South Africa’s greenhouse gas emissions increased by 14% over 2000-17

South Africa’s total greenhouse gas emissions excluding FOLU (forestry and other land use) increased by 14% between 2000 and 2017 to 513 MtCO_2eq, according to the country’s 7^th National Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventory Report. The energy sector is the largest contributor to emissions excluding FOLU (80%) and is responsible for 97% of the increase over 2000-2017. Energy industries were responsible for 61% of emissions from the energy sector in 2017. This was followed by transport (13%), other sectors (9%) and manufacturing industries and construction (7%).

In 2017, CO₂ accounted for 85% of total GHG emissions excluding FOLU, followed by methane (CH₄, 10%) and nitrous oxide (N₂0, 5%). Between 2015 and 2017, the country’s total GHG emissions excluding FOLU declined by 3%. The AFOLU (agriculture, forestry, and other land use) emissions dropped by 6% in 2017. South Africa’s total GHG emissions including FOLU increased by 10% between 2000 and 2017 to 482 MtCO_2eq.

In April 2021, the country released its updated draft Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) for public consultation. According to the document, South Africa’s GHG emissions should be limited to 398-510 MtCO_2eq in 2025 and to 398-440 MtCO_2eq in 2030. By comparison to the targets contained in South Africa’s first NDC (2015), the upper end of the target range in 2025 has been reduced by 17%, and the upper end of the target range in 2030 has been reduced by 28%.