Billions in climate finance face potential siphoning, while unchecked waste burning jeopardizes emission targets.
South Africa’s push for $8 billion in annual climate finance by 2030, outlined in its Draft Second Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), is jeopardized by corruption risks and rampant illegal waste burning, threatening global climate commitments.
The NDC, published July 30, targets renewable energy and adaptation but lacks robust enforcement against unregulated burning, which spews untracked greenhouse gases, compromising business carbon offsets.
Experts estimate 10–15% of funds, $800 million to $1.2 billion annually, could vanish due to corruption, given South Africa’s spotty governance record and local capacity gaps noted in the NDC.
The Climate Change Act mandates transparency, but weak enforcement and unchecked waste fires raise doubts.
With public comments due by Aug. 29, stakeholders demand stronger anti-corruption measures and waste regulation to protect funds and ensure South Africa meets its 2030 emissions targets, critical for global climate goals.
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