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535 results for “energy transition in South Africa”
Clean Power for Growth
This RMI fact sheet argues that renewables and battery storage are now more effective than natural gas for supporting economic development and energy access in the Global South, offering superior reliability, deployment speed, and cost-effectiveness while avoiding the long-term financial and security risks associated with gas infrastructure.
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Document type: Fact sheet
Budget 2023: Rebuild Eskom and state capacity
The Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) issued a statement on February 21, 2023, arguing that South Africa's national budgets and monetary policies have systematically undermined the government's developmental goals. The IEJ calls for a shift away from debt stabilisation and austerity toward a development-focused budget that prioritises public investment in infrastructure, the care economy, and the green economy, while specifically addressing the crisis at Eskom and the inadequacy of social protection grants.
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Document type: Statement
Chapter 1.p65
This document is an acknowledgments page for a book regarding restorative justice practice in South Africa, noting the funding and personnel involved in the research.
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Document type: Report
case-no-1322_21-confirmatory-affidavit-yolan-friedmann-ba40c3f894058d40.pdf
A confirmatory affidavit signed on April 22, 2021, by Yolan Friedmann, Executive Director of the Endangered Wildlife Trust, confirming the allegations made in a founding affidavit by Nkwane Elton Thobejane in a case before the High Court of South Africa Mpumalanga Division.
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Document type: Statement
Introducing Electric Vehicles to Southern Africa: A Systemic Innovation Approach Towards a Green New Deal
This policy briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs argues that the electric vehicle (EV) revolution presents Southern African states with an opportunity to transform their economic trajectories through a systemic innovation approach. It advocates for a 'just e-volution' that integrates the mining, automotive, and energy sectors to move toward a low-carbon economy, specifically suggesting a 'Green New Deal' for the SADC region to avoid becoming a dumping ground for obsolete internal combustion engine technology.
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Document type: Policy brief
How to Implement Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Options
This guide provides an overview of the necessity and implementation of a transport modal shift in South African cities, moving commuters from private vehicles to public or non-motorized transport to reduce carbon emissions and congestion.
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Document type: Guide
Submission on the Climate Change Bill
Natural Justice submitted a statement expressing deep concern that the South African Climate Change Bill fails to address the urgency of the climate crisis, lacks ambitious emission targets, and omits necessary funding and capacity-building for implementation.
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Document type: Statement
LIFE AFTER COAL CAMPAIGN - ESKOM’S NON-COMPLIANCE WITH OBLIGATIONS TO PROTECT HUMAN HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT REMAINS A MATERIAL LIABILITY
A letter from the Life After Coal Campaign to the Chairman of Eskom's Board of Directors, arguing that Eskom's reliance on coal-fired power is economically unsustainable and creates severe liabilities regarding human health, water, and the environment.
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Document type: Statement
poweringdevelopmentspreads08-07-0a036dc2905cbded.pdf
This report by the Public Affairs Research Institute analyzes the financial and operational crisis facing South African municipal electricity distribution and proposes integrating existing rooftop solar PV and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) as a pathway to reduce bulk costs and improve reliability.
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Document type: Report
Ein Jahr mit bescheidener regulatorischer Klarheit, aber jedes bisschen hilft (EN)
The report analyzes the challenges and institutional developments facing Africa's green technology transition in 2025. It highlights the impact of tightening global trade rules, such as the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism and the uncertainty surrounding the US African Growth and Opportunity Act, alongside the withdrawal of the US from the Paris Agreement. The document details continental efforts to mobilize climate finance, integrate regional power markets, and adopt AI for climate action, while emphasizing the need for affordable decarbonization finance to prevent the marginalization of smaller African firms.
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Document type: Report
5 Reasons the US Should Cut its GHG Emissions in Half by 2030
This briefing by the World Resources Institute argues that the United States should set a greenhouse gas emissions-reduction target of 50% below 2005 levels by 2030. The document outlines how such a target is achievable through a combination of federal and local action, would stimulate economic growth and job creation, and is necessary to maintain international leadership and meet global warming limits of 1.5 degrees C.
