SLIDE 1
Climate Pathways and a Just Transition for South Africa
Presentation to BUSA Just Transition Working Group , 29 July 2020
Business Action for Sustainable Growth
@NBISA #NBIJustTransition
1
Context … … and guiding principles
South Africa will be severely impacted by climate change in the coming decades Unlike many countries, South Africa's economic case for implementing carbon neutrality, or even a 2°C mitigation path, is negative In addition, South Africa must achieve a Just Transition to avoid exacerbating inequality, maintain social cohesion, and eradicate poverty; and plan for the physical impacts of climate change A multitude of reports have been published by domestic and international institutions about what South Africa should do, however little practical progress has been made. Many reports show a limited understanding of the full context, including local realities that may challenge transition The time is opportune for South African businesses to propose a coordinated, constructive, and inclusive way forward that protects economic competitiveness To have the desired impact, South African business must propose a position that is:
- Unbiased – fact-based and objective, not a lobbying
exercise by business
- Ambitious – proposing step-change solutions and difficult
trade-offs, not repackaging current efforts
- Unified – widely supported across all critical industries and
non-business sectors
- Just – centered on socio-economic implications, not only
individual bottom lines - underscored by dialogue
- Balanced – efforts are in proportion to the physical and
transition climate risk to which South Africa is exposed across development scenarios
- Visible – anchored on a major international and local event,
COP26, to cement commitment and transparency and to demonstrate alignment with national poverty alleviation and economic goals