Don't leave workers behind in the green transition: South African President. July 15, 2024

South Africa has one of the most abundant renewable energy potentials in the world / Photo: Getty Images.

By AFP - Agence France Presse

Don't leave workers behind in the green transition: South African President.

Pretoria, July 15 (AFP) July 15, 2024

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday reaffirmed the coal-dependent nation's commitment to switching to renewable energy but insisted that communities and workers must not be left behind.

Africa's most industrialized economy is one of the world's biggest emitters of greenhouse gases, relying on coal for 80% of its electricity generation. Fossil fuel is the foundation of the economy, employing more than 100,000 people.

"In reality, we are facing a climate challenge of emergency proportions," said Ramaphosa at a meeting of government officials and international supporters aimed at taking forward plans to transition to a more climate-friendly economy.

However, "it is critical that the transition to a low-carbon economy is fair and inclusive and that no worker or community is left behind," he said.

South Africa will decarbonize at "a pace and scale that is affordable for our economy and society," Ramaphosa said at the event, which was attended by diplomats, climate scientists and financiers.

Acting too quickly, before alternatives are ready, risks damaging large sectors of the economy, he said.

In 2021, rich nations endorsed South Africa's plans to phase out coal in an $8.5 billion plan that also aims to mitigate the socio-economic impact of the transition by supporting coal workers who lose their jobs.

In 2022, the World Bank provided $497 million in financing to decommission one of its largest coal-fired power plants and convert it to renewable energy.

But there has been some reluctance to move away from coal, including within Ramaphosa's African National Congress, which has a long history of supporting the unions that represent mine workers.

Jobs are a crucial factor in South Africa, where the unemployment rate is above 30%.

Meanwhile, the country has been hit hard by insufficient electricity supplies. The aging and poorly maintained infrastructure of the state-owned electricity company caused major power cuts, with up to 12 hours without power a day in some parts of the country last year.

In recent years, South Africa has opened up to private investment to establish a competitive electricity market, with green hydrogen and wind power promoted as alternatives.

In his speech, Ramaphosa highlighted carbon taxes levied on companies as an important incentive for investment in cleaner technologies.

He said the government was investing in recycling programs to mitigate job losses resulting from the green transition and to support small businesses.