Navigating South Africa's Geopolitical Energy Transition by 2050

The report outlines a framework for South Africa's energy transition toward 2050, promoting a 'Regenerative Prosperity' model that prioritizes ecological stewardship and well-being over unlimited growth. It identifies driving forces for change, such as shifting cultural values and civic technologies, while highlighting key uncertainties regarding geopolitical alignments and economic paradigms. The document urges a move away from growth-centric economies and 'used futures' toward inclusive governance and decentralized energy systems.

• The report advocates for a 'Regenerative Prosperity' future, which focuses on a regenerative economy characterized by shared benefits, ecological stewardship, and the prioritization of well-being over unlimited growth.
• To achieve a resilient energy future, the report emphasizes the need for transformative innovations, specifically decentralized energy systems, regenerative economies, and alternative economic models to improve resource management and governance.
• The transition is influenced by driving forces including the recognition of planetary boundaries, collaborative alliances, civic technologies, and shifting cultural values, which together challenge extractive practices.
• Significant uncertainties impacting the transition include geopolitical alignments, existing economic paradigms, and the challenge of balancing economic growth with geophysical limitations and planetary boundaries.

APA

South African Institute of International Affairs (2024). Navigating South Africa's Geopolitical Energy Transition by 2050. https://saiia.org.za/research/navigating-south-africas-geopolitical-energy-transition-by-2050/

Chicago

South African Institute of International Affairs. Navigating South Africa's Geopolitical Energy Transition by 2050. 2024. https://saiia.org.za/research/navigating-south-africas-geopolitical-energy-transition-by-2050/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=South African Institute of International Affairs |title=Navigating South Africa's Geopolitical Energy Transition by 2050 |date=22 February 2024 |url=https://saiia.org.za/research/navigating-south-africas-geopolitical-energy-transition-by-2050/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{southafricaninstituteofinternationalaffairs2024navigating, author = {{South African Institute of International Affairs}}, title = {{Navigating South Africa's Geopolitical Energy Transition by 2050}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2024}, month = feb, url = {https://saiia.org.za/research/navigating-south-africas-geopolitical-energy-transition-by-2050/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }