society at large. The aim of this research project is to point out that renewable energy provides a viable source of energy, of which the use can transform the energy sector. This reformation of the energy sector must be incorporated pertinently as a specific mitigating measure, within the South African climate legislation, which is being written presently. This study analyses the international legal frameworks for climate change as well as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2030. The focus is specifically on SDGs 7 and 13, including the current South African legal frameworks for energy usage and mitigation of climate change. The ultimate purpose is to determine to what extent the existing legal frameworks can be expanded to reach the targets as set out by SDGs 7 and 13.