US$8.5-billion climate finance deal with some of the world’s richest nations could serve as a blueprint for other coal-dependent countries, the head of its negotiating team said.
Other nations that are in talks to benefit from similar arrangements are Indonesia, Vietnam and India “Initial discussions are taking place and as we go along we will be sharing with countries that may be looking at similar programmes,” he said. While transitioning electricity generation away from coal will be the focus of the deal, money also may be allocated to kick-start green hydrogen and electric vehicle industries in South Africa, according to Mminele.
“I doubt that we could proclaim success if we make it worse and add to what exists,” said Mminele. “The debt problems are part and parcel of what the solution is meant to help address. Our partners are well aware of that.”