South Africa
South Africa submitted its first Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) in 2016, followed by an updated version in 2021. In October 2025, South Africa submitted its most recent NDC.
The country commits to reduce annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to a range of 320–380 million tonnes CO2e in 2035, in line with its commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
Mitigation priorities include green energy expansion and green industrialization — while adaptation priorities include water and sanitation, disaster risk management, transportation, food security, early warning systems, ecosystem-based adaptation, resilient infrastructure and human settlements.
The NDC was developed under the leadership of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), through a whole-of-economy, whole-of-center, people-centred approach.
Knowledge
Timeline of United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Document Submissions
Please click on the timeline below to view the documents submitted.
Climate Commitments
- Membership: Member since 2016. Founding member.
- Country Engagement: Since joining the Partnership, partners have supported various activities, including the NDC revision process through the Climate Action Enhancement Package; socio-economic impact assessments of the shutdown, powering, and repurposing of 7 Eskom coal fired power stations; and the development of an Adaptation Investment Plan and an Article 6 Framework. For further information on the requests submitted by South Africa, including outstanding areas of support, please follow the links in the following section.
Focal Point Ministry
- Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE)
