South Africa has a clear roadmap on how to respond to the problem of climate change, Water Minister Edna Molewa said on Tuesday.

A climate change response policy approved by the Cabinet last Wednesday would effectively manage inevitable climate change impacts, she told reporters in Pretoria.

The policy would also help stabilise greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level avoiding dangerous interference with the climate system.

"The policy notes that among a range of environmental constraints that are of necessity playing an increasing role in social and economic development planning, climate change represents the most urgent and far reaching challenge of our time," Molewa said.

"This policy will guide government's approach to climate change impacts and our transition to a climate resilient and low carbon economy."

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