South Africa - Supporting South Africa national SLCP planning and implementation efforts

Rationale

South Africa faces significant challenges from short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs), including methane, black carbon, HFCs, and tropospheric ozone, which contribute to near-term warming and local air pollution. Through its Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), the country has requested support to strengthen national planning, policy, and implementation for SLCP mitigation, in alignment with its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and broader climate and air quality goals.

While South Africa has existing emission reduction targets, gaps remain in institutional capacity, inter-ministerial coordination, and technical expertise for implementing and monitoring integrated SLCP mitigation strategies. Current frameworks for reporting and mitigation are not fully aligned with international standards, and there is a need for improved emission inventories, mitigation assessments, and monitoring systems.

The project will provide technical and institutional support to DFFE to develop and implement a National SLCP Plan and a National Clean Air Action Plan, build national capacity, and facilitate stakeholder engagement. These efforts will enhance South Africa’s ability to integrate SLCP priorities into national development and climate strategies, support reporting under the UNFCCC, and attract funding for long-term mitigation measures.

Objectives

• To strengthen South Africa’s capacity to coordinate national SLCP planning, policy development, and implementation in alignment with NDC commitments and the G20 Presidency climate priorities.
• To build technical capacity among government institutions, private sector actors, and sub-national stakeholders to conduct integrated SLCP assessments, improve emission inventories, and implement mitigation strategies.
• To mainstream SLCP mitigation actions into national and sub-national climate, air quality, and development plans, ensuring robust institutional support and political buy-in.
• To raise awareness and disseminate knowledge on SLCPs, showcasing South Africa’s progress and best practices while facilitating engagement in CCAC initiatives and international events.

Activities

To achieve these objectives, the project will:

• Develop and implement a National SLCP Plan and National Clean Air Action Plan in close consultation with DFFE and other relevant ministries.
• Establish mechanisms for inter-ministerial and inter-institutional coordination on SLCP mitigation, including high-level endorsement and engagement with civil society and sub-national governments.
• Conduct technical support activities to improve SLCP emission inventories, mitigation assessments, and monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) systems.
• Deliver trainings and workshops to enhance capacity for integrated climate and air pollution management, including inventory development, mitigation planning, and tracking of SLCP reduction measures.
• Integrate SLCP mitigation priorities into sectoral, climate, and development strategies to ensure alignment with national goals and the NDC.
• Identify and support access to national and international funding for the implementation of SLCP mitigation actions, including CCAC technical assistance and grant programs.
• Develop awareness-raising materials, organize stakeholder events, and participate in national and international CCAC forums to showcase progress, share lessons learned, and highlight opportunities for technical cooperation.
• Submit periodic progress reports and a final project report documenting technical outputs, institutional engagement, and achievements in strengthening South Africa’s SLCP mitigation capacity.

Project Reference: [SA-25-001t] Supporting South Africa national SLCP planning and implementation efforts