Reframing South Africa’s Energy Diplomacy: An African imperative and geopolitical strategy for Just Energy Transition

Abstract

In response to the ongoing threats posed by climate change, South Africa has joined the rest of the world in advancing decarbonisation efforts. As one of the signatories of the signatory to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and to the Paris Agreement, South Africa is committed to a transformational transition to a net-zero emission economy by 2050 through its energy diplomacy. This article presents a comprehensive examination of the important role of energy diplomacy
in the current geopolitical context. As nations increasingly face challenges related to energy security, sustainability, and climate change, energy diplomacy has emerged as a vital instrument for fostering international cooperation and collaboration. This study, therefore, showcases South Africa’s successful energy diplomacy initiatives, including strategic partnerships between the Global North and the Global South. It also examines the impact of multilateral agreements such as the five-year Just Energy Transition Investment Plan (JET IP) from 2023-2027. However, given the existing socio-economic challenges that are exacerbated by the climatic changes, it is imperative to conduct a qualitative content analysis of South Africa’s energy diplomacy.