Climate Change Act, 2024 (Act No. 22 of 2024)Chapter 1 : Interpretations, Objects and Application3. Principles |
The interpretation and application of this Act must be guided by—
| (a) | the national environmental management principles set out in section 2 of the National Environmental Management Act where applicable in this Act; |
| (b) | the principle that the climate system must be protected for the benefit of present and future generations of humankind; |
| (c) | the principle that acknowledges international equity and each country’s common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, in light of different national circumstances; |
| (d) | a contribution to a just transition towards low-carbon, climate-resilient and ecologically sustainable economies and societies which contribute to the creation of decent work for all, social inclusion and the eradication of poverty; |
| (e) | the need for integrated management, in the context of climate change, which requires climate change considerations to be integrated into the making of decisions which may have a significant effect on the Republic’s ability to mitigate or which exacerbate its vulnerability to climate change; |
| (f) | the need for decision-making to consider the special needs and circumstances of localities and people that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change, including vulnerable workers and groups such as women, especially poor and rural women, children, especially infants and child-headed families, the aged, the poor, the sick and persons with disabilities; |
| (g) | the need for a risk-averse and cautious approach to be adopted, which takes into account the limits of current knowledge about causes and effects of climate change and the consequences of decisions and actions in relation thereto; |
| (h) | the need for climate change mitigation and adaptation responses to be informed by evolving climate change scientific knowledge and decisions which must be based on the best available science, evidence and information; |
| (i) | an effective climate change response which requires preventative measures to mitigate the causes of climate change and to strengthen resilience through the adoption of adaptation measures; |
| (j) | the costs of responding to the adverse impacts of climate change and of mitigation which must be paid for by those responsible for causing the adverse impacts; |
| (k) | an integrated climate change response which requires the enhancement of public awareness of climate change causes and impacts and the promotion of participation and action at all levels; and |
| (l) | a recognition that a robust and sustainable economy and a healthy society depends on the services that well-functioning ecosystems provide, and that enhancing the sustainability of the economic, social and ecological services is an integral component of an effective and efficient climate change response. |