South Africa

We evaluate the net zero target as: Target information incomplete.

South Africa states its intention to commit to a net zero CO₂ target (“net zero carbon emissions”) by 2050 as part of a visionary statement in its LTS (Republic of South Africa, 2020). In this context, the National Planning Commission is in the process of developing a common vision for South Africa in 2050 and will subsequently update its Low-Emission Development Strategy. The Just Transition Framework, released by the Presidential Climate Commission in June 2022, refers to reaching “net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050” (Presidential Climate Commission, 2022).

The CAT currently does not evaluate South Africa’s net zero target given the preliminary nature and a lack of more detailed information. The CAT will do so once further information will be communicated by the government.

Scope

• Target year – South Africa aims to reach net zero by 2050.
• Emissions coverage – South Africa states its intention to commit to “net zero carbon emissions” by 2050 as part of a visionary statement in its LTS (Republic of South Africa, 2020). The LTS’s wording indicates a coverage of CO₂ emissions only. The Just Transition Framework, released by the Presidential Climate Commission in June 2022, refers to reaching “net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050” (Presidential Climate Commission, 2022), rather indicating the coverage of all GHG emissions. For this reason, high uncertainty remains on the target’s emissions coverage at present.
• International aviation and shipping – South Africa provides no information on its intention to cover international aviation and shipping.
• Reductions or removals outside of own borders – South Africa provides no information on its intention to use international offset credits to meet its net zero target.

Target architecture

• Legal status – South Africa included its net zero target in their Low-Emission Development Strategy 2050 submitted to the UNFCCC in September 2020 (Republic of South Africa, 2020).
• Separate reduction & removal targets – South Africa provides no information on its intention to communicate separate emission reduction and removal targets.
• Review process – South Africa provides no information on its intention to establish a review cycle for its net zero and intermediate targets.

Transparency

• Carbon dioxide removal – South Africa provides no information on its intention to communicate transparent assumptions on carbon dioxide removals.
• Comprehensive planning – South Africa states its intention to develop a vision for 2050, a process to be overseen by the National Planning Commission (Republic of South Africa, 2020). The Low-Emission Development Strategy highlights the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through various interventions but currently does not specify these in greater detail.
• Clarity on fairness of target – South Africa provides no information on its intention to explain the target’s fairness.

The Climate Action Tracker has defined the following good practice for all ten key elements of net zero targets. Countries can refer to this good practice to design or enhance their net zero targets.