Economic Sustainabilty in South Africa with Regard to Cop17

What is the COP 17?

The Conference of the Parties (COP) has been formed since 1995 when the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change entered into force. The COP have been meeting annually for the 17th year to evaluate steps forward in addressing the issue regarding climate change. The COP implements decisions and resolutions that are published in the reports of the COP. The COP uses these decisions to set up a constitution that are an effective and practical guide to solving climate change. The COP 17 was held in Durban, South Africa taking place from 28 November to 9 December 2011. The President of COP 17 is Ms Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, the South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation.

United Nations Convention on Climate Change:

In 1992, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) sets a general structure conducted between governments for ways to address climate change. The convention entered into force on 21 March 1994. The main aim of the convention is control the level at which greenhouse gases are caused by human intervention within the climate system.

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has a universal membership with 194 parties. The membership governments under the convention commit to gather and share information on greenhouse gas emissions, national policies and practices; launch national strategies for addressing greenhouse gas emissions and cooperate in preparing for adaptation to the impacts of climate change.

Environmental sustainability in South Africa:

The response to climate change in South Africa has been very slow compared to European nations. The main contributors to climate change are companies, namely ESKOM and SASOL. These two government corporations have operations within their industries making them the largest emitters of greenhouse gases in South Africa. ESKOM is the largest emitter of carbon dioxide in Africa and SASOL is responsible for...