South Africa’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions by 2030, in line with global commitments to limit temperature increases, is expected to bring new investments and jobs.
The country also needs to protect jobs in sectors that may be threatened by changes necessitated by meeting global carbon emission reductions.
This was the message from President Cyril Ramaphosa when he addressed the National Assembly during the Budget Vote of The Presidency.
He reiterated that the country would continue to pursue its commitment towards lowering carbon emissions in a just manner while resolving the energy crisis.
“We need to do this to prevent the worst effects of climate change, including illness, droughts, floods and other disasters. We also need to protect jobs in sectors of our economy that have to decarbonise to remain globally competitive.
“Where it may be necessary to delay the decommissioning of coal-fired power stations temporarily to address our electricity supply shortfall, any decision will be informed by a detailed technical assessment of the feasibility of continuing to operate older plants and the cost of doing so relative to alternative energy sources,” he said.
The transition from a high to low-carbon emitting economy is expected to hurt some 100 000 jobs in the mining sector alone.
However, government has committed to a Just Energy Transition which will leave no community behind.
In this regard, Ramaphosa said growth in the renewable and alternative energy sector was expected to bring new investments and new jobs in sectors from electric vehicles to solar installation.
