Latest news with #PresidentialClimateCommission
IOL News
31-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Is the GNU losing rhythm on climate action? A reflection of the strategic development plan
Yuri Ramkissoon, Senior Manager Monitoring and Evaluation at the Presidential Climate Commission. Image: Supplied The 2025 -2030 Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP), which was published earlier this year, should for all intents and purpose serve as last-mile five-year implementation blueprint towards the realisation of National Development Plan (NDP) Vison 2030. Though a nobly thought-out expression of legislative and policy priorities for the Government of National Unity (GNU), the MTDP remains a rebrand of its forebearer, the Mid-Term Strategic Framework (MTSF) but equally a useful platform for the state machinery to deliver a common programme of nation building, economic growth and societal development. Most importantly it's a tool to guide short and medium-term plans and the allocation of public resources. A perfunctory review of the MTDP shows that there is cognisance of the need for urgent need for climate action and also a need for a just transition, whilst maintaining socioeconomic development. The MTDP deals with the just transition under Strategic Priority One, which aims to drive inclusive growth and job creation, articulated through the lens of energy security and an energy transition. The MTDP supports the just transition principles, economic diversification and skills development. The MTDP makes specific mention of the just transition as part the country's sustainable development commitments. Its states that the application of the Just Transition Framework, Just Energy Transition Investment Plan and Implementation Plan 'will be prioritised and accelerated,' noting that 'climate change is a shared global challenge with significant short–, medium-, and long-term socio-economic implications.' But in prioritising the country's response to climate change, the MTDP misses the mark on the need for integration of the just transition into all aspects of the country's development – noting that climate change is not just an energy problem and that decarbonisation will not only impact the energy sector, but the whole society. It appears like the coordination of the transition will remain fragmented unless it is seen as a priority itself with unifying goals and targets that incorporate various departments and sectors. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Coordination and collaboration to achieve just transition outcomes remains minimal. In October 2024, the Presidential Climate Commission examined the strategic plans (SPs) and annual performance plans (APPs) of 16 government departments to assess if they had embedded goals, targets, and measurable outputs to achieve just transition outcomes. At a broad level, the analysis noted that climate change is a challenge that will impact departments and sectors. While climate change was better integrated into APPs, this integration was limited to specific outcomes and not streamlined across various relevant outcomes or plans, as would be required for a holistic, coordinated response to climate change and achievement of a just transition. Our climate and just transition goals and efforts remain neglected and underfunded, with the consequences painfully evident as our municipalities, which are now regularly battered by floods, and drought – with little support towards recovery or resilience. Supporting the institutional integrity, capacity, and resources of local government for adaptation and disaster response should be prioritised and remain a key focus of the Presidential Climate Commission (PCC) going forward. Government departments that deal with socio-economic development must make space for the inclusion of climate-related goals, funding, policies, outputs and more. While several departments such as Environment, Forestry and Fisheries; Mineral Resources and Energy; Science and Innovation highlighted environmental programmes in their budget votes, these were often siloed and did not go far enough in advancing the just transition. More worrying is that departments whose mandates are central to delivering a just transition such as Employment and Labour, Social Development, etc. have not framed their programmes through a climate or just transition lens. Our development pathway should transcend medieval economic growth philosophies. The lived experiences of our people, and lessons from first movers in decarbonisation, have demonstrated that that a just transition will make our economy more resilient and strengthen our global competitiveness, and create opportunities to reduce poverty, inequality, and unemployment. South Africa passed the Climate Change Act and a comprehensive Just Transition Framework that acts as a blueprint for the just transition to companies, the State and civil society. However, unless just transition outcomes, are integrated meaningfully into the work of government and the private sector, it is unlikely that South Africa will achieve its emissions reductions targets through just means. As the current five-year term of the Commission draws to a close later this year, the PCC reaffirms its commitment to a just transition that leaves nobody behind. In the face of growing geopolitical uncertainty, widening inequality, and global poverty, we must remain steadfast in advancing our mission: to guide South Africa's transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient future with integrity, inclusivity, and scientific rigor. Now more than ever, our collective efforts must ensure that the transition is not only ambitious but fundamentally just—placing people, especially the most vulnerable, at the heart of climate action to ensure sustainable socio-economic development. Yuri Ramkissoon, Senior Manager Monitoring and Evaluation at the Presidential Climate Commission. *** The views expressed here do not necessarily represent those of Independent Media or IOL. BUSINESS REPORT
