- Zaheer Fakir, Chief Policy Adviser: International Relations and Governance at Department of Environmental Affairs, has resigned.
- Fakir is also a member of the Presidential Climate Finance Task Team, assigned to negotiate terms on a US8.5 billion funding offer from the governments of France, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States, as well as the European Union, to support a just transition to a low carbon economy and a climate resilient society in South Africa.
- Daniel Mminele also recently stepped down as head of the Presidential Climate Finance Task Team, leaving the deal in serious doubt. Read more
On 2 November 2021, the South African government announced the historic partnership. In line with the Political Declaration to establish this partnership, partner countries offered to mobilise an initial $8.5 billion (R132 billion) over the next three to five years through a range of instruments, including grants and concessional finance, to support the implementation of South Africa’s revised Nationally Determined Contribution.
The Presidential Climate Finance Task Team, togetherwith the Asset and Liability Division from National Treasury, was tasked to analyse the offer with a view to advising cabinet on the deal’s composition, affordability, alignment with our regulatory environment, engage with partner countries; coordinate relevant government departments, development finance institutions, and the private sector; and oversee the development of relevant financing mechanisms and facilities to enable the flow of international climate finance to support South Africa’s just transition in the electricity, electric vehicles and green hydrogen sectors.
Related news: Lobby groups bemoan a lack of transparency on the climate finance deal
Despite extensive lobbying, to date no deal has been reached. An announcement was expected to be made on the deal ahead of COP27 in November last year which would channel most of the funding to transmission infrastructure. Read more
Fakir has accptede a position as Senior Advisor to United Arab Emirates’ COP28 team.The 28th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 28) to the UNFCCC will convene from 30 November to 12 December 2023. It will take place in the United Arab Emirates.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
