South Africa welcomes COP28 outcomes: official

South Africa welcomes the landmark decisions by the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to adopt a global goal on adaptation and just transition pathways work program, a senior government official said Wednesday.

"The decision recognizes different theme areas for adaptation action, it has measurable targets that are time bound. It also recognizes the importance of securing adequate public finance for adaptation from developed countries. This is a big step forward," said Barbara Creecy, minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, when commenting on the just-concluded COP28 in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates.

South Africa also welcomes the decisions on the operationalization of the Loss and Damage Fund, Just Transition Pathways work program, the Mitigation Work Program and the Global Goal on Adaptation, Creecy said in a statement.

"These decisions are in line with our national framework on just transition, in particular the recognition of a country's right to pursue its climate resilience path in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication. For the first time we have language which calls for transitioning away from fossil fuels in energy systems in a just, orderly and equitable manner so as to achieve net zero by 2050 in keeping with the science," she said.

South Africa particularly welcomes the strong human rights, inclusive and participatory approach in the decision to nationally defined just transitions, in which all stakeholders have a role to play and the right to development is respected. This is fundamental to the achievement of climate justice, at both the national and international level, according to the minister.

The COP28 started on November 30 and ended on December 12.