Climate Justice: GOOD welcomes the news that global coal-generated electricity is on track for record decline of 3% this year.
Mark Rountree, National Policy Officer for GOOD.
25th November 2019
GOOD welcomes the announcement from Carbon Brief that 2019 will likely see the largest ever drop in global electricity production from coal. The anticipated 3% reduction is equivalent to the combined power generated from coal in Germany, Spain and the UK.
South Africa’s extreme droughts and global record ice melts and wildfires are linked to climate change and a real global response to reducing carbon emissions is long overdue.
To lower our own carbon emissions, South Africa must replace decommissioned electricity capacity with renewables, not more coal. “Clean coal” is like Hazenile – unfortunately neither exist in practice.
To further accelerate emissions reductions, GOOD last month appealed to the National Minister of Energy & Minerals, Minister Mantashe, to a declaration in terms of Section 34 in terms of Electricity Regulation of 2006. This would permit towns and cities to procure renewable electricity directly from independent power producers. We must give local governments the choice to procure clean energy, reduce carbon emissions and provide energy security to ratepayers.
Solar and wind energy are cheaper than new coal electricity and better for the world we live in and that which or children will inherit. South Africa must play its part to help the world reduce the impacts of climate change.
Ends
GOOD welcomes the news that global coal-generated electricity is on track for record decline of 3% this year.
25 November 2019