Socio-Economic Considerations for a Paris Agreement-Compatible Coal Transition in South Africa

How does South Africa manage its coal phase-out? Go to video.

• Coal has been integral to South Africa’s energy system and economy for decades,
  but is increasingly uncompetitive and creates considerable risks – economic,
  social, and environmental – for the country.
• A Paris-compatible mitigation pathway will mean the phase out of coal in the
  power and liquid fuels sectors by 2040
• Given the high levels of poverty and unemployment in South Africa, energy and
  climate policy needs to contribute to a development pathway that addresses
  these socio-economic challenges
• A just transition is required so that coal dependent regions and workers are not
  stranded by the energy transition or by climate change policy
• A just transition also addresses the development challenges facing the country
• Transition planning needs to consider worker transition schemes, local economic
  resilience and the development of new sectors
• We outline proposed interventions that could form a just transition package for
  South Africa