First climate change legislation underway in Parliament, speaker tells SADC counterparts
23 November 2023
The Speaker of the National Assembly, Ms Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, has informed the parliaments of the SADC region that the South African Parliament is actively advancing the climate change Bill, which represents the initial legislative step of its kind, in direct response to the challenges posed by climate change.
The Speaker was delivering South Africa’s country report during the second day of the 54th Plenary Assembly of the SADC Parliamentary Forum, currently underway in Port Louis, in Mauritius. Ms Mapisa-Nqakula briefed the Assembly on what South Africa has done to implement the resolutions of the 53rd Plenary Assembly held in Arusha, Tanzania from 02 to 08 July 2023.
Presenting the report, the Speaker said Parliament was considering the Climate Change Bill as it has already been passed by the NA and is currently under consideration by the National Council of Provinces for concurrence.
“The Bill is the first legal framework in South Africa to respond to the impacts of climate change. It seeks to enable the development of an effective climate change response and a long-term, just transition to a low-carbon and climate-resilient economy and society for South Africa,” the Speaker said. She added that gender mainstreaming is a key component of the country’s climate change response.