NDC September 2021.pdf

Summary

This document presents South Africa’s 2021 update to its first Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement. It outlines the country’s revised strategies for climate change mitigation and adaptation while emphasizing the need for a just transition that addresses domestic challenges like poverty and unemployment. The report introduces significantly more ambitious greenhouse gas emission targets for 2025 and 2030, aiming to reduce the upper limits of previous projections through investments in renewable energy and green transport. Additionally, it includes the nation's first Adaptation Communication, which details plans to protect vulnerable sectors such as agriculture, health, and water from escalating climate risks. Implementation of these goals is contingent upon receiving international support in the form of finance, technology transfer, and capacity building. Overall, the text serves as a comprehensive roadmap for South Africa's shift toward a low-carbon, climate-resilient economy.