STATEMENT: South Africa Outlines Priorities for a Safe, Inclusive and Sustainable Future
WASHINGTON (September 1, 2022) -- On August 31, 2022, the Government of South Africa adopted “A Framework for a Just Transition,” which will shift South Africa towards a zero-carbon economy in ways that support national development aspirations, ensuring decent work for all, social inclusion and the eradication of poverty.
The framework was developed by the Presidential Climate Commission (PCC) over the past year in close collaboration with all major stakeholder groups, particularly those that will be most impacted by the transition. The Framework identifies the key areas that are necessary to create an equitable transition: reskilling and upskilling workers to seize the opportunities of a green economy; and building economic clusters to create new jobs and replace jobs where they may be lost.
South Africa also unambiguously reaffirms its commitment to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050—essential to keep global temperature rise to within safe levels.
The Framework provides a crucial stepping-stone toward the finalization of the $8.5 billion Just Energy Transition Partnership, expected this October. These funds, promised by five partner countries, will support South Africa to phasedown coal, accelerate renewable energy deployment, and spur innovation in green hydrogen and electric vehicles—all while improving the lives of those most impacted.
Following is a statement from Ani Dasgupta, CEO of World Resources Institute:
“Today we celebrate the formal adoption of South Africa’s Just Transition Framework—a roadmap that provides an essential foundation for all stakeholder groups to move toward an equitable, net-zero emissions economy.
“As South Africa builds upon its rich history of leadership in the global transition movement, this framework presents a shared vision for an equitable, climate resilient nation, and defines principles and policy areas to achieve this. As the framework makes clear, the transition will impact everyone in South Africa, not only those in the fossil fuel industry. This is an opportunity to address historical inequities and create an economy that benefits all by spurring innovation to boost economic competitiveness and providing social support to those unable to easily transition to new jobs and industries.
“We commend South Africa’s Presidential Climate Commission for its genuine stakeholder engagement and in-depth community consultations in developing the Framework, which delivered broad social consensus.
“The eyes of the world remain on South Africa as we await the detailed implementation plan for the $8.5 billion that had been promised at COP26 under the Just Energy Transition Partnership. With the expected finalization of the plan by COP27, we expect the South African example to continue providing a bright guiding light in the global just transition movement.”