Greenpeace Africa on Panyaza Lesufi’s election to Gauteng Premier

Johannesburg, 06 October – In response to Panyaza Lesufi’s election as Gauteng Premier, Greenpeace Africa Climate and Energy Campaigner Thandile Chinyavanhu said:

“Greenpeace Africa extends its congratulations to the honourable Premier Panyaza Lesufi for his election as Gauteng Premier. As South Africa’s regional hub, Gauteng Province is responsible for 33%  of the country’s emissions and as such, has a critical role to play in facilitating a just transition and rapid decarbonisation.

“The climate crisis cannot be treated as an afterthought, but must be an integral part of the governance work carried out by the Premier’s office. The rapidly urbanising province faces increased vulnerability to the climate crisis; it is essential that these risks are adequately mitigated. 

“Greenpeace Africa urges the new Premier to champion the just transition – which has the potential to solve load shedding [1] and reduce unemployment [2] – and continue the work being carried out by the Gauteng Premier’s Office to ensure an accelerated implementation of the Overarching Climate Change Strategy [3] and Action Plan [4]. 

“This is an enormous task, and Greenpeace Africa trusts that Premier Lesufi is up to the task and prepared to prioritise addressing the climate crisis. Greenpeace Africa looks forward to engaging with the new Premier’s Office on the climate crisis during his term,” ended Chinyavanhu.

ENDS 

Notes to the editor

[1] This is according to the Meridian Economics report, Resolving the Power Crisis Part A: Insights from 2021 – SA’s worst load shedding year so far. 

[2] This is according to a 2019 Greenpeace report, Employment Effects of a Global Energy Transition.

[3] Overarching Climate Change Strategy

[4] City of Johannesburg Climate Action Plan 

Contact details

Greenpeace Africa Press Desk: [email protected] 

Chris Vlavianos, Greenpeace Africa Communications Officer, +2779 883 7036, [email protected]