The Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change aims to curb the air pollution blamed for global warming. It came into force on 16 February 2005, seven years after it was agreed. The accord requires countries to cut emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. About 141 countries, accounting for 55 percent of greenhouse gas emissions, have ratified the treaty, which pledges to cut these emissions by 5.2 percent by 2012. Read the full document.

A regulation under Section 25 of the National Environmental Management Act establishing the Designated National Authority (DNA) was gazetted on 24 December 2004 by Martinus van Schalkwyk, the minister of the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism. The regulation established the DNA within the Department of Minerals and Energy and provides the DNA with its legal mandate to oversee the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) in South Africa.

The CDM was established in December 1997 by the Third Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The CDM allows industrialised countries with emission-reduction commitments to meet part of their commitments by investing in projects in developing countries that reduce greenhouse-gas emissions while contributing to the local sustainable development needs of the host country. To allow CDM projects to occur, host countries need to designate national authorities to evaluate and approve the operation of CDM projects in their country.

South Africa has established a Designated National Authority to fulfil this function as well as other functions related to the successful implementation of the CDM in South Africa, including the promotion of investment in CDM projects.