A just COP26 outcome for South Africa?

ABSTRACT At COP26 several global North states as well as the European Union committed to mobilising funding for South Africa’s just energy transition to the tune of $8.5 billion. The commitment was made in a ‘Political Declaration on the Just Transition in South Africa’ by the governments of South Africa, the United Kingdom, the United States, France, and Germany, together with the European Union. In response, civil society actors within South Africa such as the Climate Justice Charter Movement, have expressed serious, well-founded concerns about the South African government’s willingness to end the country’s dependence on coal, oil, and gas. These actors raise questions about whether the funding will be used in a manner that advances climate justice for the global South. Centring the voices of climate justice activists, and adopting a climate justice lens, this commentary describes and evaluates the funding commitment made to South Africa at COP26 and then reflects on civil society’s concerns.