Just Energy Access and Transition roundtable discussion

Thank you to our Program Director Ms. Krivani Pillay and our facilitator for the discussions Dr Ngobile Xaba.

Dumelang [Good Morning] to our distinguished guests representing government departments, members of the diplomatic Corps, private sector, civil society, think tanks, research and academic fields, community groups and foundations.

Welcome my Brother Special Adviser to the Secretary-General Assistant Secretary-General Selwin Hart.

Thanks also to my UN family present today.

Excellencies, friends, ladies, and gentlemen,

Access to reliable, affordable and sustainable energy is a fundamental human right.

It is the driving force behind socio-economic progress and wellbeing, enabling education, healthcare, economic opportunities, and a better quality of life.

Post 1994 in our beloved rainbow nation, millions of South Africans accessed power in their homes for the first time.

Unfortunately, many people in townships, informal settlements and rural areas are still deprived of reliable and affordable energy sources, hindering their ability to flourish, prosper and meaningfully contribution to the realization of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the National Development Plan

Our Roundtable discussion is focused on this complex challenge and exciting opportunity: Raising the Game and Acting Now on Just Access and Transition to Energy so as to leave no one behind.

Our focus and thoughts are to ensure we can keep the lights on for all whilst also responsibly and justly transitioning towards a low carbon and inclusive economy.

We are not the first to convene on this topic and we certainly will not be the last.

But – as the UN family in South Africa – we seek to ensure there is a mutual understanding and aligned action – across sectors and stakeholders – of the JUST component of the transition.

If we reach such a consensus, then this is a considerable guardrail for the Just Energy Transition process in South Africa.

In addressing the JUST component of the energy transition, we must recognise the importance of inclusivity and equity.

The JUST component is about bridging the energy divide and ensuring that everyone, regardless of their socio-economic background, has access to clean, affordable, and sustainable energy.

It above all means moving along the transition process and emerging from it with access to work, health education, security and a deep sense of empowerment.

This essentially means leaving no one behind as we work towards a greener and more sustainable future.

Bridging this energy divide and ensuring a just transition requires adequate financing, a collective effort and a shared understanding.

Therefore, a multi-stakeholder and multi-sectoral approach is non-negotiable.

From government, international partners, industry, civil society, labour unions, to academia, to community leaders and private sector – we must all come together and align our understanding of what "JUST" means in the context of energy access and transition.

Moving toward a consensus on the signposts that will guide our actions.

Through international standards and frameworks, the United Nations provides guidance on how to ensure that the energy transition is equitable and inclusive.

The United Nations Secretary-General, in his efforts to promote just and sustainable development, has spoken extensively on this matter.

In November last year he reiterated the UN’s commitment to fighting the climate emergency based on what science tells us. 

The UN secretary-general called on developed countries and those with the responsibility, capacity and capability to lead the transition to a decarbonised global economy and support developing countries with finance and technology. 

The Secretary-General continued that the entire UN is fully committed to a just, fair, and equitable transition to renewable energy which is the only way to ensure energy security and access to energy for everyone, everywhere.

I want to highlight three areas that require our attention in the context of just energy access and transition:

1.  Ensuring access to affordable and clean energy for all means prioritizing the needs of vulnerable communities and marginalized groups, who are often disproportionately affected by energy poverty. This means providing social protection to the poor and most vulnerable.

2.  Promoting energy efficiency and renewable sources to mitigate climate change and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. This transition should be done in a way that safeguards the livelihoods of workers and communities associated with the fossil fuel industry.

3.  Fostering innovation and technology transfer to enable developing countries, like South Africa, to leapfrog into sustainable energy systems. This will require international cooperation and support to bridge the technological and financial gaps.

All of this will help to open up new and dynamic sectors that lead to a more diversified and greener economy, drive sustainable growth with decent jobs.

These should guide us in shaping our actions and policies to ensure that no one is left behind in this transformative journey.

As we continue to address the JUST component – we must understand and recognise South Africa's unique history; a country that has emerged from the decades long inhumane system of apartheid which has left a challenging legacy of social and economic inequality.

It is therefore crucial to address these historical injustices and strive for a future where every citizen has equal opportunities and access to energy.

Allow me to take this opportunity to laud H.E. President Ramaphosa and his cabinet as well as the Presidential Climate Commission for their commitment and leadership in advancing a just transition.

Backed by the availability of additional grant-based financing, we must integrate the just transition signposts into policies and strategies by looking at the social and economic implications of transitioning from traditional energy sources to cleaner alternatives.

We must all collectively and actively work towards creating an enabling environment that promotes social equity, job creation, and economic growth while reducing carbon emissions and environmental degradation.

I look forward to a robust, honest and meaningful discussion this morning.

I look forward to hearing your insights, exploring how we can foster collaborations, pool our knowledge, experience, and resources to develop innovative solutions that address the challenges of energy poverty, inequality, and climate change.

Your excellencies, ladies, and gentlemen, it is our hope that this discussion contributes to the paradigm shift we all seek, an opportunity to deepen our understanding of the just energy transition in South Africa and particularly access to energy.

Guided by the 2030 Agenda, the Paris Agreement, the National Development Plan and our Cooperation Framework, the UN family stands ready to accompany the government and all stakeholders on this transformative journey – a journey that values PEOPLE AND PLANET.

By doing this, we pave a way for a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable energy future.

The moment is now.

Let us seize it to inspire action, collaborate, and work towards a South Africa where energy is a catalyst for progress, justice, and shared prosperity.

I thank you. Siyabonga!