SA to take an "African" position at COP 17

Environmental Affairs chief negotiator Alf Wills said that, while the continent was not united on some environmental issues, South Africa will take an "African" position at the 17th Conference the Parties (COP 17) global climate change meeting in Durban from 28 November to 9 December 2011.

South Africa - who will be the president of COP 17, has key trade partners within the Brics (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) and the Ibsa (India, Brazil, South Africa) grouping of countries, as well as strong relations with the US, particularly through the African Growth and Opportunity Act. Wills pointed out, however, that South Africa's position on climate change was aligned with the African position.

"There are differences in Africa, especially with regard to reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, REDD, between the Democratic Republic of Congo and East African countries," Wills said. "[O]il-rich African countries also had certain affiliations with the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries." Wills called for the agreements reached in Cancun to be put in operation and that while a legally binding agreement may not be reached at COP 17, a system enabling an eventual legally binding agreement should be put in place.

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