presidential climate commissionlatest news & developments
Women are disproportionately affected by climate impacts and economic exclusion. Photo: David Harrison/M&G

Presidential Climate Commission outlines people-centred just transition for 2026–2030

Commissioners emphasise a people-centred just transition, focusing on rural communities, workers and climate-resilient economic planning

5 min read
Komati Power Station decommissioned after serving for 60 years. The shutdown took place on 31 October 2022. The power plant will be converted into a renewable generation site powered with 150MW of solar, 70MW of wind and 150MW of storage batteries.

UPDATED: Komati illustrates the human cost of South Africa’s energy transition

What should have been a model for climate action has become a cautionary tale of what happens when communities are excluded from decisions that reshape their lives

  • Eyaaz
6 min read
The just transition cannot become another chapter in South Africa’s long history of missed opportunities

Climate change: Prospects for women in 2035 in a ‘business as usual’ scenario

Lebogang Mulaisi of the Presidential Climate Commission used AI to generate this projection for South African women in the just energy transition based on the commission’s research indicators

  • Eyaaz
4 min read
The Pretoria high court has overturned the government’s plans to add 1 500 megawatts of new coal-fired power to the national grid. (Guillem Sartorio/AFP)

Climate Change Act: Key preparations underway for implementation

However, the legislation is legally complicated, environment minister says

  • Sheree Bega
2 min read
South Africa needs to change its top-down approach, consult communities and fast track the delayed Integrated Energy Plan

SA’s progress on climate and just transition hindered by incoherent policies, weak governance and inconsistency

The Presidential Climate Commission’s new report says progress is not happening at the pace and scale required This content is restricted to registered users and subscribers. Get Your Free Account The Mail & Guardian is committed to providing all our readers with the best possible experience. Please register your free account now. Your registration is your first step to becoming an M&G community member. Register Registration enables: – M&G newsletters access – notifications – the best possible experience Already registered? Login here Want to subscribe and get even more benefits? Explore our subscription offers

  • Sheree Bega
1 min read
President Cyril Ramaphosa has laid strong foundations for the G20. Photo: Dwayne Senior/Getty Images

Ramaphosa signs crucial Climate Change Bill into law

The Climate Change Act is the country’s first comprehensive piece of legislation to encourage the development of an effective climate change response

  • Sheree Bega
5 min read
President Cyril Ramaphosa said the uncertainty of the new trading regime had already harmed the country’s economy

Ramaphosa: Just energy transition will need R1.7 trillion

President Cyril Ramaphosa said South Africa aims to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 but that will require finance and partnerships

  • Eyaaz
2 min read
(Paul Botes/M&G)

The climate change bill must be signed into law as a matter of urgency

South Africa is a country with serious climate risks, and the bill would be a crucial step in response to these

  • Des Erasmus
5 min read
Eskom chief executive Dan Marokane says coal is important for the country to drive industrialisation. (Getty Images)

Eskom’s decision to keep coal plants running until 2030 could cost R90 billion

The Presidential Climate Commission has warned that South Africa risks missing emission target deadlines amid postponed coal phaseout

  • Umamah Bakharia
3 min read
Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa. (Leon Sadiki/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

New energy plan sends mixed signals to investors

The draft IRP 2023 scales back renewable projects viewed as a key source of economic growth

  • Eyaaz
7 min read
Preparing the workforce for a just energy transition requires a fundamental rethink of how education and training are approached. Photo: Dwayne Senior/Getty Images

South Africa needs R334 billion a year to fully transition to renewable energy

Climate finance is expected to be a big talking point at COP28, as developing countries ask developed nations to pay up This content is restricted to registered users and subscribers. Get Your Free Account The Mail & Guardian is committed to providing all our readers with the best possible experience. Please register your free account now. Your registration is your first step to becoming an M&G community member. Register Registration enables: – M&G newsletters access – notifications – the best possible experience Already registered? Login here Want to subscribe and get even more benefits? Explore our subscription offers

  • Eyaaz
1 min read

United position needed on future of Komati

Residents say different messages from ministers have cast doubt on the country’s just energy transition

  • Eyaaz
3 min read