The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change conference will be hosted in South Africa later this year, putting pressure on the South African government to finalise some of its long awaited environmental policies.

The BRIC members have all signed the Kyoto Protocol, a blueprint to reduce carbon emissions. Brazil, China, India and South Africa played a leading role in drafting the Copenhagen Accord at the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change meeting in the city in 2009. South Africa has pledged to cut emissions by 34%, Brazil by 38,9%, Russia and India by 25% and China by 45%. Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan last year introduced an emissions tax of 0,6% -4,1% on all new vehicle sales as the first step towards achieving SA’s targets and in December the National Treasury issued the carbon tax discussion document (pdf).