Johannesburg, 1 March 2019 — In response to news that Eskom has decommissioned three units of Hendrina power station in Mpumalanga, Greenpeace Africa’s Senior Climate and Energy Campaign Manager, Melita Steele, has said:
“Despite not having a clear plan for a just transition that will protect coal workers, shutting down units of dirty coal-fired power stations is the first clear display of action South Africa has taken against climate change and the air pollution crisis. This needs to be followed through with steps that will ensure a just transition away from coal and towards clean, renewable energy production as further units are decommissioned, in line with our international commitments to the Paris Agreement.
“Greenpeace Africa urges President Ramaphosa to ensure that his words about a just transition are not merely an electioneering tactic. It is imperative that government ensures that plans have been made to protect South Africa’s vulnerable economy during the transition away from coal by creating decent, sustainable jobs for vulnerable coal workers.”
Contact details:
Chris Vlavianos, Greenpeace Africa Communications Officer
[email protected]
079 883 7036