RESPONSE TO LETTER OF 16 JULY 2018 AND INPUT REGARDING THE JUST ENERGY TRANSITION TO A LOW-CARBON FUTURE FOR THE PEOPLE OF SOUTH AFRICA

The Life After Coal Campaign (LAC) argues that new coal-fired power plants in South Africa are irrational, costly, and contrary to international climate obligations. The campaign highlights the severe water externalities of coal, the health risks associated with the proposed Khanyisa power station, and the financial risks of stranded assets as global investment shifts away from thermal coal. LAC advocates for a just transition that prioritizes renewable energy, protects workers' livelihoods, and ensures Eskom's active role in a sustainable energy system.

• The LAC Campaign asserts that no new coal or nuclear capacity is required for South Africa's energy mix based on modelling regarding affordability, security of supply, and carbon emission reductions.
• Coal power generation and mining consume 5% of South Africa's total water, with power generation accounting for 37% of water use in the Upper Olifants catchment.
• The proposed Khanyisa power station is criticized for using inefficient subcritical technology and being one of the most greenhouse gas emission-intensive plants in South Africa, with emissions approximately 24% higher than the current Eskom fleet average.
• The LAC Campaign argues that continuing with new coal plants contradicts South Africa's commitments under the Paris Agreement and its National Climate Change Response Policy, potentially exposing the country to higher climate risks.
• Global financial trends show a shift away from thermal coal, with institutions like the Royal Bank of Scotland, HSBC, ING, BNP Paribas, and Nedbank restricting or stopping funding for new coal power plants.
• A just transition should involve a renewable energy industry structured to absorb and upskill coal workers, including community and public ownership, and the removal of barriers to small-scale renewable investments.
• The campaign recommends that Eskom increase its own renewable energy production and that the Independent System and Market Operator (ISMO) Bill be retabled to facilitate non-discriminatory access to the transmission network.

APA

Centre for Environmental Rights (2018). RESPONSE TO LETTER OF 16 JULY 2018 AND INPUT REGARDING THE JUST ENERGY TRANSITION TO A LOW-CARBON FUTURE FOR THE PEOPLE OF SOUTH AFRICA. https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LAC-letter-to-Minister-Radebe-8-Aug-2018.docx.pdf?x21779

Chicago

Centre for Environmental Rights. RESPONSE TO LETTER OF 16 JULY 2018 AND INPUT REGARDING THE JUST ENERGY TRANSITION TO A LOW-CARBON FUTURE FOR THE PEOPLE OF SOUTH AFRICA. 2018. https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LAC-letter-to-Minister-Radebe-8-Aug-2018.docx.pdf?x21779.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=Centre for Environmental Rights |title=RESPONSE TO LETTER OF 16 JULY 2018 AND INPUT REGARDING THE JUST ENERGY TRANSITION TO A LOW-CARBON FUTURE FOR THE PEOPLE OF SOUTH AFRICA |date=8 August 2018 |url=https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LAC-letter-to-Minister-Radebe-8-Aug-2018.docx.pdf?x21779 |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{centreforenvironmentalrights2018response, author = {{Centre for Environmental Rights}}, title = {{RESPONSE TO LETTER OF 16 JULY 2018 AND INPUT REGARDING THE JUST ENERGY TRANSITION TO A LOW-CARBON FUTURE FOR THE PEOPLE OF SOUTH AFRICA}}, publisher = {Centre for Environmental Rights}, year = {2018}, month = aug, url = {https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LAC-letter-to-Minister-Radebe-8-Aug-2018.docx.pdf?x21779}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }