UN South Africa commends and accompanies the country’s commitment to the just transition to a low carbon and inclusive economy

Pretoria – A high-level roundtable meeting was held in Pretoria on 5 July whose theme focused on “Raising the Game and Acting Now on Just Access and Transition to Energy to Leave No One Behind”. It provided an opportunity for a multi-stakeholder engagement involving government, labor, private sector, international partners, community-based entities, think tanks and the UN to discuss the impacts and benefits of improved affordable access to energy and the just transition that leaves no one behind.

The visiting Special Advisor to the UN Secretary-General on Climate Action and Just Transition, Assistant Secretary-General Selwin Hart, participated in the roundtable. The Special Advisor told participants that the world was watching how South Africa was implementing the Just Energy Transition, while at the same time conceding that it was going “to be a long, difficult and challenging process,” that needs to be inclusive and carefully and responsibly managed.

Affirming the  comment of one of the participants who called for more investments in the solar industry, Mr. Hart said “one of the greatest opportunities for South Africa is to invest in renewable technologies” to encourage households and small businesses to install solar energy at affordable costs.

Speaking at the same roundtable, the convener UN Resident Coordinator and Representative of the UN Secretary-General in South Africa, reminded that the “just” component of the Just Energy Transition “is about bridging the energy divide and ensuring that everyone, regardless of their socio-economic background, has access to clean, affordable, and sustainable energy”. He reiterated the understanding that "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."

In her contribution, the European Union Ambassador to South Africa, Sandra Kramer, said donor partners were bringing “in lots of loans, grants and expertise” in support of South Africa’s energy transition. This, she said, was in addition to the US$8.5 billion the country received at the COP26 from a group of Western donors.

Other speakers at the roundtable all agreed on the imperative for South Africa to transition to renewable energy, while also acknowledging the challenges and the opportunities that lie ahead.

The United Nations in South Africa is accompanying the inclusive efforts of bringing about a paradigm shift towards sustainable development and has expressed its support for the country’s strong commitment to renewable energy and the just energy transition. Prior to the roundtable, this was the message shared with the Government in a series of high-level meetings which emphasized the importance of striking a balance between energy access, affordability, reliability, security and sustainability.

The meetings between the Government and the UN were part of the ongoing discussions on the need for a whole-of-society approach to decarbonization that emphasizes a just transition that leaves no one behind in line with the Sustainable Development Goals and the National Development Plan.

Leading the discussions from the UN was the visiting Assistant Secretary-General Selwin Hart, who was accompanied by the Head of the UN in South Africa – also its Resident Coordinator – Nelson Muffuh.

In separate meetings with the Secretariats of the Presidential Climate Commission and the Just Energy Transition Partnership as well as Government ministers – including the ministers of Electricity; Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation; as well as Forestry, Fisheries and Environmental Affairs – Mr. Hart commended South Africa for the tremendous progress made thus far, demonstrating its commitment to renewable energy and the just energy transition. He noted that while it was clear the country was committed to the transition, what was also clear was that the transition has to be successful, fair and just.

For interviews and media enquiries, please contact Eunice Namugwe, UN South Africa, at namugwe@un.org, +27 71 682 8310.

Photos link to the Roundtable: https://southafrica.un.org/en/239155-un-south-africa-commends-and-accom…

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READ the JET ROUNDTABLE REPORT: Raise the Game for Just Energy Access and Transition to Leave No One Behind: HERE