COP27 and South Africa

After the annual UN climate change conference in Sharm el-Sheikh, we discuss the implications of South Africa’s undertaking (following COP21 in Paris in 2015) to reduce our carbon emissions by about 17% by 2030. We are the 13th largest emitter in the world, because most of our electricity comes from coal, contributing more than half of the country’s emissions. The rest is mainly caused by transport, industry, gas and diesel. Pollution and health effects at home as well as international pressure in the form of carbon taxes make change inevitable. We put a Just Energy Transition Plan on the table at COP27 which was widely lauded. How will it work? Who will pay? What about political opposition, not least from unions? So what? This episode gives a brief summary of a 216-page road map traversing a diverse and complicated field. What is clear, is that the “just energy transition” must and will happen, but it will be neither linear nor quick. The trick will be to keep an open mind and constantly improve. For more about JP, and to read his newsletter, please visit his website.