South Africa has climbed about seven spots in the 2025 Climate Performance Index to 38, but it remains an overall low performer.
South Africa has climbed about seven spots in the 2025 Climate Performance Index to 38, but it remains an overall low performer.
South Africa has climbed about seven spots in the 2025 Climate Performance Index to 38, but it remains an overall low performer. There is high energy use, medium climate policy, low greenhouse gas emissions, and very low renewable energy.
South Africa key results: Source Climate Change Performance Index. 2025
South African ratings show that renewable energy deployment is not 1.5°C-compatible, hence it has a very low rating in all four of the Renewable Energy indicators. This shows that South Africa remains committed to long-term coal power. South Africa is among the 10 countries with the largest developed coal reserves. Therefore, there is a need for reductions in emissions, phase-outs of coal power stations, and a shift away from gas usage, as well as the implementation of a just energy transition toward renewable energy.
South Africa key results: Source Climate Change Performance Index. 2025
South Africa is one of the major carbon dioxide emitters in the world and the highest emitting country in Africa. Although South Africa’s greenhouse gas emissions have slightly decreased recently, they remain the major contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions. South Africa’s high emissions are due to its reliance on coal for electricity generation and industrial processes.
South Africa key results: Source Climate Change Performance Index. 2025
South Africa implemented the Climate Change Bill, which was signed into law in July 2024. The Climate Change Bill was South Africa’s first piece of legislation specifically aimed at addressing the effects and impacts of climate change. The Climate Change Act addresses major emitters and requires each city to develop and publish an adaptation plan.
South Africa key results: Source Climate Change Performance Index. 2025
This Post was submitted by Climate Scorecard South Africa Country Manager, Rugare Zhou.
List of References
- Burck, J., Uhlich, T., Bals, C., Höhne, N., Nascimento, L., and Wong, J.RESULTS Monitoring Climate Mitigation Efforts of 63 Countries plus the EU – covering more than 90% of the Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions. Climate Change Performance Index. 2025
- https://ccpi.org/country/zaf/