After two decades of unduly prolonged negotiations that characterized the Conference of the Parties (COP) meetings, the international system only recently witnessed a substantive globally acceptable climate regime, the Paris Agreement (PA). The less legally binding and largely voluntary agreement establishes, amongst other things, a common framework for all Parties aimed at limiting greenhouse gas emissions (GHGEs) to not more than 2°C and more significantly, 1.5°C above the pre-industrial levels. Although the agreement admits that an economy driven by clean energy is indispensable to sustainable development, its demand of a rapid end to fossil fuel places a burden on South Africa to replace its coal and gas with clean energy sources. Meeting such demand, when no credible alternatives are put in place, would only exacerbate poverty for the millions of South Africans whose livelihood and businesses are largely sustained by coal-powered electricity. The objectives of this paper are to: (1) assess the Paris climate agreement and its feasibility; (2) appraise South Africa’s coal-dependent economy; (3) suggest adjustment options aimed at dealing effectively with the situation, and also providing support for the aggregate welfare of South Africans. This article adopts the ‘complex interdependence’ and ‘green’ theories.

中文翻译：

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关于气候变化和南非煤炭能源综合体的巴黎协议

在经历了缔约方大会（COP）会议的特点的长达二十年的漫长谈判之后，国际系统直到最近才目睹了全球公认的实质性气候制度《巴黎协定》（PA）。除其他事项外，具有较少法律约束力和很大程度上是自愿的协议为所有缔约方建立了一个共同框架，旨在将温室气体排放量限制在不超过工业化前水平2°C，更重要的是将其限制在工业化前水平1.5°C以下。尽管该协议承认清洁能源驱动的经济对于可持续发展必不可少，但其对快速停止使用化石燃料的需求给南非提供了用清洁能源替代煤炭和天然气的负担。在没有可靠的替代方案的情况下满足这种需求，只会加剧数百万南非人的贫困，这些人的生计和业务很大程度上依靠燃煤电力维持。本文的目的是：（1）评估《巴黎气候协定》及其可行性；（2）评估南非的煤炭依赖经济；（3）提出旨在有效应对情况的调整方案，并为南非人的总体福利提供支持。本文采用了“复杂的相互依赖”和“绿色”的理论。并为南非人民的整体福利提供支持。本文采用了“复杂的相互依赖”和“绿色”的理论。并为南非人民的整体福利提供支持。本文采用了“复杂的相互依赖”和“绿色”的理论。