IOL News
02-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Climate Commission rejects allegations of corruption in energy transition funding
The report, titled The Climate Consultants; How management consultants cash in on the climate crises, outlines serious allegations regarding the influence of private sector technocrats on government climate policy, while simultaneously consulting for fossil fuel companies implicated in worsening the climate crisis. Image: EPA/RITCHIE B. TONGO The Presidential Climate Commission (PCC) has poured cold water on a report by advocacy group Open Secrets, which accuses consultancy firms and their intertwined relationships with business interests of systematically looting funds allocated for South Africa's Just Energy Transition (JET). The report, titled The Climate Consultants; How management consultants cash in on the climate crises, outlines serious allegations regarding the influence of private sector technocrats on government climate policy, while simultaneously consulting for fossil fuel companies implicated in worsening the climate crisis. The report describes how much of South Africa's Just Energy Transition (JET) plan is being financed by a $12.8 billion pledge from France, Germany, the United Kingdom and the European Union. Most of the money so far provided is in the form of concessional loans, which means it still has to be paid back, albeit at favourable rates. The terms and conditions of these loans are not made known. It claimed that around 65% of the committed grant funds, according to the JET Grants Register, have gone to private corporations and organisations as implementing entities. Alarmingly, less than 25% of grant capital has been allocated to local public institutions—such as NGOs and universities—highlighting a disconnect between donor intentions and real, local impact. "More often than not, there is also a direct link between where the money comes from (the donor country) and where the money goes (the implementing entity),' noted the report, led by Open Secrets investigators Zen Mathe, Michael Marchant, Ra'eesa Prather, Luvano Ntuli and Ariella Scher. It pointed out that three large multinationals known as the Big Three – McKinsey, Bain and Boston Consulting Group (BCG) – and the consulting arms of the Big Four multinational accounting firms – Deloitte, EY, KPMG, and PwC – also continued to do 'lucrative work' for fossil fuel companies including Sasol. The PCC on Wednesday welcomed the release of the report, saying it was part of society's scrutiny to the country just transition and overall economic reform. However, the PCC spokesperson, Blessing Manale, said the report "makes no substantiated negative finding against the PCC on any matter even though such are reflected and exaggerated as a smoking gun or nearer to the truth or we reject." "By its own admission, the report acknowledges the PCC as the most transparent institutions the investigators interacted with during the sourcing of their information. Its further emphasis that we strongly refuted such allegations with factual verifiable rebuttals," Manale said. Manale said the PCC had noted some factual inaccuracies in the report and will make submissions to Open Secrets for a correction of both the digital and hard copies of the report in the interest of fairness and factual reporting. He said the Commission mobilises and procures expert input research from a wide range of public and private research organisations, including universities, NGOs, and private consultants. "All advice is thoroughly processed by the Secretariat, carefully considered by the Commission, and cross-referenced with a diversity of stakeholder views before the Commission pronounces its views on any matter," Manale said. Part of the report's recommendations are that as far as possible, JET Programme monies should be routed through the South African State, spent in compliance with the Public Finance Maagement Act, and allocated for spending through a process of climate-responsive budgeting. "A key component of this will be regulating private companies in alignment with the Climate Change Act. Moreover, it remains urgent to introduce effective regulations for themanagement consulting sector," teh report recommended. "Currently, consultants do not have a regulatory body to hold them accountable for their conduct. Even when consultants are exposed for se-rious misconduct, they remain largely un-accountable for the much larger social costs of their actions." BUSINESS REPORT
IOL News
23-04-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Powering a just transition for people, planet and prosperity
