JET In The News is a short summary recap of top events, relevant information and discussions, and articles on Just Energy Transition in South Africa from the last week. It aims to keep us all in the loop as it relates to our Just Energy Future!
General:
The South African Climate Change Act has been signed into law!
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed into law a broad climate change act that will set caps for large emitters and require every town and city to publish an adaptation plan.
Read More: https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/south-africa-passes-its-first-sweeping-climate-change-law-2024-07-23/
Watch the interview here: https://youtu.be/MWflq_VqwRM?feature=shared
Webinar: Understanding The New Climate Change Act
President Ramaphosa signed the Climate Change Act into law on 23 July 2024. This is the first time that there is a South African law dedicated to regulating the country’s holistic climate change response. This webinar presented by Centre for Environmental Rights Pollution and Climate Change Attorney Brandon Abdinor unpacks:
– the key provisions and various considerations of the act
– what we can expect next from state and other role-players
– how the act can be used to support and advance climate justice
– where the opportunities lie for advocacy and litigation-based pressure
Watch the webinar here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHVDetsvR5g
National climate change response fund dialogue
The Presidential Climate Commission hosted a public dialogue on the design of the Climate Change Response Fund as announced by the President in his February 2024 State of the Nation Address, as well as consider options for its possible form, modality of operation, and funding mechanisms.
Check the dialogue here: https://www.climatecommission.org.za/events/national-climate-change-response-fund-dialogue
Draft IRP 2023 set to be redrafted in line with new integrated energy plan
South Africa’s newly appointed Electricity and Energy Minister, Dr Kgosientsho Ramakgopa, is responsible for drafting the country’s Integrated Resource Plan which lay’s out the country’s energy generation plan.
Read more: https://www.greenbuildingafrica.co.za/south-africas-draft-irp-2023-set-to-be-redrafted-in-line-with-new-integrated-energy-plan/
Fossil Fuels:
DMPR notes withdrawal of TotalEnergies from offshore blocks
TotalEnergies has withdraw from its offshore oil and gas exploration, more specifically in the offshore blocks 11B/12B and 5/6/7. “The Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources has expressed confidence that a suitable investor will come on board and “be able to monetise” gas discoveries off the south coast of South Africa.”
Read more: https://www.sanews.gov.za/south-africa/dmpr-notes-withdrawal-totalenergies-offshore-blocks
Nuclear:
Unit 1 of Koeberg nuclear power station has been granted a 20 year extension
Despite the concerns raised by youth, communities, and civil society organisation on safety, transparency, governance, health, the radioactive waste, and the environmental impacts the National Nuclear Regulator of South Africa has granted the extension to Eskom 7 days before the current licence was supposed to expire. Anti-nuclear activist and Koeberg Alert Alliance spokesperson Peter Becker discusses this and it’s implications in an interview with Newzroom Africa.
Watch the interview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Vx8ko44f28
Is Eskom ignoring crucial safety measures for Koeberg’s future?
Check out this opinion from Dr Neil Overy -an environmental researcher, writer and photographer- on the safety, public participation, and more of Koeberg’s future.
Read More: https://www.iol.co.za/business-report/energy/is-eskom-ignoring-crucial-safety-measures-for-koebergs-future-fba8ac41-cccb-46a4-926f-3143959a4f6b
Date: 8 August 2024
