The United Nation’s 2030 Agenda: How Far is South Africa in Contributing to Climate Change

As we approach the UN’s 2030 Agenda, the steps taken towards creating a better world for all are under scrutiny. The world is evolving at a rapid pace with ground breaking innovations emerging from the latest technological advancements, such as the new kid on the block, Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Understanding the process and speed at which these innovations are created begs the question, with the invention of AI, 3D printing, and telemedicine, what is stopping the world from coming up with a solution that can stop climate change? South Africa is a land with a number of natural resources that help promote the country’s economic growth and development, however like any other country, It has played its part in the progression of climate change.

Is Climate Change a Warning Signal from Earth?

For many years, we’ve broached the topic of global warming and how the world needs to do better for all its inhabitants to survive. However, have we really gotten to the heart of the matter? Global warming refers to the long-term rising global temperature due to human interference, primarily greenhouse gas emissions such as carbon dioxide, methane from farming, and nitrous oxide.

Climate change, on the other hand, refers to a broader range of changes in the Earth’s climate including global warming. This means changes in temperature, rising sea levels, and an increase in intense weather conditions such as tornadoes, droughts, and hurricanes. A perfect example would be South Africa’s coastal provinces such as the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, which have witnessed these changes over the past five years.

2024 was a hot year for South Africa. On Wednesday, 11 December, South Africa recorded the highest temperature globally, with Twee Riviere in the Eastern Cape reaching 45.9°C—the highest that has ever been recorded in 24 hours. According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), 2024 was one of the hottest years on record, with temperatures reaching 1.55°C above pre-industrial levels. “The loss of ice from glaciers, sea-level rise, and ocean heating are accelerating, and extreme weather is wreaking havoc on communities and economies across the world,” said WMO.

When analyzing these intense weather conditions, we cannot help but wonder if Mother Nature’s extreme weather conditions are non-verbal signals on how people should do better and come up with methods and ideas to maintain the climate before it enters a new territory where no human intervention can make a positive change.

How is South Africa Contributing to the UN Agenda 2030?

As one of the countries that make up the United Nations, South Africa plays a key role in changing the way that Africans live for the better. South Africa is one of the wealthiest countries in Africa, with a vast number of resources that contribute to the country’s growing economy. Mineral resources such as platinum and gold qualify South Africa as a powerhouse among other African countries.

However, it still has a long way to go in making an impact on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number 13: Climate Action.

One of South Africa’s main resources of electricity and energy production is coal. According to Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), coal provides about 77% of the energy needs, and the country’s largest electricity distributor, Eskom, generates about 90% of its electricity from coal to power the country.

As the most dominant resource in powering the country, it can be said that the transition towards cleaner energy might take a few years to accomplish, as coal is rated number one in South Africa for its abundance and reliability. Additionally, coal mining is one of the biggest contributors to the country’s economy, and lowering the demand for coal wills most likely impact the employment rate in South Africa, as it currently provides jobs for thousands of workers.

To contribute to the Climate Action goal set by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), South Africa has begun to slowly transition from being a coal-powered country to using cleaner energy in their bid to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution from coal mining, which affects both the environment and the health of many South Africans.

Key Initiatives Implemented for Climate Change

• Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP): In efforts to address the worsening effects of climate change, at the 26th World Climate Change Conference in 2021, South Africa, in partnership with France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and the European Union, came together in a Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) to help developing countries dependent on coal transition to cleaner energy. The main aim of JETP is to improve air quality, benefit the environment, and bring socio-economic gains.
• Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP): This program, implemented by the South African government, aims to increase the share of renewable energy in South Africa’s energy mix by collaborating with private sector investments towards clean energy projects such as wind, solar, and hydropower. A prime example would be how in 2024, the program successfully provided over 6000 MW of renewable energy to the national grid.
• International Cooperation: In efforts to help reduce the effects of climate change, South Africa is an active participant in international climate change forums such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and partners with other countries to help address climate change. Additionally, the country has signed the Paris Agreement, committing to reducing global warming to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels.

These initiatives are just some of the efforts that South Africa has taken to help combat the challenges of climate change and contribute to the global goals set by the UN’s 2030 Agenda.

Conclusion

For a country like South Africa that has been powered by fossil fuels for over a century, the transition from fossil fuels to clean energy is expected to be a challenging one but not impossible. Adapting to the changing climate means adapting to cleaner energy resources such as wind, solar, and hydropower in an effort to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions produced by fossil fuels. By building strong partnerships and rolling out impactful sustainability programs, South Africa has the potential to be a major player in achieving the UN’s 2030 Agenda.

The country is rich in natural resources and innovation, but to truly make a difference it needs more global support. Increased investment, exchanging ideas, and collaboration with international partners could accelerate progress and position South Africa as a leader in sustainable development. With the right backing, it can be a great example for other nations and drive meaningful change toward a greener, more sustainable future.  

Written By: Nicole Bongo

Edited by: Thakane Hoeane