South Africa backs coal in balanced energy transition strategy
South African Minister Gwede Mantashe has reaffirmed the country's commitment to coal as a primary energy source, citing economic stability and energy security. He argued against international pressure to abandon coal, emphasizing a balanced transition that prioritizes industrial growth and job creation.
Why it matters
This highlights the ongoing tension between global climate goals and the economic development priorities of resource-rich emerging economies.
South Africa will continue to chart an independent energy transition pathway that balances economic growth, energy security and environmental responsibility, according to the Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Gwede Mantashe.
Speaking at the close of a series of engagements on the future of the coal sector, the minister pushed back against global pressure on developing economies to move away from coal at a pace set by developed nations. He said such approaches fail to reflect local realities and development priorities.
The minister argued that the energy debate should not be framed as a choice between coal and renewable energy, but rather as a managed shift from high carbon to lower carbon emissions while sustaining industrial competitiveness and economic growth. He added that environmental sustainability and economic development must work together, particularly in a country still facing high unemployment and energy access challenges.
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