While South Africa had commendable greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction targets, and played a positive role in international climate change negotiations, implementation and action on the ground was said to be lacking.

"South Africa has the most comprehensive plan ... on how we can reduce our emissions in future, and that comes through the long-term mitigation scenario (LTMS) process and the Cabinet statement that follows. So in theory we are looking good for the future. We have played a positive role in international negotiations, we have not been afraid to talk about commitments under the post-2012 climate regime, but at the national level, implementation is lagging sadly," argued WWF South Africa climate change programme manager Richard Worthington.

Speaking at the launch of the Group of Eight (G8) climate scorecards report for 2009, Worthington noted that with its significant dependence on coal, South Africa's per capita GHG emissions were only slightly lower than industrialised countries, and well above the developing country average.

Of the Group of Five nations (G5 - including China, India, Brazil, Mexico and South Africa), South Africa has the most comprehensive long-term strategy for GHG reductions into the future. However, the action to realise these ambitions was required.

"National implementation would be greatly enhanced if we have a fair and effective international regime, that includes financial and technological support that is measurable reportable and verifiable," said Worthington.

He urged President Jacob Zuma to continue to take forward South Africa's strong stance on combating climate change - to the G8 meetings and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change meeting in September, and through to the Copenhagen meeting in December.

The South African government has outlined its strategy, however, it needed to be put into practice sooner rather than later. In July 2008, Cabinet highlighted its ambitions to "structurally transform the economy by shifting from an energy-intensive to a climate-friendly path as part of a pro-growth, pro-development and pro-jobs strategy".

"Non-annex 1 countries (that includes South Africa), emissions need to come down to about one ton a person per year of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2050, if we are to stay below 2ºC. That's the challenge," said Worthington.

A lofty goal, considering that the current average in South Africa was close to ten tons a person per year of carbon dioxide equivalent, which was higher than envisaged in the LTMS.

And emissions in South Africa were still increasing by about 30%. This compared with India, which increased emissions by 78%, although this was from a much lower base.

Per capita, and per unit of gross domestic product, South Africa's emissions were very high, and the country ranks above China and India.

"In South Africa, there are various things we could look at, policies in the long term and for the future look really good, but, our current energy development pathway, doesn't look so good," stated Worthington.

Overall, the WWF, in its climate scorecard report, in collaboration with Allianz SE, confirmed that G5 countries were undertaking action to slow emissions growth in the future, and noted South Africa's comprehensive plans.

The renewable energy and energy efficiency targets and achievements in China and India were also highlighted.