Circular economy, green hydrogen and a fair energy transition

Project Description
The project aims to generate project-specific research in the fields of just-energy transition, green hydrogen and circular economy. Research will be on the social challenges involved as South Africa plans to move away from its heavy reliance on coal and into more renewable energy, strengthening bilateral partnerships in green hydrogen networks between the Netherlands and South Africa (and Namibia) and connecting the understanding of circularity among stakeholders. Besides the research, the output would include public lectures, a scientific network with local researchers, and round table discussions with local researchers and other stakeholders including those from the government, private sector and trade unions.

Project Background
South Africa is the top carbon emitting country in Africa and among the top 15 global emitters. Coal makes about 85 per ent contribution to South Africa’s energy supply but its market has been shrinking as renewable energy becomes more profitable. A boost was given to the transition from coal with an initial $8 billion agreement reached with the EU, UK, US, France and Germany at COP26. While positive in terms of climate change, this transition is a threat to employment of workers like coal miners and its consequences should be mitigated in a country with a high unemployment rate of about 34 per cent.