Taking Action on Climate Change
Long-term mitigation scenarios for South Africa
by Harald Winkler


NEW PUBLICATION FROM UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN PRESS


Dr Harald Winkler is an internationally renowned expert on climate change, based at the Energy Research Centre at the University of Cape Town. In 2007 he was approached by South Africa’s Department of the Environment to head a project to research and develop scenarios that would form the basis for a national, long-term climate policy as well as well-founded positions for international negotiations on the future of global climate policy after 2012. This book is based on his report.

Making a just transition to a low-carbon economy and society is one of the most difficult challenges globally. In South Africa, which needs to address poverty and inequality, reducing greenhouse gas emissions presents a daunting challenge. Nonetheless, the South African government initiated a process to develop long term mitigation scenarios. These were based on rigorous research, involving a group of strategic thinkers across a wide range of stakeholders. This book describes the technical work on potential mitigation actions that built enough confidence for the South African government to set an ambitious strategic direction in mitigating climate change.

Without constraints, emissions will quadruple by mid-century, whereas science requires that they be reduced in absolute terms by then. Readers will find here an analysis of a wide range of detailed mitigation actions and proposals for four strategic options that South Africa can pursue.

Dr Harald Winkler is Associate Professor at the Energy Research Centre, University of Cape Town. He is also the lead author on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Working Group III for the Fourth Member of the South African delegation to the negotiations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Most recently he is the author of Cleaner Energy, Cooler Climate (HSRC Press, 2008).


Publication details:
Available: December 2009
ISBN: 978 1 91989 525 3
Dimensions: 228 x 152mm
Page extent: 244 pages
Binding: Soft cover + CD
Price: R280.00


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