South Africa
South Africa tried to weaken corruption safeguards in coal phase out deal, says CEO
The Eskom boss said that a “senior government minister” said it was “pragmatic” to water down corruption safeguards in a $8.5bn international clean energy deal
Coal communities fear South Africa’s clean energy transition
Almost 80% of the more than 80,000 residents working in Ermelo are employed by Eskom and Transnet, the state-owned energy and transport companies
Eskom poisoning raises fears for South Africa’s energy transition
Outgoing chief Andre De Ruyter survived an attempt on his life last month, as coal-friendly minister Gwede Mantashe took control of Eskom
As Cop27 kicks off, where are the coal to clean deals at?
Rich countries have been discussing “just energy transition partnerships” with South Africa, Indonesia, Vietnam, India and Senegal
Breakdown: Who is contributing what to South Africa’s clean energy shift
A leaked summary shows Germany and France are providing cheap loans while the UK is making the biggest contribution to mobilise private finance
South Africa approves $8.5bn energy transition investment plan
Insiders say less than 3% of the money rich countries promised is earmarked as grants, raising concerns about fairness and South Africa’s debt burden
South Africa turns to renewables, gas and batteries to end power cuts
President Cyril Ramaphosa promised to tackle the country’s frequent electricity outages by mobilising private sector investment and international support
Indonesia is learning lessons from South Africa’s tough energy transition deal talks
Talks between donor countries and South Africa on a coal-to-renewables finance deal have been slow and difficult. Indonesia wants to do things differently
No red alert was issued ahead of deadly South African floods
Experts say a communication breakdown, poor housing and inadequate infrastructure contributed to a death toll from extreme rainfall of 300 and rising
Why Shell is becoming a softer target for climate campaigners
The oil major has pulled out of a British project and paused South African exploration, as its climate targets require production to fall
South Africa $8.5bn finance package offers a model for ending reliance on coal
The package was hailed as “groundbreaking” for being country-led and addressing a need to reskill and support coal miners
On expert advice, South Africa cuts its 2030 emissions cap by a third
Africa’s biggest polluter has significantly strengthened its climate targets for this decade, as renewables increasingly out-compete coal power
South Africa proposes global goal for adaptation at pre-Cop26 ministerial
Environment minister Barbara Creecy called for quantifiable improvements in resilience to climate impacts, to give the adaptation agenda the same weight as emissions cuts
South Africa’s climate advisers urge faster shift away from fossil fuels
The climate commission has called on the government to step up its 2030 climate goal – which some advisers say will require ending new coal and gas projects
South Africa sets out to tighten 2030 emissions target
South Africa’s economy is shifting from heavy industry to service sectors, allowing for deeper carbon cuts, but coal lingers in the energy mix
South African campaigners push for faster coal exit in presidential commission
As president Cyril Ramaphosa launches an initiative to deliver net zero emissions, campaigners prepare to confront trade unions over coal
South Africa’s Ramaphosa signs carbon tax into law
In a first for an African country, the coal-heavy economy will put a price on pollution, but campaigners say it is not high enough
South Africa set to introduce long-awaited carbon tax in June
The levy will make polluters report and pay for their emissions, but experts say the starting rate is too low to spur a rapid shift to clean energy
South Africa draft climate law would set emissions targets for every sector
The bill calls on every part of government to coordinate in climate action, but South Africa’s heavy use of coal remains its biggest challenge
China signed African coal deal days before Xi low emissions pledge at G20
In the week China’s president called for development banks to support low emissions in poor countries, China Development Bank loaned $1.5bn to coal in South Africa