In order to protect livelihoods, South Africa is working to achieve a just energy transition.
The government has reaffirmed that workers and communities that are heavily reliant on the fossil fuel value chain would be involved in a number of initiatives.
Daniel Mminele, head of the Presidential Climate Finance Task Team, stressed that communities will be taken into account through a level of consultation during a virtual media conference on Thursday.
We are dedicated to ensuring that the communities and workers who stand to be most negatively impacted by the transition are a key component of the numerous programmes and policies we put in place to safeguard livelihoods.
According to Mminele, “[We are going to] ensure that the retraining and reskilling opportunities give them the tools they need to find employment in a new, greener, and more sustainable economy.
He said this while participating in a joint press conference with representatives from the European Union, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States on climate change.
An update on the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) and the completion of an investment plan to direct South Africa’s just transition were delivered in the briefing.
The United Kingdom, along with the European Union, France, Germany, and the United States, committed to mobilise an initial sum of $8.5 billion over the following three to five years to support the realisation of South Africa’s ambitious Nationally Determined Contribution through the Political Declaration issued in November 2021 to establish this partnership (NDC).
The NDC is a strategy for reducing emissions and preparing for the effects of climate change.
“Decisions that must be made are of a very broad scope.
We have no intention of rushing the processes or the lengthy stakeholder engagements that must be conducted;
instead, we will do our best to involve everyone in the process and keep them informed, according to Mminele.
Regarding how the nation intends to handle the transition, the envoys have already met with the Mpumalanga region that is the most affected.
South Africa is collaborating with the JETP secretariat on the investment plan, which charts the investments necessary to achieve an equitable energy transition.
“We intend to finish the investment plan by October, which will allow us to show meaningful progress toward achieving the partnership’s goals by COP27.
The governance framework, monitoring, and reporting procedures, according to Mminele, “will ensure that funds are utilised for the appropriate reasons.”
The Fair Transition Framework, which will be submitted to Cabinet and inform many aspects of the investment plan as well as the processes required to ensure a just transition for affected workers and communities, has also been completed by the Credentials Climate Commission.
In the upcoming months, we will discuss with important stakeholders about the investment plan, including by forming working groups in each of the priority areas with members from both the public and private sectors.
“This will guarantee that we have an investment plan that represents a shared vision for South Africa’s transformation and programme of action to accomplish our obligations to the environment and national goals.
“South Africa is still dedicated to making this cooperation successful as we move toward a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future.
We are confident that following this course will assist long-term economic growth, development, and job creation as well as long-term energy security.
The investment plan is a sizable project that supports the ambitious transformation of South Africa’s energy systems, ensuring that it is carried out in a way that is just and inclusive, according to John Murton, the United Kingdom’s COP26 Envoy and Chair of the International Partners Group.
Additionally, it will guarantee that we are able to support a procedure that enables South America develop and construct the energy it needs to accomplish its emission objectives in a way that leaves no one behind.
“The UK’s contribution to raising money for the JETP will include a guarantee.
As part of our participation, we will support a guarantee,” Murton stated.
In accordance with the nation’s NDC, he added, the UK will support the expansion of clean and dependable power in South Africa in the most cost-effective manner possible.
“All of the nations seated at the table are working to hasten the process of phasing out fossil fuels and setting more aggressive goals for 2030 and beyond.
“We are trying to support the South African government in providing ample and reliable power to help drive forward its economy and deliver the ambitious emissions reductions set out in the NDC,” Murton said.
“We are trying to mobilise funds in a way that is just and supports South Africa’s broader inclusive economic growth and leaves no one behind.”