Pretoria, South Africa – July 15 South Africa’s new energy minister, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa acknowledged a setback in the country’s fight against climate change. In a candid interview with Reuters, Ramokgopa admitted South Africa will miss its 2030 emissions reduction targets set under the Paris Agreement.
However, Ramokgopa stressed the country’s unwavering commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2050. He explained South Africa is working diligently to overcome financial and logistical hurdles hindering the rollout of renewable energy projects.
“We informed our climate partners this morning that meeting the 2030 targets is highly unlikely,” Ramokgopa said. “But on a longer horizon of 2050, we remain steadfast in our commitment to net zero.”
South Africa, the world’s 15th largest greenhouse gas emitter, pledged to reduce emissions to between 350 and 420 million tonnes by 2030. This ambitious target aimed to significantly decrease emissions from the current level of 442 million tonnes.
Ramokgopa acknowledged the country’s heavy reliance on coal for electricity generation, making it the most carbon-intensive major economy globally. Years of power outages forced South Africa to prioritize energy security by increasing coal power production.
“We understand the urgency,” Ramokgopa said. “While we had to prioritize immediate energy needs, we are committed to a long-term plan to achieve net zero emissions. We are confident we can achieve this with the support of our international partners.”
South Africa is currently receiving $12 billion in funding, primarily loans, from developed nations to support its energy transition. This financial assistance is crucial for the country’s ambitious renewable energy rollout plan.
Ramokgopa outlined several key strategies to accelerate the transition to clean energy. These include streamlining bureaucratic processes for existing renewable energy projects, acquiring land necessary for grid expansion, and renegotiating contracts with power suppliers impacted by rising material costs due to the war in Ukraine.
South Africa boasts abundant solar and wind resources. The country’s success in transitioning away from coal, partially funded by international donors, is being closely watched as a potential model for assisting developing nations in achieving their climate goals.
“We recognize the slow progress so far,” Ramokgopa admitted. “We need to be more aggressive, and I am committed to leading that charge.”
