Pretoria: Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr. Dion George, has called on the international community to urgently accelerate efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). “We are less than five years away from our deadline to achieving the SDGs and the end of this critical decade for climate action. Yet, we are still far from our goals and action targets,” the Minister said on Tuesday.
According to South African Government News Agency, the United Nations describes the SDGs as the ‘blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all’ by addressing global challenges related to poverty, inequality, and climate change, among others, with the year 2030 set as the target to meet the goals. Addressing the Group of Twenty (G20) Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group (ECSWG) virtually, the Minister highlighted worsening poverty levels and record-high carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions last year.
Dr. George emphasized the urgent need to accelerate efforts, st
ating that South Africa has placed solidarity, equality, and sustainability at the center of its G20 Presidency. He reiterated the global commitment to the ambitious 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its goals, focusing on ending poverty and hunger, protecting the planet, achieving universal education and health coverage, and promoting decent work and sustainable economic growth.
South Africa aims to lead by example in championing a just transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient, and inclusive society. Last week, President Cyril Ramaphosa proclaimed the Climate Change Act, setting the stage for ambitious climate action domestically. The Act, effective from March 17, 2025, aims to facilitate an effective climate change response and a long-term transition to a low-carbon economy, providing a framework for climate action.
In his address, Dr. George noted South Africa’s accelerated rollout of renewable energy, contributing to the decarbonization of the country’s energy system. Additionally, the im
plementation of Expanded Producer Responsibility schemes and circular economy initiatives is improving waste management. The Minister acknowledged the immense task ahead, citing poverty, unemployment, hunger, inequality, environmental degradation, and climate change as interconnected global challenges.
Dr. George underscored the critical role of multilateralism in addressing these complexities and reaffirmed South Africa’s strong support for it. He outlined the five interrelated priorities of the Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group: Biodiversity and Conservation, Land Degradation, Desertification and Drought, Chemicals and Waste Management, Climate Change and Air Quality, and Oceans and Coasts.
These priorities are seen as essential enablers for addressing poverty, creating employment, and meeting other sustainable development goals, aligning with the overall theme of South Africa’s G20 Presidency of Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability. As a primary outcome of the G20 Presidency, South
Africa aims to explore ways to increase climate finance, critical for enabling the Just Transition and ensuring investments reach the most vulnerable.
Dr. George emphasized the need for active support for developing economies in achieving just transitions through access to low-cost finance, technology, and skills. He highlighted the global issue of air pollution and its extensive impacts on health, climate, biodiversity, ecosystems, and economic development, stressing the synergies between decarbonization and improved air quality as a key focus for the Working Group.