South Africa Says China Could Assume Climate Lead if US Exits

Article content

(Bloomberg) — South Africa’s environment minister said China has an opportunity to lead the global fight against climate change as the United States prepares to scale back its commitments after Donald Trump was elected president.

The world’s largest emitter has faced harsh criticism from the United States and developed European countries for not pulling its weight when it comes to increasing climate financing to help poor countries adapt to a warming world. China has claimed that, as a developing country, it is not responsible for the accumulation of gases resulting from industrial activities over the past three centuries.

Article content

“This is the big debate going on,” Dion George, the environment minister, said in an interview with Bloomberg Television on Friday. “If it wants to become the great power, the great global power that it might aspire to be,” it needs to show some leadership.

Countries are currently discussing how to address climate change at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Azerbaijan in the wake of this year’s hurricanes, floods and droughts – which have devastated communities in the US, Europe and Africa. Developing countries are demanding annual climate financing of $1.3 trillion, which represents a significant increase from the $100 billion pledges made by developed countries in 2009, but which were only met recently.

“China’s position is that it is a developing economy and is not required to make a contribution on this particular item,” George said. “Certainly, advanced economies think China should contribute.”

Historical emissions

China currently emits more than twice as much carbon emissions as any other country, coming in second over a longer period of time. Between 1750 and 2018, it emitted 214 billion tons of greenhouse gases, trailing only the United States by 397 billion tons. While India, a major polluter, has been invited to contribute, its historical emissions are relatively low.

Article content

Article content

Carbon dioxide persists for hundreds of years, so emissions from centuries ago are warming the planet today.

In September, when Germany’s climate envoy criticized it over its climate goals, China’s Foreign Ministry said developed countries had a “moral responsibility” and legal obligation to lead efforts to combat global warming and provide financial support for the energy transition in poor countries. The Chinese Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to the request, which was sent after normal business hours.

George said China could find various ways to contribute, such as debt relief for many countries that owe it money, which are often unable to allocate funds to make their infrastructure more resilient to adverse weather due to interest payments.

“Africa is deeply indebted to China. Maybe there is an opportunity for them to contribute in this way.”

According to the Center for Global Development Policy at Boston University, China lent African countries $182 billion between 2000 and 2023.

George’s position represents a shift from his predecessor, Barbara Cressy, who agreed with China that climate financing, as part of the $100 billion target, is an obligation only of developed countries.

Article content

Creasy, who is now transport minister, is a member of the African National Congress, a party that seeks close ties with China. George, a member of the pro-market Democratic Alliance, took office in June after the ANC lost its parliamentary majority in May elections and was forced to form a coalition.

“How China is categorized, categorized itself, or categorized by others. “I don’t think it’s here or there.” “We know we have this existential crisis and we must pay for it.”

The $1.3 trillion target, which includes private financing and money from multilateral development banks as well as direct contributions from governments, is ambitious but achievable, George said.

“If we want to be serious about achieving a goal, we have to make sure there is enough money,” said George, who along with his Norwegian counterpart is leading talks on mitigation at COP29. “It is very much doable, but it will of course require political will.”

Sign up here for the twice-weekly Next Africa newsletter

– With assistance from Matthew Hale.

Article content