President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed members of South Africa’s first Presidential Climate Change Coordinating Commission with immediate effect, APA learnt on Friday.
“The commission is tasked with advising on South Africa’s climate change response, to include mitigation and adaptation to climate change and its associated impacts,” the presidency said.
It added: “It will furthermore provide independent monitoring and review of South Africa’s progress in meeting its emissions reduction and adaptation goals.”
In addition, the commission would advise on and facilitate a common understanding of a “just transition”, cognisant of the socio-economic, environmental and technological implications of climate change – apart from covering adaptation, mitigation as well as means of implementation, the office said.
“It will provide a platform for the engagement of key stakeholders on the National Employment Vulnerability Assessment and Sector Job Resilient Plans and ensure reporting of progress towards the implementation of the Sector Job Resilient Plans,” the presidency said.
Ramaphosa will chair the commission which comprises representatives from government ministries and state agencies, business organisations, labour, academia, civil society, research institutions and traditional leadership, the office said.
According to the presidency, the establishment of the commission was first mooted at the 2018 Presidential Jobs Summit where social partners agreeing that a statutory body should be formed to coordinate and oversee the transition towards a low-carbon and inclusive climate change resilient economy and society.
NM/jn/APA