South Africa's Just Energy Transition with Rudi Dicks

In 2020, South Africa launched its 2050 Low Emission Development (LED) Strategy, which outlines a commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050. President Cyril Ramaphosa followed this up in November 2021 with a Political Declaration that established a partnership with the EU, US, France, Germany and UK. All members have committed to work towards creating just transition to a low carbon economy and a climate resilient society in South Africa.

In this episode, we speak to Rudi Dicks, Head of Project Management Office (PMO) at Presidency. He sheds light on the Presidency’s efforts to ensure South Africa transitions to a low-carbon, socially inclusive, and resilient economy. We discuss the challenges surrounding the financing mechanisms and mechanisms and the country’s long-term ambition to develop the green hydrogen sector. Coal will remain a feature of South Africa’s energy mix until at least 2050; Rudi explains how and why.

This conversation was recorded on 30 August at the South Africa Sustainable Finance Intensive, hosted by Africonomie, in Cape Town.