04 November, Johannesburg – Tonight, on the eve of the commencement of the twenty-seventh United Nations Climate Change Conference, President Ramaphosa released the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) Investment Plan for discussion.
In response, Greenpeace Africa’s Climate and Energy Campaigner, Nhlanhla Sibisi said:
“While there is much left to be desired from the consultation process for the investment plan, Greenpeace Africa welcomes any momentum on facilitating a just transition. It remains our best hope for a just and equitable future, and is the best and most immediate solution to South Africa’s youth unemployment and energy crises. South Africa has not yet begun to tap into its massive potential for renewable energy.
“Civil society and local communities have had limited opportunities for input into the JET – Investment Plan (IP). This must not be the case going forward. Government must prioritise ensuring that the very practical examples and demands of local people in the affected areas, and women in particular, are integrated and embedded in the plan. This will enable the plan to support government efforts to negotiate a larger grant proportion of finance in the transactions that respond to the JET-IP.
“Greenpeace Africa urges the government to manage the just transition in an inclusive and transparent manner. South Africa must remain resolute in achieving its climate commitments and holding other countries accountable to their own. A transition toward a low-carbon economy not only presents an opportunity to take climate action, but also provides a fast and affordable way to stabilise our ailing energy utility, ” ended Sibisi.
ENDS
Notes to the editor
[1] Greenpeace Africa reacts to the announcement of the Just Energy Transition Partnership here.
[2] EU Commission announcement of South Africa Just Energy Transition Partnership here
[3] South Africa’s Just Energy Transition Investment Plan (2023-2027) here.
Contact details
Greenpeace Africa Press Desk: [email protected]
Chris Vlavianos, Greenpeace Africa Communications Officer: +27798837036, [email protected]