South Africa\u2019s climate advisers are urging the government to commit to a more ambitious 2030 emissions targets by accelerating a shift away from fossil fuels.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n
In September, the government said it would <\/span>aim to reach net zero emissions by 2050<\/span><\/a> \u2014 but the plan still allows coal beyond that date.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n To achieve its 2050 goal, <\/span>president Cyril Ramaphosa set up a presidential climate change commission to advise the government on how to ensure a just transition away from coal and reduce its emissions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In its first public <\/span>report<\/span><\/a>, the commission recommended the government set a tougher target and limit its annual greenhouse gas emissions to 350-420 MtCO2 by 2030. This would deepen emissions cuts by 31% compared to South Africa’s <\/span>2015 pledge, which capped emissions at 614 MtCO2.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Its recommendations are more ambitious than what the government is currently proposing. Under a <\/span>draft 2030 climate plan<\/span><\/a>, published in March, the government said it aimed to limit its annual emissions to 398-440 MtCO2 by 2030 – a 28% emissions cut compared to the 2015 target.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The commission said <\/span>there was \u201cscope for considerably greater emission reductions\u201d<\/span> by accelerating energy efficiency measures, bringing forward the decommissioning and repurposing of coal-fired power stations as they become financially unviable and replacing them with low-carbon energy capacity.<\/p>\n It argued increased climate ambition could help unlock more financial support to help the country move away from coal.<\/p>\n Comment: <\/strong>Delivering an inclusive Cop26 in the age of Covid-19 requires more than vaccines<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n In a <\/span>statement<\/span><\/a>, Ramaphosa said he will consider the commission\u2019s recommendations, which will inform a decision on stepping up the country’s climate ambition ahead of the Cop26 climate talks.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Saliem Fakir, executive director for the Africa Climate Foundation, told Climate Home News, the new targets would make ongoing support for coal \u201cuntenable\u201d. “If adopted it will be a major breakthrough,” he said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n But three members of the 22-strong presidential commission, which includes environmentalists, trade unions and business groups, <\/span>say the proposal doesn\u2019t go far enough.<\/span><\/p>\n In a letter, seen by Climate Home News, they write: \u201cWhat is needed is zero fossil fuels in electricity generation by at least 2040 (though 2035 would be preferred); and a zero fossil fuel economy by 2050. This will mean no new fossil fuel projects come on line or are considered.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The letter calls on the commission to support a more rapid decommissioning of coal plants, recognising that some coal assets will become stranded. It adds the government should cancel a pipeline of major gas projects, including the <\/span>proposed 8400MW Nseleni floating gas power plant<\/span><\/a> in the city Richards Bay and a <\/span>3000MW gas development in Coega<\/span><\/a>, near Port Elizabeth.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Plans for a 3,300MW coal-fired power station should also be scrapped, they said.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Want more climate news?\u00a0<\/b>Sign up to get updates straight to your inbox<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n \u201cThe <\/span>commission\u2019s range is still not sufficient,\u201d Melissa Fourie, one of the authors of the letter and the executive director of South Africa\u2019s Centre for Environmental Rights, told Climate Home.<\/span><\/p>\n The letter argues for a significantly tougher climate target in line with what would be South Africa’s fair share to limit global heating to 1.5C: capping annual emissions to<\/span>\u00a0274\u2013352 <\/span>MtCO2 by 2030.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe low-hanging fruit here is the electricity sector, where we could substantially decarbonise at minimal cost,” said Fourie. “As a first step, the government should abandon its plans for new fossil fuel (coal and gas) electricity capacity.”\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Row<\/strong>\u00a0erupts at Green Climate Fund over who defines climate adaptation<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n The climate commission’s report found that South Africa will require “considerably higher levels of international financial support” to transition away from a coal-dependent energy system.<\/p>\n South Africa estimates it will need $8 billion a year from the international community by 2030 to finance its decarbonisation and adaptation efforts.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n State-owned utility Eskom, which operates most of the country\u2019s coal-fired power plants, is asking for $10bn from global lenders<\/a> to help its transition from coal to renewables.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In 2020, <\/span>Eskom\u2019s coal plants generated <\/span>86% of the country\u2019s electricity<\/span><\/a>, making South Africa the most coal-reliant country among the G20 group of nations. <\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Eskom is currently building two of the world\u2019s largest coal plants, <\/span>Medupi and Kusile, which are not scheduled to close until at least 2060. Yet, Eskom’s energy transition leader Mandy Rambharos recently told Reuters<\/a>:\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI don’t think we can look at 2050 and still see fossil fuels in there to be honest.”\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n