With the mounting risk of environmental degradation facing the world, the need for a clean green economy has topped the priority list of reforms.
The aim is to achieve a net zero emission rate by 2050. However, this may be delayed by political unwillingness, including that of the government of South Africa. Political unwillingness could be defined as the inability of the government or ruling party to turn away from corruption and promote policies in the public’s interest.
In June 2021 the German government pledged up to 200 million euros in support of green hydrogen projects in South Africa. Studies show that green hydrogen is a solution for South Africa’s mounting energy and environmental challenges.
However, the proposal to abort thermal power and achieve reliable clean energy has received a backlash from Mineral Resources and Energy minister Gwede Mantashe. He described the transition as ‘breathing clean air in darkness’. More resistance was expressed by Ntokozo Ngcwabe, a deputy director general of mineral resources. She called the proposal “financial bullying” from Western countries. Arguably, this counter-attack would be comprehensible if South Africa was not facing an energy crisis. Gwede Mantashe justifies his support for thermal power by saying that a green transition may lead to job losses, economic deterioration, and costlier electricity. Still, his argument does not take into account the economic damage and unemployment caused by load-shedding, while electricity tariffs are on an all-time hike. Moreover, what he refers to as a just transition from high carbon emissions to low carbon emissions is an objective that was supposed to be achieved by 2020, according to the 2009 Copenhagen climate change negotiations. However, in 2022 this transition has still not been achieved. With the current state of Eskom and the rolling blackouts the country endures, a green energy transition should be introduced more urgently than ever.
Load-shedding has been central to the declining economy of South Africa, with an estimated R59 billion damage to the economy in 2019. Another source suggests that the country has lost an estimated R1 275 trillion to load-shedding since 2019. Consequently, load-shedding has cost the country an economic expansion of up to 25%.
As the state of Eskom is deteriorating, the economic decline of South Africa is worsening. Eskom’s challenges tend to have a domino effect, from the unreliable energy supply to a declining economy and additional environmental and health challenges. Thus, the health sacrifice endured by South Africans in breathing contaminated air is in vain. It is not compensated for by a reliable energy supply. Apart from this, citizens are further burdened by rising electricity tariffs leading to high food prices, which unfortunately affect most households in South Africa.
Undoubtedly, South Africa needs energy reform to curb these current problems and achieve net zero greenhouse emissions. However, the lack of political will by minister Mantashe not only delays a green transition but keeps the country in an energy crisis that is destroying the economy. Much of such unwillingness can be traced to ignorance and the vested interest of politicians. The minister’s push for thermal power is problematic, it will lead to bad outcomes. Thus, collective effort from non-state actors and civil society remains key to achieving an energy transition in South Africa.
The views of the writer are not necessarily those of the Daily Friend or the IRR.