South Africa

South Africa falls five spots to 44th in this year’s CCPI, with an overall low rating. The country receives mixed ratings across the four main CCPI categories: very low in Renewable Energy, low in GHG Emissions and Climate Policy, but high in Energy Use.

Just Energy Transition Partnership shows promising signs

A Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) was announced at COP26 held in Glasgow in 2021. This partnership between South Africa, the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, and the European Union aims to decommission coal-fired power plants in South Africa. The partnership has USD8.5 billion in funding.

The CCPI country experts welcome JETP and other ongoing projects in South Africa, but they criticise that sparse details are made publicly available. The experts demand that JETP be implemented in a just way, without leaving anyone behind.

South Africa continues fossil fuel subsidies

The experts also welcome the Presidential Climate Commission. South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa established the Commission in September 2020 to oversee and facilitate a just and equitable transition towards a low-emission, climate-resilient economy.

Though the experts note the new policies in place to accelerate climate action, they criticise the government’s fossil fuel subsidies and support for fossil fuel. South Africa is among the nine countries responsible for 90% of global coal production. This is incompatible with the 1.5°C target. Overall, the experts demand a clear fossil fuel phase-out plan, more climate finance, and a just energy transition.

Key Outcomes

CCPI experts

The following national experts agreed to be mentioned as contributors for this year’s CCPI:

• Tina Schubert (Project 90 by 2030)
• James Reeler, Prabhat Upadhyaya & Nokwethaba Makhanya (WWF South Africa)