The problem of climate change relates to the human contribution to increasing emissions that impact on changing climate and increasing temperatures over the course of time. This results in a range of environmental changes, such as sea level rise, spread of vector born diseases, more malaria in Africa. There is a wide range of impacts on the both the natural and human system. The biggest share of human contribution comes from the energy sector – by burning fossil fuels and in South Africa in particular, burning coal.

Why did you go into the field of climate change?

I am interested in issues related to the economics of energy, the science and politics of energy are fascinating. My particular area of interest is how to do something about the problem of climate change with energy systems and technologies.

What work are you currently doing?

I’m doing various kinds of research in a range of areas:

-          Research looking at future commitment beyond 2012, beyond the Kyoto Protocol. We are looking at what a climate change protocol would look like and how it links to local sustainable development. In my opinion South Africa’s approach should start form local sustainable development objectives, for example, making housing more energy efficient.  We have a particular focus on the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). Less myself and more my colleagues are working on adaptation – which looks at adapting to the impacts of climate change. For example, adapting housing and transport to the more regular incidents of floods or adapting living condition to more frequent drought. Increased incidence of either floods or droughts are examples of climate changes we believe have resulted from high levels of green house gas emissions. I myself am more focussed on mitigation which focuses on mechanisms to reduce the amount of green house gas emitted. 

-          We do also do capacity building and training on technical aspects – for government, industry and NGOs. For example, we did training for the National Climate Change Committee last year where we provided background to climate change issues, and how they get negotiated. We also covered issues of future commitment more specifically.

-          Another area of research is commitment around adaptation whereby developed countries help developing countries to develop approaches and technology that prepares them for the impacts of climate change.  

-          Mitigation commitment – poorest countries do not put out a lot of emissions but are also most vulnerable to emissions – so both areas have an emphasis on mitigation.

The Clean Development Mechanism is, however, the main focus in SA since we don’t formally participate in the trading of carbon credits. South Africa does not have a cap, or upper limit, on carbon emissions, which is required in order to trade formally. Trading is mainly for those countries that have caps. In order to set a cap a country needs to know the levels of carbon emissions it has, which at this point South Africa does not. Countries can then buy and sell the difference between actual emissions and their cap level. So countries that are over their cap, as is the case in many developed countries, can pay countries that have low level of emissions, as is the case with many developing countries, for carbon credits. For example the EU target is to decrease emissions by 7% less than 1990 levels. 

The CDM allows countries that don’t have caps to trade. It establishes on a project level, as opposed to national level, that emission reductions are real.

Are their other key issues in climate change at the moment?

Another area is energy for sustainable development. It looks especially at renewable energy and energy efficiency. This involves, for example, using solar and wind generated electricity instead of fossil fuel or installing more efficient lighting and appliances and ensuring better insulation in building that reduces energy use.  We are involved with contributing to energy policies that promote sustainable development. We must look at that because lead to an agreement between stakeholders as to what South Africa’s position on climate change and emission reduction will be. Stakeholder participation is key because without it decisions will not be implemented.