Rio de Janeiro: President Cyril Ramaphosa has emphasized the necessity of ensuring that the shift towards renewable energy in South Africa considers the livelihoods and job security of its citizens, amidst the country’s ongoing energy transition.
According to South African Government News Agency, President Ramaphosa made these remarks in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, during the launch of the ‘Leveraging the Potential of Renewables – The Road to Johannesburg’ campaign. This initiative, co-launched with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, aims to promote renewable energy development while addressing poverty and the climate crisis.
The campaign was unveiled during a panel discussion featuring Hugh Evans, co-founder and CEO of Global Citizen. Supported by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the Global Citizen initiative and the 2024 G20 Presidency convened over 450 global leaders and advocates on the eve of the G20 Leaders’ Summit. The summit seeks urgent solutions to combat poverty and th
e climate crisis.
President Ramaphosa highlighted the importance of a just transition that benefits ordinary people, particularly those whose jobs and livelihoods may be impacted by the move to renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydro. The President stressed the need for re-skilling workers to prevent job losses in fossil fuel-dependent regions.
In support of this transition, the Mpumalanga Provincial Government, along with the Presidential Climate Commission, the Climate Investment Fund, and the World Bank, is exploring initiatives to re-skill and upskill vulnerable workers in South Africa. This includes supporting small businesses and cooperatives in local communities, as outlined by former Mpumalanga Premier Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane in last year’s State of the Province Address.
South Africa, heavily reliant on fossil fuels, faces challenges in its renewable energy transition, with only 3% of global investments in renewable infrastructure allocated to Africa. The European Commission plans
to triple renewable energy investments by 2030, highlighting the continent’s potential for solar and wind energy.
President Ramaphosa emphasized that achieving these goals requires significant financing and collaborative efforts between African and developed nations. The 12-month campaign aims to capitalize on South Africa’s upcoming G20 Presidency to promote renewable energy investments and address inequality, providing electricity access to millions currently without it.
South Africa is preparing to assume the G20 Chairmanship from Brazil on December 1, with plans to host the G20 Summit in 2025. President Ramaphosa also discussed the importance of the 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) in ensuring a just transition with global support.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen outlined the European Green Deal’s goal of climate neutrality by 2050, emphasizing the need for global cooperation to ensure a just transition in Africa. She noted Africa’s abundance of solar and wind re
sources but highlighted the need for increased global investment in renewable infrastructure on the continent.