**South Africa has committed to reducing its carbon emissions by 34% by 2020, but says it will need financial aid from developed countries to do so.**The announcement was made as the world climate talks start in Copenhagen.
The country’s greenhouse gases mainly come from the energy industry which uses coal and the government says it is looking at other energy sources.
Poor people should be cushioned against the effects of climate change, South Africa said.
South Africa said it would lower its carbon emissions to 34% below current expected levels by 2020 and about 42% below current trends by 2025.
“This undertaking is conditional on firstly, a fair, ambitious and effective agreement… and secondly, the provision of support from the international community, and in particular finance, technology and support,” the South African statement said.
The presidency said developing countries such as South Africa would need financial help from developed economies; some of the aid would be used to acquire the technology needed to reach its target.
This offer was the first quantification of how South Africa plans to reduce its carbon footprint, the country’s chief climate negotiator Alf Wills told Reuters news agency.