Hon Deputy Chairperson, at Conference of the Parties, COP 21, in Paris on 12 December 2015 parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, NFCCC, reached a historic agreement to combat climate change and to accelerate and intensify the actions and investments needed for a sustainable low carbon future.

All nation state parties present undertook to action to reduce carbon emissions in the form of Intended Nationally Determined Contributions, INDCs, which will form the foundation for climate action post 2020.

As we all know the INDCs form the foundational contributions which each country will be required to make in order to keep the expected global average temperature rise to within two degrees Celsius.

The question in 2020 which we must ask ourselves is: Is South Africa doing enough? Are we bringing our share regarding adaptation and mitigation of climate change? Or are we further contributing to climate change by not having clear enforceable policy and legislation on the issue? How are we adapting to the multifaceted, complex and continuous process with the aim of reducing the impacts of climate change? These are the hard questions that require answering.

Barriers to adaptation must be identified and addressed, otherwise...

IsiZulu:

... izosibulala lento.

English:

Hon Deputy Chairperson, the Africa continent currently finds itself having to meet the enormous demands for energy and the challenge we face in meeting the demand is that we further add to global warming.

IsiZulu:

Kunzima.

English:

It is therefore most important that carbon emissions remain low, and they can if the right low carbon energy choices are made now. The matter is urgent, Chairperson.

We must follow the path of sustainable energy efficiency. Solar, wind and hydro energy must receive grater impetus. Renewable must lead our drive towards greater energy efficiency.

In conclusion, this is our planet and we must walk gently upon her. Relentless chasing of profits and continuous economic development in pursuit of greater growth above all else will only bring imbalance to nature.

IsiZulu:

Izosibulala lento. Ngiyabonga. [Ihlombe.]