G20 Scorecard of Fossil Fuel Funding

South Africa is identified as the second-worst performer among G20 non-OECD member countries due to a lack of transparency and continued support for fossil fuels. Total government support averaged USD 10.9 billion between 2017 and 2019, with the largest portion directed toward fossil fuel-based power. Support increased by 14% relative to the 2014–2016 average, driven largely by price support. The document highlights significant unquantified support, including billions in bailouts and loan guarantees for the state-owned utility Eskom, as well as carbon tax exemptions for major emitters like Sasol.

• South Africa is ranked as the second-worst performer among G20 non-OECD member countries, characterized by a lack of transparency and ongoing support for fossil fuel-based power, coal production, and fossil fuel consumption.
• Between 2017 and 2019, total average government support for fossil fuels was USD 10.9 billion, consisting of USD 4.9 billion in induced transfers, USD 2.3 billion in SOE investment, USD 1.8 billion in tax expenditure, USD 1.7 billion in direct transfers, and USD 235 million in public finance.
• The most significant area of support is fossil fuel-based power, which receives USD 5.7 billion annually. This includes USD 68 million specifically for water transportation projects serving the Medupi and Matimba coal-based power stations.
• Total government support for fossil fuels increased by 14% compared to the 2014–2016 average, primarily due to a 79% rise in price support. Public finance investments from the IDC, DBSA, and ECIC also rose by 13% to USD 235 million.
• Substantial financial support remains unquantified in the data, including USD 2.8 billion in bailouts (2019–2020) and loan guarantees for USD 20 billion of debt for the state-owned utility Eskom. Additionally, the 2019 carbon tax includes exemptions for major emitters, such as a 90% exemption for Sasol and 60% for others.
• South Africa lacks transparency in reporting government support for fossil fuels, with neither public finance institutions nor state-owned enterprises providing comprehensive transaction-level investment reports.

APA

Geddes, A. (2020). G20 Scorecard of Fossil Fuel Funding. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2020-11/g20-scorecard-south-africa.pdf

Chicago

Geddes, Anna. G20 Scorecard of Fossil Fuel Funding. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2020. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2020-11/g20-scorecard-south-africa.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Geddes |first1=Anna |title=G20 Scorecard of Fossil Fuel Funding |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=2020 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2020-11/g20-scorecard-south-africa.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{geddes2020g20, author = {Geddes, Anna}, title = {{G20 Scorecard of Fossil Fuel Funding}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2020}, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2020-11/g20-scorecard-south-africa.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }