The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Western Cape noted on Wednesday that it is looking forward to the development of the regulations which will guide the rollout and implementation of the Climate Change Act.

On Tuesday President Cyril Ramaphosa signed into law the much anticipated Act, which sets out a national climate change response, including mitigation and adaptation actions.

The Act also constitutes South Africa’s fair contribution to the global climate change response.

The Presidency highlighted that the Climate Change Act enabled the alignment of policies that influenced South Africa’s climate change response, to ensure that South Africa’s transitioned to a low carbon and climate resilient economy and society was not constrained by policy contradictions.

The Act aims to strengthen coordination between national sector departments and provide policy setting and decision-making to enable South Africa to meet the commitments in Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement.

DA Western Cape Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning spokesperson Dave Bryant explained that members of the DA in the Western Cape Provincial Parliament and various municipalities were integrally involved in the development of the legislation through the submission of comments and recommendations, as well as attendance at public hearings.

Bryant said the final version of the Bill was unanimously supported by the Western Cape Provincial Parliament.

He pointed out that climate change was a significant challenge facing communities across the Western Cape and that it was essential that steps were taken to ensure adaptation.

Bryant highlighted that changes in climate would inevitably have an impact on viticulture and agriculture, noting that these industries must be protected and grown.

He said the recent floods had also shown the dangers posed by unprecedented weather events, which he noted were occurring more frequently.

Bryant explained that the DA would ensure that the Western Cape stayed ahead of the curve by implementing important adaptation measures in line with the recommendations already set out in the party’s own localised climate change strategies.

Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister Dr Dion George said the signing of the Bill marked a significant milestone in the nation's commitment to addressing climate change, highlighting that the legislation provided a comprehensive framework for climate action across society and for the economy.

"We are now poised to move forward with its implementation, As we implement the Act, we welcome the active engagement of citizens, workers and businesses, to move to low-emissions and climate-resilient development,” he said.