President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw the USA from the Paris Climate Agreement was recently frowned upon by Cabinet members.

The Agreement, which will be fully operational by 2020, is based on contributions determined by countries themselves. These contributions go towards collectively agreed global goals to reduce carbon emissions and all negative impactors of climate change.

“South Africa has called on the USA to consider its position and recommit to the multilateral process,” communications minister Ayanda Dlodlo said during a post Cabinet media briefing on Thursday.

Last week, the Department of Environmental Affairs said the international community regards climate change as the single biggest threat to the wellbeing, health and socio-economic development facing humanity this century.

“Its impacts are widespread, unprecedented and disproportionately burden the poorest and most vulnerable,” the department said.

It added that the adoption of the Paris Agreement, 15 years after the USA’s withdrawal from the Kyoto Protocol, is a victory for multilateral efforts to curb climate change.

Agreement contributions

The department said the contributions of countries which were nationally agreed upon represent each country’s best efforts to reduce the negative effects of climate change which will be progressively enhanced over time.

“It is further premised on a strong understanding that we all have a common responsibility to act, whilst noting that nations over time have contributed to the problem differently, and have varied capabilities to respond,” Dlodlo said.

The department added that the Paris Agreement represents the most flexible and dynamic approach to addressing climate change, and the withdrawal of the USA is not only an abdication of global responsibility we all have to humankind, but damaging to multilateralism, the rule of law and trust between nations.

“Historically, the USA has contributed significantly to global emissions, and therefore has a moral obligation not only to lead in reducing emissions, but to support poorer economies in contributing to the global effort.

“South Africa has full confidence in and reiterates its unwavering commitment to the realisation of the goals set out in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Paris Agreement,” the department said.

It added that the global effort to curb climate change and address its impacts cannot be postponed, and said there is an urgent need for action, and little room for renegotiation.