South Africa鈥檚 president Cyril Ramaphosa reaffirmed Monday the coal-dependent nation鈥檚 commitment to moving towards renewable energy but insisted that communities and workers must not lose out.
Africa鈥檚 most industrialised聽economy聽is one of the world鈥檚 largest greenhouse-gas emitters, relying on coal for 80 per cent of electricity generation. The fossil fuel is a bedrock of the聽economy, employing more than 1,00,000 people.
鈥榃e are in reality facing a climate challenge of emergency proportions,鈥� Ramaphosa told a meeting of government officials and international backers aimed at pushing forward plans for transition towards a more climate-friendly聽economy.
However, 鈥業t is crucial that the transition to a low-carbon聽economy聽is just and inclusive and that no worker or community is left behind,鈥� he said.
South Africa will decarbonise at 鈥榓 pace and scale that is affordable to our聽economy聽and society,鈥櫬燫amaphosa said at the event, attended by diplomats, climate scientists and financiers.
Acting too fast, before alternatives were in place, risked damaging huge sections of the聽economy, he said.
In 2021, rich nations endorsed South Africa鈥檚 plans to wean itself off coal in an $8.5-billion plan which is also meant to mitigate the socio-economic impact of transition by supporting coal-sector workers who lose their jobs.
The World Bank in 2022 granted $497 million in financing to decommission one of its largest coal-fired power plants and convert it into renewable energy.聽
But there has been some reluctance to move away from coal, including from within Ramaphosa鈥檚 African National Congress which has a long history of support from labour unions representing mine workers.
