The challenge? Taking a measured approach to phasing out coal

SA is a highly carbon-intensive economy; we’re one of the top 20 largest emitters of greenhouse gases (GHG) and, on a per unit of GDP basis, we rank well above the global average.

It is important that these statistics are seen in the context of the global effort to decouple economic growth from fossil fuel use. The winners will be those countries, and companies, that can decarbonise their growth. On this score, SA’s participation in the global economic race comes with a handicap, one we can ill afford, especially considering our high levels of poverty, unemployment and inequality.  

As a country we rely on coal to generate about 90% of our energy requirements and some 20% of all our liquid fuel requirements, meaning that Sasol and Eskom collectively account for about 50% of our annual GHG and some 85% of domestic coal consumption. However, simply turning these two entities off to address climate concerns is not a solution, certainly not in the short term, and especially when considering how important these companies are to the running of our economy and as a source of employment.

Coal lives matter?

Minerals Council SA reports that the coal industry employs some 82,000 people (down from a historical high of 120,000 in the 1980s). Eskom provides work for more than 50,000 people in its primary coal fleet; and Sasol, while being a global company, provides the bulk of its 31,000 jobs in SA. With unemployment levels sitting at 29%, any effort to decarbonise our economy needs to carefully consider potential jobs losses, as well as long-term, national socio-economic development more broadly.

From a purely financial perspective, Sasol is one the largest taxpayers in SA, contributing R39.5bn in taxes to the government in 2018. Coal miners contribute not only tax and mining royalties but are also an important source of foreign revenue. Mining in general is the largest contributor to SA’s foreign exchange earnings, with a 40% share. And the coal sector is the largest revenue generator within mining, outweighing the gold and platinum sectors.

Notwithstanding this, the coal sector faces headwinds, both globally and locally. Already, coal demand has peaked globally and the decline of coal-fired power generation is projected to be steeper than previously estimated. Aside from mounting public pressure against coal, a large part of the shift is being driven by our economics and the steeply falling price of alternative energy.

The implications of these global dynamics are material for SA, especially if the phasing out of coal is not well planned. 

An orderly retreat 

An orderly retreat is always preferable. In the context of SA’s transition to a low-carbon economy, the implications of an orderly retreat are material not only for those directly employed in the coal value chain, but also for the economy and the return prospects for SA savers.

On the plus side, an increased role for renewables in the SA energy mix, (up to 60%) is seen as technically viable. With this come the benefits of net new job creation and the potential for local supply chain development. So, while SA has the challenge of fossil-fuel dependency, we have also been blessed with leading global solar and wind resources.

Capturing these benefits while managing the socio-economic transition risks will require a coherent plan from the government, with broad support from civil society, labour and business.

The current risks surrounding Eskom show us just how vulnerable we are to a collapsed energy system. Along with that, addressing climate change issues has never been more pertinent. What is clear is that through global concessionary climate funding, it is possible to both fix Eskom and to solve the transition to a low-carbon economy.

This presents SA with the unique opportunity to re-set our long-term energy plans and drive perhaps the biggest industrialisation programme our country has seen since the dawn of democracy.

We require the government to take an intentional stand and work aggressively towards our Paris Accord commitments. As it stands, our nationally determined contributions (the intended reductions in GHG emissions under the UN framework convention on climate change) explicitly state the need for a just transition and acknowledge the declining role of coal in our economy.

The inexorable energy transition is underway globally; SA Inc would do well to work collectively in this endeavour. 

• Duncan is the head of responsible investment, Old Mutual Investment Group.