Day 1

Opening the Climate 360 conference, Deputy Head of the European Union Delegation to South Africa Raul de Luzenberger said there was no better moment to host the event than just after the United Nations Climate Change Conference.

Humanity must ensure that positive change comes out of the unprecedented social and economic turbulence caused by the convergence of climate change and the global Covid-19 pandemic, said businessman and global speaker Vusi Thembekwayo.

Phasing out South Africa’s dependence on coal for energy and switching to renewable energy sources will be cheaper for national energy utility Eskom, said Crispian Olver, executive director of the Presidential Climate Commission.

South Africa has everything it needs to make a success of the transition away from a fossil fuel-driven economy to a sustainable one, said German Ambassador to South Africa Andreas Peschke.

Sustainability is part of bus and truck manufacturer Scania’s strategy, and that strategy is focused on people, said two Scania employees.

Ambassador of France to South Africa Aurélien Lechevallier said biodiversity loss is a threat to human life, and climate change exacerbates the biodiversity crisis.

Young South African climate activist Akhona Xotyeni spoke about the importance of decentralising the climate conversation by bridging the gap between ecological and social justice.

The Ambassador of Portugal to South Africa, Manuel Carvalho, spoke about his country’s great strides in this transition, with more than half its electricity needs met by renewables.

Climate and Energy Counsellor at the Danish Embassy to South Africa Morten Holm van Donk said South Africa is on a “brave course” towards renewables.