SA urged to use its international clout to pull in investment for its climate agenda

JOHANNESBURG - Climate experts have called on South African authorities to use their international muscle as Pretoria looks for investment for its climate agenda.

Government recently confirmed that the US had pulled out of a climate funding deal struck by rich nations to help developing nations transition to a low-carbon economy.

South Africa, Indonesia and Vietnam were among the first beneficiaries of grants and loans from the international partners group.

The termination of Washington's membership means withdrawal from financial packages under the Just Energy Transition partnership.

The move has left South Africa with a $1.5 billion funding gap to fill.

Leading global climate scientist, Sir David King, said that South Africa must leverage on its G20 presidency to get ahead of minor setbacks.

"Your weight on the international scene is way more than you may imagine. South Africa is in a very key position."

King was speaking at the Presidential Climate Commission’s meeting in Johannesburg on Friday.

"What you do is going to have an impact on the world."