Raul de Luzenberger, Deputy Head of the European Union Delegation to South Africa

Opening the Climate 360 conference, Deputy Head of the European Union (EU) 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. The UN conference, commonly known as COP26, was held in Glasgow, Scotland, from 31 October to 12 November 2021.

“During this Climate 360 conference, we want to discuss and understand how to develop solutions at a local level by picking the brains of all the South Africans who have ideas on innovative projects that can address biodiversity, sustainable energy, the circular economy and climate adaptation,” he said.

“We intend to support the South African vision, commitment and leadership around the partnership driving the country’s economy, to find a more sustainable, renewable energy-based economic model.”

De Luzenberger said the EU aims to be climate neutral and climate resilient by 2050. Preliminary data shows that the EU’s greenhouse gas emissions decreased by 31% between 1990 and 2020, while its combined gross domestic product grew by more than 50% in the same 30-year period. In 2020, renewable energy overtook fossil fuels as the EU’s main source of electricity, and in November the EU chose to invest €1-billion in ways to take the chemicals, steel, cement, refineries and power sectors to net zero.

“Team Europe [the EU along with its 27 member states and the European Investment Bank] is the largest provider of climate finance, with close to $27-billion provided in 2020 and more to come,” he said.

De Luzenberger said that, at COP26, the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Climate Action launched a collaboration with Adaptation Without Borders, a global partnership working to improve and accelerate international action on adaptation. The European Commission has put forward an initial pledge of €700 000 for next year (2022).

“This global partnership intends to strengthen international cooperation and adaptation and build resilience. It’s so important in this specific context of developing countries and South Africa in particular. Africa is Europe’s sister continent; therefore, Europe cannot prosper without Africa, and Africa cannot prosper without Europe,” de Luzenberger said.

This is in addition to the $8.5-billion (R131-billion) climate finance deal, secured at COP26 between South Africa and the EU, Germany, France, the United States and the United Kingdom.

“Collective problems need collective action. So let’s roll up our sleeves and be part of the action to avoid dangerous levels of climate change,” de Luzenberger said.