COP 17: What Role for South Africa as an Agent of Change?

South Africa hosted COP 17 in 2011 with the goal of establishing legal guidelines for carbon emission reductions and advancing a post-2012 global climate regime. The document highlights the tension between developed and developing nations regarding binding targets, specifically the stalemate over the Kyoto Protocol. South Africa aims to act as a bridge-builder, championing African agency and adaptation needs while coordinating with the BASIC alliance. Domestically, the document notes that South Africa must finalize policies on carbon taxes and renewable energy tariffs to lead by example, as it is the world's 13th highest greenhouse-gas emitter.

• South Africa's primary objective for COP 17 is to establish legal guidelines for reducing carbon emissions and progress toward a post-2012 global climate change regime, while implementing the 2010 Cancun agreements.
• International negotiations are stalled by a divide: developing countries want a second commitment period for the Kyoto Protocol for accountability, while the US and countries like Canada, Japan, and Russia oppose it unless emerging economies like China also take on binding targets.
• The Africa Group, representing 54 members and 36% of UN membership, is divided by national priorities: OPEC members (Algeria, Angola, Libya, Nigeria) fear the impact of renewable energy on oil exports, SIDS seek urgent adaptation and disaster risk management, and Central African states focus on REDD+ and deforestation in the Congo Basin.
• South Africa utilizes the BASIC alliance (Brazil, South Africa, India, and China) as a coordinating group to advance the interests of Africa and the developing world, despite differences in economic capabilities.
• To maintain legitimacy and leadership, South Africa is adopting inclusive strategies from COP 16 (Cancun), including the involvement of civil society and business through 'greening frameworks' and public outreach.
• As the world's 13th highest greenhouse-gas emitter, South Africa has committed to reducing carbon emissions below a business-as-usual baseline by 34% by 2020 and 42% by 2025, provided there is adequate financial and technical support.
• Despite approving the National Climate Change Response Policy on 12 October 2011, South Africa still lacks clarity on its carbon tax design, integrated resource plan (IRP) II, and renewable energy feed-in tariff regulation.

APA

Chevallier, R. (2011). COP 17: What Role for South Africa as an Agent of Change? South African Institute of International Affairs. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Policy-Briefing-38.pdf

Chicago

Chevallier, Romy. COP 17: What Role for South Africa as an Agent of Change? South African Institute of International Affairs, 2011. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Policy-Briefing-38.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Chevallier |first1=Romy |title=COP 17: What Role for South Africa as an Agent of Change? |publisher=South African Institute of International Affairs |date=November 2011 |url=https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Policy-Briefing-38.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{chevallier2011cop, author = {Chevallier, Romy}, title = {{COP 17: What Role for South Africa as an Agent of Change?}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2011}, month = nov, url = {https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Policy-Briefing-38.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }