On Monday Greenpeace announced that South Africa can reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by over 200 million tonnes annually by 2050, and all without damaging the economy’s growth.  All this achieved by using energy more efficiently and increases wind and solar power production.

"Hopefully, South Africa will develop a home-grown industry and export the technology," said Smith, campaign director for Green peace’s new Johannesburg-based Africa office.

Copenhagen is the location later this year for 190 nations to meet to discuss and draw up a draft on how to fight climate change. Developing countries are thought to be one of the hot topics due to their contribution to global warming; however they intend to fight back. Arguing that the rich countries grew on polluting technologies and should use some of their wealth to help poor countries use clean technologies. South Africa is expected to demand that developed countries should drastically reduce their emissions and offer developing countries cash and technology.

Greenpeace have proposed South Africa should take steps to improve insulation, strict efficiency standards for electrical appliances and vehicles as well as the phasing in of the use of renewable energy.

The emphasis was on using technology already proven and available, not on promoting "drastic lifestyle changes" such as banning driving or flying, said Sven Teske, a Greenpeace International official and another co-author of the report.

"It's not science fiction," Teske said.

South Africa is the only African nation among the 20 countries that emit nearly 90% of the world's greenhouse gases.

"You need to provide what people want, but in a smart way," said Smith. "It's about smart development and smart energy."