South Africa
South Africa’s Ramaphosa signs carbon tax into law
In a first for an African country, the coal-heavy economy will put a price on pollution, but campaigners say it is not high enough
South Africa set to introduce long-awaited carbon tax in June
The levy will make polluters report and pay for their emissions, but experts say the starting rate is too low to spur a rapid shift to clean energy
South Africa draft climate law would set emissions targets for every sector
The bill calls on every part of government to coordinate in climate action, but South Africa’s heavy use of coal remains its biggest challenge
China signed African coal deal days before Xi low emissions pledge at G20
In the week China’s president called for development banks to support low emissions in poor countries, China Development Bank loaned $1.5bn to coal in South Africa
Unfinished business: Coal miners across South Africa walk away from clean up
Documents obtained by Climate Home reveal a growing crisis as big miners and government shift liability to small companies who cannot afford coal mine clean up
Iconic Kruger game park faces bleak climate future
Recent drought gives a taste of things to come for Kruger National Park, South Africa, as global warming outpaces species’ ability to adapt
Climate change is testing southern Africa water agreements
Stronger and fairer water agreements will be needed to prevent conflicts in southern Africa as the climate changes
South Africa authorises coal splurge during UN climate summit
Government accused of ignoring increasingly severe water crisis as it gives green light to more coal plants in bid to tackle electricity shortages
Wind, solar costs undercut new coal plants in South Africa
Wind and solar power are 40% cheaper than new coal generation today, analysis of government data shows
High and dry: South African drought leaves Lesotho parched
Water-rich Lesotho has long lubricated South Africa’s burgeoning population, but when drought struck in 2016, it was the residents of Katse village who suffered
Inside South Africa’s battle between coal and renewables
Pretoria’s generous energy subsidies have got the country used to cheap, dirty power – but change is on the way as solar and wind prices plummet
Message control: Reporting the UN climate change talks
ANALYSIS: Recent negotiations saw calls for international media to offer a “balanced” picture of plans for a global deal, but the picture is not as binary as many suggest
South Africa targets 2025 emissions peak in UN climate plan
NEWS: Emerging economy commits to carbon emissions climax by 2025, though holds back details on how much aid needed
South Africa accused of weakening emissions target
NEWS: WWF warns emerging economy is manipulating baseline data to lower ambition in draft contribution to UN climate deal
South Africa to target 34% carbon cuts by 2025
NEWS: Background document seen by RTCC indicates government will not change goal laid out in 2009 ahead of UN climate deal
BRICS bank’s first project should be green – Modi
NEWS: India PM calls for emerging economy fund to back clean energy at bloc’s seventh summit in Russia
India, China, Brazil & South Africa issue UN climate deal checklist
NEWS: Influential bloc of emerging economies sets out priorities for Paris pact with finance and differentiation topping agenda
BRICs group to expand environmental cooperation
NEWS: Leading emerging economies say they want to deepen ties on renewable energy and explore ways to finance green growth
China and India adopt UK tool to map green futures
NEWS: UK-led modelling tools are helping governments around the world develop contributions to a global climate deal
BASIC group urges rich to stump up cash for climate
NEWS: Brazil, South Africa, China and India say developed nations must meet their financial commitments