South African Environment Minister Barbara Creecy expects the implementation plan for a R163.23 billion climate pact with wealthy nations to be finalized by the COP28 summit, starting on November 30th.
- The climate plan, known as the Just Energy Transition Partnership, aims to facilitate South Africa’s shift from coal-dependent energy to cleaner sources.
- The implementation of the plan has faced delays and opposition, primarily from politicians linked to the coal lobby and labor unions concerned about job losses. Currently, coal accounts for over 80% of South Africa’s power generation.
- The majority of the funding pledged by France, Germany, the UK, the US, and the European Union cannot be disbursed until the government formulates and finalizes the implementation plan.
- South Africa’s climate pact with several countries, including the Netherlands and Denmark, is the first of its kind. Discussions are ongoing with additional countries like Indonesia, Vietnam, and Senegal to join the partnership.
- The plan’s progress has been impacted by a power supply crisis in South Africa. The government has emphasized the importance of energy security to its foreign partners.
- While South Africa is committed to its emission reduction targets, the closure of coal-fired generation units, including those at the Camden plant, will be delayed due to ongoing power cuts and the need for uninterrupted electricity supply.