The Minerals Council of South Africa has reiterated that the mining industry will be proactive in addressing the serious challenges posed by climate change.
The MCSA, led by environment head Stephinah Mudau, stated in their virtual meeting with the Portfolio Committee on Forestry, Fisheries, and Environment to discuss the Climate Change Bill that “the South African mining sector has made massive strides in trying to reduce carbon emissions and that it supported actions that were set through the Paris Agreement and the Glasgow Climate Pact.”
“The mining industry has contributed to South Africa’s response through the implementation of policy instruments like goal to net zero, the nationally determined contributions, climate change Bill, carbon tax, and the just energy transition framework”, Mudau stated,
She revealed that the industry had made progress in decarbonising the industry and that the board had adopted a climate change position that outlined mandatory commitments for member companies. “We’ve also gone a step further by developing a guideline that will assist our members in developing our own climate change plans.”
The committee had earlier heard from Business Unity South Africa, Section 27, and the University of Cape Town. Presenters discussed the unaligned carbon tax and carbon budgets, penalties for exceeding the carbon budget, the role and involvement of basic education, and increased statutory authority for the Presidential Commission on Climate Change (PCCC).
Mr Phagiso Modise, the committee’s acting chairperson, told the participants that climate change was no longer an environmental issue. “We have to focus on the benefit of the early actions, which for us as South Africans we running out of time.”
Ms Mudau, speaking on behalf of the MCSA, stated that it was critical for their members to decarbonise in order for the industry to catch up and meet international standards fairly. During the hearings, the majority of participants supported the Bill.
