South Africa can't afford to take on any binding emission reduction targets at a UN climate change conference in Copenhagen next month, the South African Press Association cited the South African Environment Minister Buyelwa Sonjica as saying on Thursday.

Sonjica told journalists in Cape Town that South Africa's expectations for the outcome of Copenhagen are informed by " national interests and strategic priorities".

"South Africa is a developing country with huge developmental challenges and needs carbon space in order to meet our developmental needs.

"We cannot afford to take on any binding emission reduction targets. Expectations for the outcome of conference on Copenhagen are informed by our national interests and our strategic priorities."

Sonjica said South Africa needed global reductions in greenhouse gas emissions to ensure the impacts of climate change did not undermine development in areas such as health, job loss, droughts and floods.

South Africa has an energy intensive economy and in order to transform to a clean energy one needs access to international finance and technology, she said.

Low carbon and clean technology development and innovation are areas where South Africa can benefit from international participation.

"Given South Africa's social and economic inequalities and developmental challenges, its vulnerability to the impacts of rising global temperatures, it is crucial to secure a fair outcome in Copenhagen," he said.

Sonjica said South Africa is cautiously optimistic about a deal emerging from the talks.

"South Africa has consistently indicated its willingness to contribute to global action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions within the framework of developed countries' historical responsibility for current emissions and a common responsibility by all for the future," he said.