South Africa’s Ramaphosa Enshrines Climate Targets Into Law

  • President signs climate bill after years of deliberation
  • All government levels compelled to take climate into account

The bill comes as South Africa embarks on a transition away from the use of coal to greener forms of energy to produce almost all of its power. 

Photographer: Dwayne Senior/Bloomberg
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South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed a landmark bill that will compel all levels of government to take climate considerations into account when setting budgets and making decisions.

The Climate Change Bill — which allows the government to set carbon budgets at national, industry and even large-company level — is designed help the state to meet ambitious emission-reduction targets by 2030. Those are part of an international treaty, the 2015 Paris Agreement.