The G7, South Africa and the Sustainable Climate Agenda for Africa

This research paper examines the intersection of the G7's climate and energy agendas with South Africa's role as a representative for African interests. It analyzes the outcomes of the Italian G7 presidency, including the Energy for Growth in Africa Initiative and the Mattei Plan, while highlighting tensions over 'green protectionism' and the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities (CBDR-RC).

• South Africa is the world's 17th largest emitter of greenhouse gases, producing 534.53 million tonnes in 2022. While it aims for net-zero by 2050 and has set 2030 emission reduction targets between 350-420 megatons, the government has admitted these 2030 goals are unlikely to be met.
• South Africa's energy transition is constrained by its reliance on coal, which employs approximately 90,000 people. The estimated cost for the transition over the next five years is 98.7 billion US dollars, while the Just Energy Transition Partnership has committed approximately 12 billion US dollars to date.
• South Africa and other African nations view the European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) as a form of 'green protectionism' that violates World Trade Organisation rules. South Africa expects to lose roughly 110 million US dollars in annual export revenue from impacts on aluminium, iron, and steel.
• The Italian G7 presidency introduced the Energy for Growth in Africa Initiative to develop clean energy infrastructure and attract private capital. This is complemented by the Mattei Plan for Africa, which includes a 5.5 billion euro financial commitment, with 3 billion euros sourced from Italy's Climate Fund.
• The G7 is seeking to diversify critical mineral supply chains, which is significant as Africa holds 30 per cent of global reserves. However, some African capitals perceive these Western efforts as a means to exclude China, leading the African Development Bank to develop a critical (green) minerals strategy to maintain agency.
• There is a disconnect between G7 outcomes and African priorities regarding financial responsibility. The G7 communiqué ignored the 'common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities' (CBDR-RC) principle and provided no specifics on how it would evolve the international financial architecture, despite calls from 49 African parliamentarians for debt restructuring and reform.

APA

South African Institute of International Affairs (2024). The G7, South Africa and the Sustainable Climate Agenda for Africa. https://saiia.org.za/research/the-g7-south-africa-and-the-sustainable-climate-agenda-for-africa/

Chicago

South African Institute of International Affairs. The G7, South Africa and the Sustainable Climate Agenda for Africa. 2024. https://saiia.org.za/research/the-g7-south-africa-and-the-sustainable-climate-agenda-for-africa/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=South African Institute of International Affairs |title=The G7, South Africa and the Sustainable Climate Agenda for Africa |date=27 August 2024 |url=https://saiia.org.za/research/the-g7-south-africa-and-the-sustainable-climate-agenda-for-africa/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{southafricaninstituteofinternationalaffairs2024south, author = {{South African Institute of International Affairs}}, title = {{The G7, South Africa and the Sustainable Climate Agenda for Africa}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2024}, month = aug, url = {https://saiia.org.za/research/the-g7-south-africa-and-the-sustainable-climate-agenda-for-africa/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }