President Ramaphosa Hails PCC’s Leadership as South Africa Strengthens Global Climate Standing

Tshwane, 5 December 2025 – President Cyril Ramaphosa has praised the Presidential Climate Commission (PCC) for positioning South Africa as a respected, principled and pragmatic leader in global climate action, as he delivered remarks at the 20th Ordinary Session of the Commission on Friday.

Addressing commissioners, government representatives, labour, business and civil society, President Ramaphosa credited the PCC for five years of work that has “elevated our country’s voice and stature in the global climate effort” and helped steer South Africa’s climate transition through one of the most challenging periods in the international climate landscape.

Rising Global Influence Amid Climate Turbulence

Despite the world being “way off track” in meeting the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals, Ramaphosa said South Africa has remained firm in its commitments, and has even strengthened its climate ambition.

He warned that 2024 was recorded as the warmest year yet, with the world on course to exceed the 1.5°C threshold, while several countries, particularly in the Global North, have shown signs of “climate action backsliding.”

In contrast, Ramaphosa said, South Africa has stayed the course.

“Our reputation has grown as a respected, principled, and above all pragmatic contributor to the global climate effort,” he noted.

He highlighted South Africa’s influence at the G20 Summit, where global leaders reaffirmed their commitment to scaling up climate finance for developing nations and supporting Just Energy Transition Platforms. Significant pledges were also made towards expanding renewable energy across Africa, an outcome Ramaphosa said is linked to the PCC’s strong advocacy for equity and climate justice.

A Five-Year Record of Climate Progress

Ramaphosa recounted the Commission’s significant milestones since its establishment:

• Ambitious emissions targets: The PCC’s 2021 recommendations pushed South Africa toward a stronger Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC).
• The Just Transition Framework (2022): Clarifying South Africa’s long-term low-carbon pathway and embedding just transition principles into government planning and budgeting.
• The Just Energy Transition Implementation Plan (2023–2027): A credible, investment-ready roadmap for transition financing, now used in international climate finance negotiations.
• Passage of the Climate Change Act (2024): “A crowning achievement,” Ramaphosa said, made possible through broad collaboration led by the PCC.
• Sector-wide advisory work: Including support on the energy crisis, Eskom restructuring, new adaptation strategies, municipal readiness assessments, and a national climate finance landscape report.

“These achievements are extraordinary for a mere five-year period,” Ramaphosa said. “And what I have listed is by no means exhaustive.”

A People-Centred Transition Remains the Priority

Ramaphosa stressed that South Africans must see and feel the benefits of the just transition, not just the commitments on paper.

“Many still feel disempowered,” he said, calling for stronger community participation and more visible socio-economic improvements such as new jobs, enterprise opportunities, energy access, and healthy environments.

He reaffirmed that the transition cannot succeed unless workers, youth, women, people with disabilities, and vulnerable communities are included at every stage.

“The phrase ‘leave no one behind’ underpins our national effort, and its currency continues to rise in the international climate deliberations. This is thanks to your work,” he told the Commission.

Honouring the Outgoing Commission and the Road Ahead

As the first cohort of commissioners concludes its five-year tenure, the President expressed deep appreciation for their service, describing their impact as “seminal” and their Five-Year Legacy and Review report as a future reference point for global climate leadership.

He announced that nominations for the new cohort of commissioners are under consideration and appointments will be made soon.

“I have the utmost confidence that the new Commission will continue to put into practice the vision we set ourselves five years ago,” he said.

With implementation now the central national challenge, Ramaphosa urged the Commission and all stakeholders to accelerate delivery.

“The task now is to scale up and speed up implementation to deliver the outcomes our people need,” he declared.

A Call for Courage and Determination

President Ramaphosa closed his address with a reaffirmation of South Africa’s commitment to a fair, inclusive climate transition.

“As a country, we remain committed to moving forward with courage and determination to ensure that the Just Transition leaves no one behind.”

He thanked the Commission for its service, saying: “You have done your country proud.”