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Document type: Briefing
Enhancing Nationally Determined Contributions across the SADC Region
This policy brief by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) provides guidance and lessons for Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states on enhancing their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). It emphasizes the need for inclusive stakeholder engagement, alignment with long-term development goals, and the use of quantifiable targets and evidence-based analysis to increase climate ambition and ensure effective implementation.
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Document type: Policy brief
Split Transition: BRICS Breaks Renewable Records and Fossil Records Too
The BRICS nations experienced a record-breaking expansion of power capacity in 2025, characterized by a simultaneous surge in both fossil fuel and renewable energy installations. While solar and wind additions reached historic highs, primarily driven by China and India, fossil fuel capacity also saw its largest net annual increase on record. This 'split transition' is marked by a trend where coal capacity continues to grow even as coal-fired generation declines in leading nations due to the rapid scaling of renewables.
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Document type: Report
Message to the P4G Summit
Ember's message to the 2021 P4G Seoul Summit emphasizes that achieving 100% clean power is a prerequisite for global carbon neutrality by 2050, citing the International Energy Agency's (IEA) Net Zero by 2050 report.
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Document type: Statement
ELECTRIC VEHICLES Market Intelligence Report 2025
The 2025 Electric Vehicles Market Intelligence Report by GreenCape identifies four primary investment opportunities in South Africa's EV sector: passenger vehicles, buses, freight and logistics, and last-mile delivery. While the market is growing—marked by the first time annual passenger EV sales exceeded 1,000 units—it faces significant barriers including high import duties, regulatory uncertainty, and electricity grid constraints. The report highlights a shift toward innovative financing like Electric-Vehicle-as-a-Service (EVaaS) and the introduction of manufacturing tax incentives effective March 2026 to stimulate local production.
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Document type: Report
Critical minerals as an observatory for evolving forms of trade cooperation
This research paper examines the evolving landscape of critical minerals diplomacy, arguing that current multilateral trade rules are insufficient to balance the economic security needs of consuming nations with the industrialization goals of resource-rich developing countries. The author analyzes the rise of non-binding sectoral partnerships and plurilateral initiatives led by developed nations, warning that these may reinforce power asymmetries. The paper proposes utilizing the World Trade Organization (WTO) or regional groupings as more neutral platforms to establish a rules-based system that supports sustainable sourcing and domestic value addition in producer economies.
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Document type: Research paper
our-climate-our-say-zulu-6e8ac5c6a84b56ff.pdf
This guide, published by Friends of the Earth International, explains the causes and impacts of climate change, emphasizing the disproportionate responsibility of wealthy industrialised nations and the severe risks faced by Africa. It criticizes government failures driven by corporate interests and proposes a systemic transition toward renewable energy and sustainable food systems.
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Document type: Guide
How much will it cost?
This guide from the World Resources Institute explains the importance and methodologies of estimating the costs of implementing Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). It outlines how costing helps governments identify financing gaps, select financial instruments, and integrate climate commitments into national fiscal policies, while highlighting the challenges of data gaps and uncertainty.
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Document type: Guide
Hamba Kahle Tata Madiba 1918-2013
A condolence statement from the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) honoring the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela following his passing in 2013.
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Document type: Statement
How can African states benefit from the EU Critical Raw Material Act and the UK Critical Minerals Strategy
This policy brief analyzes the EU Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) and the UK Critical Minerals Strategy (CMS), evaluating their potential to support African industrialization. It argues that both frameworks are primarily driven by domestic energy and economic priorities, focusing on reducing dependency on China and mitigating geopolitical risks. The author contends that current capital allocations and the emphasis on domestic processing capacity are insufficient to attract private investment for African value addition and beneficiation, suggesting a need for a shift in political and commercial relations to align with African industrialization goals.
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Document type: Policy brief