Environmentalists call on Ramaphosa to phase out fossil fuels
Environmental groups are appealing to President Cyril Ramaphosa to consider the important step of phasing out all fossil fuels.
The Green Connection groundWork and Friends of the Earth have been speaking about their global warming concerns negotiators thrash out the issue at COP28 in Dubai.
Last month, the SA National Petroleum Company Bill was published for public comment.
It aims to create a state-owned oil company to manage the country's oil and gas resources.
The Green Connection's Liz Mcdaid is concerned about its impact.
"Why, on the eve of COP28 and when our government is going to negotiate for money to address the climate loss and damage that we are experiencing, why is it that at the same time, (Minerals and Energy) Minister Gwede Mantashe publishes a piece of legislation to form a national oil company, which will obviously take us the wrong way?"
GroundWork's Bobby Peek says it's confusing.
"South Africa's confused position between wanting to roll out renewables and adjust transition and a continual pursuance of oil, gas and coal as a normal elite contradiction that seeks to quiet down those that are seeking a just transition in order to make one believe they are serious."
