Details of the US$8.5billion funding South Africa is set to receive to support the move to a just transition and a climate resilient economy haven’t been made public yet. Here’s what’s clear so far.
To improve air quality, a combination of efforts is needed including reducing Eskom’s emissions, investing in cleaner sources of energy, and reducing emissions.
The state capture inquiry shows that South Africa’s parliament needs to urgently end the uncertainty about whether or not shadow directors are governed by the Companies Act.
The agency will ensure that large water users such as municipalities, public utilities and large companies continue to fund the construction and operation of the large water systems they depend on.
South Africa needs a way to incorporate active citizens within the prevailing constitutional and legal structures, so as to strengthen all levels of government.
The longer government dithers over how Eskom’s debt will be paid, the bigger the problem becomes. Whatever the decision, electricity customers and taxpayers will feel the pinch.
South Africa’s well positioned to adopt electric vehicles but this isn’t a solution in itself because the vehicles would still depend on electricity generated from carbon-emitting coal power stations.
South Africa’s Integrated Resource Plan for Electricity reflects a global trend away from nuclear energy. But the government’s actions suggest otherwise.
South Africa envisages the gradual closure of older coal plants, mostly located in Mpumalanga. Can these coal fields be turned into renewable energy hubs?