Energy should enhance human life and society, but must be generated and used sustainably to help mitigate the harmful impacts of global warming and climate change.
WESSA supports South Africa’s goal to achieve net zero CO₂ emissions by 2050. Our Energy Policy promotes five key energy transitions to ensure a Just Transition that protects people, other species, and the planet.
In general, WESSA supports energy generation solutions that:
- Are assessed to be a combination of “best fit” and “minimal harm” to the specific country and local ecosystem conditions.
- Adhere to the principle of sustainable development (in which social, economic, and environmental considerations are evaluated and addressed).
- Employ the practice of collective stewardship in which all of society carries responsibility for addressing the challenge. But that such doesn’t absolve the polluter from paying, and importantly environmental justice principles must guide energy decisions, which includes enabling marginalised and disadvantaged communities to participate in the decision-making and beneficiation process.
- Promote more efficient and reduced per capita consumption
- Reduce or swop-out consumptive lifestyle and practices that are energy intensive for those that are less so, for instance reducing dependence on high-energy grown foods and clothes, composting organic waste, minimising food waste and more.