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The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment has published the draft Framework for the Republic of South Africa (draft Framework) in terms of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement for public comment.
Have your say – shape the framework.
Article 6.2 provides an accounting framework for international cooperation and allows for the international transfer of mitigation outcomes (MOs) between countries based on mutual agreements. MOs transferred under this mechanism are referred to as ITMOs once authorised.
Article 6.4 establishes a central UN mechanism to contribute to mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions and support sustainable development, emission reductions generated through specific projects, analogous to the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). Key amongst its aims is the promotion of mitigations of GhGs, incentivise participation of public and private sector entities authorised by a Party; contribute to reduction of emissions in the host country; deliver Overall Mitigation to Global Emissions (OMGE) The carbon credits to be generated under Article 6.4 are termed Article 6.4 Emission Reductions (A6.4 ERs).
Article 6.8 establishes a work programme for non-market approaches; the scope generally does not result in carbon credits/ offsets but focusses on those activities that contribute to advancing the NDCs and climate action in general. The non-market approaches are efforts, actions or activities that can be described as policies, strategies, regulations, bilateral and voluntary agreements, education and awareness programmes.
Also, research and development projects as well as fiscal instruments that promote the development of, amongst others, renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies that support participating parties to achieve their climate change commitments.
Recalling and in accordance with Article 6.8, South Africa recognizes and 18 acknowledges that the non-market-based approaches could also include, but not limited to, other additional Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs); adaptation actions, international finance, technology transfer and capacity building expressing the support needs and requirements as appropriate to the country’s attendant circumstances within the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication.
South Africa, as a Party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and its Paris Agreement, has an option to make use of article 6 of the Paris Agreement in the implementation of its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC).
The scope of article 6 is about international cooperation between parties to the Paris Agreement to voluntarily use carbon markets as well as non-market approaches in the implementation of the NDCs. Article 6 is one of the mix of measures that a party may choose to deploy in the implementation of its climate commitments (NDC). It is for that reason a clear framework providing broad guidance on processes and institutional set-up is necessary in enabling effective participation for both public and private sector entities.
The draft Framework provides guidance on the key principles, the governance requirements for international offsets, the process followed, key infrastructure requirements and other activities related to Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. It is intended to articulate related governance, institutional and legal arrangements that will need to be developed or revised.
The draft Framework adopts a comprehensive approach to Article 6, encompassing not only the intricacies of Article 6.2, but also extending its horizon to include Article 6.4 and Article 6.8.