Molewa still hopeful on climate fund

Durban - Negotiations at Cop 17 on the Green Climate Fund are not about to fall apart, Environment Minister Edna Molewa said on Wednesday.

"We are still confident we are on track to (make operational) the Green Climate Fund," she told reporters at the climate summit in Durban.

Responding to questions, she said the "sources of funds aspect" of the climate fund had not yet been dealt with in the negotiations, and suggested this would carry over to Cop 18.

"The discussion on sources of funds still needs to take place, and by Cop 18 we should have some progress," she said.

What was being brought into operation was a "shell" climate fund, she said.

The Green Climate Fund was agreed to at Cop 16 in Cancun, Mexico last year. It aims to provide $100bn to poorer countries by 2020 to help them cope with carbon emissions and adapt to climate change.

Talks still on

Molewa said the South African delegation, which she heads, remained engaged in the negotiations.

She warned against making too much of some pronouncements by countries on issues as it was still early and "negotiations have just begun".

By the end of the week, a clearer picture would emerge.

"Things are going smoothly; we are on track," Molewa said.

Objections to the $100bn for the fund - which is to be provided by developed countries - were raised earlier this week by Canada and the United States.

Both countries cited concerns about how the money would be raised.

Also at Wednesday's briefing, Science Minister Naledi Pandor gave details of several local technological innovations on display at the summit.

These included the home-grown Joule electric car, as well as Gizmo, a South African-developed pencil buoy used to study water quality.