For the Presidential Climate Commission (PCC), every day is Earth Day. Image: Henk Kruger/Independent Newspapers Each year on April 22, the world pauses to mark Earth Day — a moment to reflect on our collective relationship with the planet. For the Presidential Climate Commission (PCC), every day is Earth Day. Still, this global observance provides a vital opportunity to take stock, deepen reflection, and recommit to a world that is fair and just, a task of which we must undertake for posterity through a transition that must centre not only on people, but also on the health of the planet that sustains us and all of life. As the PCC, our role is to provide an evidence-based platform to support South Africa's shift to a low-emissions, climate-resilient, and more equal economy. We do this through robust research, broad and meaningful stakeholder engagement, and also independent oversight of national climate commitments. Our work is rooted in the belief that the climate crisis is not just an environmental challenge, but a fundamental development challenge, with far-reaching implications for jobs, livelihoods, health, and justice. Charting the Path to Net Zero by 2050 South Africa's commitment to net zero by 2050 will require bold shifts across the economy — including a move from coal to renewables in electricity, cleaner fuels and mass transit in transport, and decarbonisation of hard-to-abate sectors such as steel, cement, and mining. The agriculture sector must also cut methane emissions and improve land use through better stewardship. Any residual emissions will need to be balanced through carbon removal efforts, including nature-based solutions like reforestation. These transitions will not be easy. They raise tough questions about industrial competitiveness, economic restructuring, energy security, and climate finance. Recognising this, the PCC launched the Net Zero Pathways Programme, focused on developing climate-informed economic strategies through science, modelling, and deep dialogue with government, business, labour, and civil society. Across the country, we are seeing communities begin to lead this change: from coal workers seeking new opportunities, to youth innovators building green enterprises, to municipalities investing in sustainable infrastructure. Yet this is just the beginning. The road ahead requires all sectors of society to align around a shared vision and pathway. As we navigate this complex transition, the Just Transition Framework is clear on how we must not allow the costs of change to fall unfairly on those least equipped to bear them. A truly just transition must be deliberate in protecting and uplifting workers in declining industries, supporting affected communities, and addressing the vulnerabilities of women, youth, disabled and the poor. It means planning for transitions with retraining opportunities, building resilient local economies, and enhancing social protection mechanisms. The PCC's work is centred on building an inclusive transition — one that delivers climate resilience and equity. Building Resilience in a Warming World Climate change is already here — and it's intensifying. South Africa is increasingly experiencing extreme weather events, from devastating floods in KwaZulu-Natal to record-breaking heat in our urban centres. For many communities, the climate crisis is not abstract — it is a daily reality. So, it is important for us to act now. The PCC recently completed a review of South Africa's disaster risk management system, identifying strong legislative frameworks, but also serious implementation gaps, particularly at the local level. Municipalities — often the first responders — need better resources, clearer mandates, and stronger coordination. We are now developing a Just Adaptation and Resilience Investment Plan, aimed at unlocking finance for critical adaptation interventions, while strengthening institutional capacity and early warning systems. Climate resilience must be seen as a public good — essential for development, dignity, and disaster preparedness. Earth Day: A Call to Action This year's Earth Day theme, 'Our Power, Our Planet,' resonates with the PCC's mission and the belief that climate action is about empowering people — to shape decisions, hold institutions accountable, an opportunity for businesses to accelerate a culture for corporate climate action, and drive change from the ground up. We reaffirm our commitment to a just transition that delivers on both environmental integrity and social justice by accelerating low-carbon energy development — investing in solar, wind, and clean technologies that reduce emissions and create green jobs. At the same time, it is necessary for the transition to support skills development and reskilling for workers, especially in communities affected by the decline of fossil fuels. The journey to net zero is not only about reducing emissions. It's about building a society where all people — especially the most vulnerable — can thrive in a changing climate. Earth Day must mark not just a moment of reflection but a point of no return in building a just, climate-resilient South Africa for all. Climate action is not optional, but it is a moral imperative, an economic necessity, and an opportunity to reimagine the future. If we harness our collective power with courage and compassion, South Africa can become a global model of a fair, inclusive, and climate-smart transition. Dorah Modise- Executive Director, Presidential Climate Commission.
