Energy crisis helps South Africa beat climate goal

A South African government adviser says the country's energy crisis means it is "unintentionally" ahead of its target for cutting emissions of greenhouse gases.

Crispian Olver, the head of South Africa's Presidential Climate Commission, made the comment in a briefing in Johannesburg.

The country is the world's 14th biggest emitter of climate-warming gases.

Regular breakdowns of the coal-fired power plants that supply more than 80% of South Africa's electricity mean that less carbon dioxide is being pumped into the atmosphere.

Daily rotational power cuts of more than 10 hours a day are further limiting emissions from factories.

South Africa's president has declared a state of disaster to try and deal with a crippling and unprecedented energy crisis.

This article originally appeared on BBC News

Photo: AFP