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Africa Observatory on Just Energy Transition

South Africa

South Africa

This section provides an overview of the regulations, laws, policies, and development funding related to Just Energy Transitions in South Africa from 2010 to the present. It aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the country's efforts towards transitioning to a sustainable energy system, including mitigation and adaptation to climate change.

Regulations

1 / Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), 2019: The IRP outlines South Africa’s energy mix strategy, projecting the reduction of coal reliance and the inclusion of 25 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030.

2 / Electricity Regulation Amendment Bill, 2023: Tabled in Parliament, this Bill aims to unbundle Eskom, create a Transmission System Operator, and establish a competitive multi-market system. It represents a significant reform in South Africa's electricity sector.

3 / South African Petroleum Industry Association (SAPIA) Regulation (July 2010): Due to disruptions caused by unrest, SAPIA had to close the SAPREF refinery temporarily. This event underscored the vulnerability of South Africa's fuel supply chain and led to regulatory actions to manage the supply and mitigate impacts on the national economy

4 / Climate Change Bill Passed by the National Council of Provinces on April 25, 2024. The Climate Change Bill ai aims to implement a unified approach to address climate change, focusing on improving adaptive capacity and resilience. It mandates that national, provincial, and local governments develop policies to manage climate risks and contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions through sectoral emission targets. The Bill outlines the responsibilities of different government levels to ensure coordinated efforts in climate change mitigation.

Policies

1 / Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP), 2015: Launched to procure renewable energy from Independent Power Producers (IPPs) through competitive bidding. This program was pivotal in introducing renewable energy into South Africa's energy mix.

2 / South African Renewable Energy Masterplan (SAREM), 2023: A draft policy framework aimed at growing the renewable energy sector, creating jobs, and fostering socio-economic development in alignment with South Africa's sustainability goals.

3 / National Climate Change Response White Paper 2020 This White Paper laid the foundation for South Africa’s climate change strategy, focusing on both mitigation and adaptation. It proposed carbon budgets and sectoral emission targets to manage greenhouse gas emissions, which have since been incorporated into subsequent legislation.

4 / Carbon Tax Act (2019) This Act introduced a carbon tax to incentivize the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in line with the country’s commitment to transition to a low-carbon economy. The tax is applied to businesses that exceed their allocated carbon budgets, which are set under the Climate Change Bill and other regulations.

Laws

1 / National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) Amendment Act 49 of 2013: Implemented to integrate environmental regulation with petroleum resource development, this amendment shifted the environmental management of exploration and production activities from the MPRDA to NEMA. This change was part of the broader "One Environmental System," aimed at streamlining environmental oversight in South Africa.

2 / Climate Change Bill Passed by the National Council of Provinces on April 25, 2024. The Climate Change Bill ai aims to implement a unified approach to address climate change, focusing on improving adaptive capacity and resilience. It mandates that national, provincial, and local governments develop policies to manage climate risks and contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions through sectoral emission targets. The Bill outlines the responsibilities of different government levels to ensure coordinated efforts in climate change mitigation.

Funding

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