Energy Security: What is likely to be the impact of the Energy Transition on job creation, energy, water, and food security?

BEPA in Partnership with Enlit Africa

“Energy Security: What is likely to be the impact of the Energy Transition on job creation, energy, water, and food security?’’

The Black Energy Professionals Association (BEPA) in partnership with Enlit Africa will host a Webinar in August 2022 under the theme “Energy Security: What is likely to be the impact of the Energy Transition on job creation, energy, water, and food security?’’

On 2 November 2021, the President of South Africa, Mr. Cyril Ramaphosa announced a Political Declarationwith the governments of France, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States, as well as the European Union which may be regarded as an important breakthrough in this effort. Through this partnership, an initial amount of $8.5 billion (R131 Billion) will be mobilised over the next three to five years to support South Africa’s just transition to a low-carbon, climate resilient future.

Why?

The global energy landscape anticipates an enormous change when compared to the previous hundred years. As the world’s energy sector is moving away from fossil fuels and gravitating towards renewable energy sources, this may be challenging for industrial companies in terms of addressing this transition in transformative ways. In South Africa, seemingly the coal to clean journey could deliver more than 250 000 jobs and more than $10 billion gross value added to the economy over 25 years provided an ambitious green recovery is to be pursued.

However, the transition may not be as smooth as it sounds! Developing economies will require significant investment in alternative energy sources and other infrastructure. This also requires considerable support for workers and communities throughout the coal value chain who may lose their jobs and livelihoods. While the energy transition is necessary for reducing global carbon emissions, the transition should also be fair and just. A just transition requires finance and support from wealthier nations to enable low- and-medium income countries to protect employment and to promote development.

South Africa has committed to ambitious emission reduction targets. Achieving these targets will require the transformation of the country’s energy system at an unprecedented speed and scale. Nonetheless, the country’s ability to do so will be determined by the extent of support that we receive from developed economies.

The Webinar

The energy sector continues to thrive in South Africa and plays a significant role in growing the economy. However, there is poor participation by black professionals, especially black women at a strategic and commercial level. BEPA was established to address the aspirations of black industry participants. BEPA represents the specific interest of black people with the aim to achieve transparent broad participation in all the energy sectors. BEPA actively tries to create solutions and solve problems facing black professionals who are either involved or keen to play a role in the sector. Given the aforementioned; the objective of the webinar is to, among others, reflect on energy transition and facilitate a conversation amongst leaders in the energy industry as their share their knowledge and answer the question: “Energy Security: What is likely to be the impact of the Energy Transition on job creation, energy, water, and food security?’’