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He said South Africa came to Hokkaido with the expectation that the eight major industrialised economies of the world would demonstrate leadership on the climate change issue, but he added glumly: "The long-term global goal for emission reductions of 50% by 2050 falls below what is scientifically required to stabilise the atmosphere at a relatively safe level."
He explained that to be meaningful and credible, a long-term goal must have a base year, it must be underpinned by ambitious mid-term targets and actions and it should be based on equitable burden sharing.
"We know very well that there are many countries in the G8 grouping that share our ambitious expectations," Van Schalkwyk said, "and therefore it is regrettable that the lowest common denominator in the G8 determined the level of ambition in the G8 declaration on climate change."
The package that South Africa is striving for has three elements, he said. Firstly, the global community should seriously consider a long-term global goal for emission reductions of at least 50% by 2050 compared to 1990 levels. G8 industrialised countries should resolve to lead with reductions of between 80% and 95% below 1990 levels by mid-century.
Secondly, absolute emission reductions based on mid-term targets toward the upper end of the range of 25% to 40% below 1990 levels by 2020 for all developed countries with the emphasis on 'all' developed countries; And finally, substantial deviations below business-as-usual baselines in some developing country regions by 2020 and in all regions by 2050.
"This offer comes as a political package," the minister said. "To display integrity, a long-term goal must have a base year and it must be underpinned by clearly-defined mid-term targets. Only on that basis can we all agree on the global goal."
- I-Net Bridge
