It was good to hear from South Africa’s Industrial Development Corporation last week that South Africa’s green hydrogen positioning statement is being drafted for presentation at the upcoming twenty-seventh United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 27), which is scheduled to take place in Egypt from November 7 to18. At COP 26, South Africa managed to secure a pledge of $8.5-billion to carry out the start of a just energy transition.
This year we need to reinforce our position and take the opportunity to put our best green hydrogen foot forward. Failure by us to do so will see others streak ahead, not the least of them being Australia, Chile, Canada and Saudi Arabia, this despite South Africa having very competitive natural resources, land, metals, skills and pilot projects successfully pointing the way.
But as new Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says: “Natural advantages only get one to the start line. Winning the race, leading the world, requires investment and innovation and courage and commitment – and it is a race, no doubt about that.” His words relate to the generational opportunity to enter the green hydrogen field for the good of the planet and the South African people.