South Africa

Africa
Previous Sierra Leone
1.07%
Share of global GHG emissions
Based on data from Climate Watch (CAIT 2020), developed and maintained by the World Resources Institute.
#75
Climate Vulnerability Index ranking
A higher number means a higher vulnerability to climate change. Based on the ND-GAIN Index (2021), developed by the University of Notre Dame.
#109
Human Development Index ranking
A lower number means a better human development score. Based on the Human Development Index (2021), developed by UNDP.
350-420 Mt
Conditional emissions reduction target by 2030
(CO2e)
The highest emissions reduction target, conditional or unconditional, included in the country’s latest NDC.
NDC Status 

South Africa submitted its updated NDC in September 2021. 

Key highlights from the NDC 
  • South Africa’s updated mitigation targets represent a significant progression from the first NDC : the country commits to a fixed target for greenhouse gas emissions levels of 398-510 MtCO2e by 2025, and 350-420 MtCO2e by 2030, compared to 398 and 614 Mt CO2e between 2025 and 2030 as communicated in the first NDC.  
  • The revised NDC includes the country's first adaptation communication with elaborated measures on adaptation.
  • In its updated NDC, South Africa has also set the goal to reach net zero emissions by 2050 in its Low-Emission Development Strategy. 
  • South Africa aims to access significantly higher levels of climate finance during the periods of implementation of the NDC, with a view to achieving a floor of USD 8 billion per year by 2030.
  • UNDP's Climate Promise work in South Africa is specifically focused on gender mainstreaming into NDC implementation, with emphasis on creating an enabling policy environment for gender-responsive climate action. UNDP also supports initiatives that empower and capacitate youth on climate issues.
Adaptation and resilience areas in the NDC
  • Transport
  • Agriculture
  • Energy
  • Settlements
  • Biodiversity
  • Water
The Climate Promise is being delivered in collaboration with key partners. Thanks to our partners in South Africa:

Last Updated

November 27, 2023

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