Sustainable development policies and measures: institutional issues and electrical efficiency in South Africa

Abstract

An innovative approach is introduced for helping developing countries to make their development more sustainable, and also to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions as a co-benefit. Such an approach is proposed as part of the multilateral framework on climate change. The concept of sustainable development policies and measures (SD-PAMs) is outlined, making clear that it is distinct from many other approaches in starting from development rather than explicit climate targets. The potential of SD-PAMs is illustrated with a case-study of energy efficiency in South Africa, drawing on energy modelling for the use of electricity in industry. The results show multiple benefits both for local sustainable development and for mitigating global climate change. The benefits of industrial energy efficiency in South Africa include significant reductions in local air pollutants; improved environmental health; creation of additional jobs; reduced electricity demand; and delays in new investments in electricity generation. The co-benefit of reducing GHG emissions could result in a reduction of as much as 5% of SA's total projected energy CO 2 emissions by 2020. Institutional support and policy guidance is needed at both the international and national level to realize the potential of SD-PAMs. This analysis demonstrates that if countries begin to act early to move towards greater sustainability, they will also start to bend the curve of their emissions path. Une nouvelle approche au développement durable est proposée pour les pays en développement qui leur permettrait aussi de réduire leurs émissions de gaz à effet de serre. Cette approche est proposée au sein du cadre multilatéral des politiques climatiques. En ayant comme point de départ le développement, et non un objectif climatique défini, le concept de politiques et mesures de développement durable (PM-DD) se distingue clairement de beaucoup d'autres approches. Le potentiel des PM-DD est illustré en s'appuyant sur une étude de cas d'efficacité énergétique enAfrique du sud, où la consommation d'énergie du secteur industriel est calculée. Les résultats sont positifs autant pour le développement durable local que pour la limitation des changements climatiques. L'efficacité énergétique en Afrique du sud donne lieu à une réduction considérable de la pollution atmosphérique locale , l'amélioration de la santé environnementale , la création d'emplois , la réduction de la demande en électricité, et un décalage temporel sur la nécessité des investissements de production énergétique. Les avantages environnementaux associés à la réduction de GES pourraient être aussi élevés que 5% des émissions totales en CO 2 du secteur énergétique sud-africain. Un soutien institutionnel et des directions politiques claires sont souhaitables aux niveaux national et international pour mettre en oeuvre le potentiel des PM-DD. L'analyse présentée illustre que si les pays se mettent à agir tôt en matière de développement durable, leur niveau d'émissions peut commencer à baisser de façon notable.

Advertising and climate change, relationships and divergences

“…Considered jointly, SD-PAM plans focus on the whole country participating to mitigate climate change. They are not conceived rigidly and can include tax policies or regulatory measures, and companies are offered coverage by a large research platform working with integrated reports that take sustainability into account (Winkler, Howells and Baumert 2007;Roberts 2013). …”

Reducing energy poverty through carbon tax revenues in South Africa

“…Within this broader framing, earlier literature has examined what a development-climate approach might mean in terms of policy and policy instruments. Earlier studies made the case that instruments such as sustainable development policies and measures (SD-PAMs) would better frame action in developing countries [26][27][28][29][30][31]. The concept of SD-PAMs was mooted in a dialogue under the UNFC-CC [30] and, in the process of negotiations, became nationally appropriate mitigation action (NAMAs).…”

Considering technology within the UN climate change negotiations

“…By the same token, SD-PAMs can also help create an enabling environment for technology transfer. Winkler et al (2007Winkler et al ( , 2008 have explored some of the issues related to 'measurable, reportable and verifiable' in the context of SD-PAMs, but further work still needs to be done on the technology support for such measures.…”