6 December

The Challenges of Coal Phase Out: Insights from the G20 and Developing Countries

Event time: 13:00- 14:30

Host: Energy Research Center (ERC) - the University of Cape Town

Event type: presentation (open event)

The side event will present research from the Climate Transparency project on global coal phase out pathways, as well as analyses of the coal transition dynamics in South Africa, Indonesia, and India.

The challenges of decarbonization and fossil fuel phase out are especially acute in developing countries with high dependence on coal for energy and economic growth. Yet global analysis shows that all countries need to phase out coal in the power sector by 2040 for 1.5^oC. What are the energy system, economic, and political challenges of a rapid phase out for economies with high levels of poverty?

What is the scale of the challenge for workers, livelihoods, and local economies? And what opportunities are offered by a just transition?

Accelerating NDC Implementation in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Through Improved Access to Finance

Event Time: 15:00- 16:00

Host: Southern African Development Community (SADC)

Event type: presentation (open event)

The SADC region is significantly threatened by climate change, manifest in droughts, floods and cyclones (amongst other hazards), limiting economic growth and food and water security and amplifying poverty and other social stresses especially amongst vulnerable communities. A review of NDCs reveals bias to nexus sectors specifically water, energy, agriculture and ecological infrastructure, which present challenges and opportunities in terms of transboundary issues.

The side event will strengthen partners’ portfolios on adaptation, climate finance and NDC implementation. It will add value and leverage more resources to enhance the recently launched Intra-ACP Global Climate Change Alliance Plus (GCCA+) project for Southern Africa, which also has a stronger access to finance component. The side event targets state and non-state participants. It will provide them with new and improved tools, processes, networks and other capacities for accessing climate finance including demonstration of innovative sources of funding.