Presented by SAIIA

The COP26 summit aims to to bring parties together to accelerate action on climate change by addressing key issues related to climate finance, finalising the Paris Rulebook, prioritising adaptation and mitigation efforts, and raising ambition in line with achieving the global 1.5 degree goal. To localise climate action and to usher in a climate resilient society young people wish for, the South African Youth Climate Action Plan (SA YCAP) was developed.

Young people between the ages of 13-30, from all across South Africa and representing various organisations, schools, university groups and communities have been working tirelessly over the last few months to develop the SA YCAP. We hope that the SAYCAP can serve as a guide for youth, decision-makers, civil society, business, academia, and other stakeholders.

This youth-driven process has united young people to consolidate their ideas into a unique living document that will include policy recommendations, stories, art, poetry and an implementation plan. During this hybrid event we will provide an overview of the process, speak to the pillars that anchor the document, share lessons learnt, and highlight key policy recommendations young people would like actioned at COP26 that would facilitate South Africa’s transition to a low carbon, climate resilient society they wish to live in.

Time:
09:00 - 10:00 GMT

11:00 - 12:00 SAST

Presented by ASSAf

The purpose of this session is to disseminate the science advice products from academies of science that have a bearing on climate change. In addition to their honorific function, academies of science provide science advice to government. Climate change is one of those areas where science advice is sought as it also covers a number of other areas. The Academy of Science of South Africa has recently published the 2nd Biennial Report on Climate Change which it will disseminate through this session.

The InterAcademy Partnership (IAP) which is a global network of academies is currently running a project on Climate Change and Health together with its regional networks in Africa (of which ASSAf is a member), Asia and the Americas. The findings will be published in three regional reports this year and one global report next year. The results of the African group’s work will be presented and discussed with the COP audience as countries address climate change as a wicked problem that has a global impact.

Time:
11:00 - 13:00 GMT

13:00 - 15:00 SAST

Presented by NBI, The Climate Group, CDP, WBCSD.

South Africa’s energy sector is extremely carbon intensive, while at the same time vital for economic growth and development. The sector also suffers from regular supply constraints, with negative financial impacts on business operations and investment confidence in the country. For South Africa, renewable electricity plays a fundamental role in the transition to a low-carbon economy and society. This energy transition is required to decouple economic growth from environmental degradation, and is a gamechanger from an economic, environmental, and social standpoint as it offers cost-effective solutions to the current electricity supply challenges.

A number of South African companies have set renewable energy targets ahead of plans to decarbonise the national grid. This adds to the existing demand for renewables from at least 45 global RE100 companies reporting energy consumption in the country. To achieve these targets, businesses can directly invest in onsite generation, purchase from neighbouring generation sites, and/or develop Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with producers and suppliers of renewable energy. Due to its regulatory and physical infrastructure South Africa is a difficult economy for these companies to achieve their set objectives.

There is an opportunity for corporates to work together to advocate for policies that enable a favourable market for renewable electricity, leading to a rapid market-driven scaling up in renewables investment.

To help unlock opportunities for corporate renewable electricity procurement, the NBI, The Climate Group, CDP and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, supported by the We Mean Business coalition, have partnered to establish a hub called RAiSE (Renewables Ambition in South African Electricity).

RAiSE are delighted to be able to deliver this session as part of the South African Government’s Pavilion to shed light on the context of renewables in South Africa, share our ambition for addressing these issues, and where we are on our journey. We will provide practical insights into some of the key issues and opportunities around corporate procurement of renewables in the South African context, including an exploration of ideas for how cities and business can work together to meet emissions reduction targets and to achieve electricity security through renewable electricity generation.

This hybrid event will take place on Friday, 05 November 2021 from 13:30-15:00 GMT at the COP26 South Africa Pavilion and online via Zoom.