South Africa

South Africa’s energy sector CO2 emissions rose from 451.58 million tonnes in 2015 to 478.61 million tonnes in 2019, making it the 12th largest CO2 emitting nation. There is a notable need to support South Africa to achieve a low-carbon energy transition and achieve national climate change targets. 

The country has launched the Hydrogen Society Roadmap (HSRM), which maintains a vision to leverage the renewable resources of South Africa to stimulate local demand and application for green hydrogen.

South Africa is part of the UNIDO's  Global Clean Hydrogen Programme (GEF-funded) and of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) Readiness Programme. 

1. The UNIDO's Child Project in South Africa, part of the Global Clean Hydrogen Programme funded by GEF,  focuses on the uptake of green hydrogen in industries of South Africa to promote industrial growth and inclusive sustainable development. In cooperation with key stakeholders, the project aims to enhance national institutional capacities, enable policy frameworks, and improve technological readiness for South Africa to meet its climate mitigation goals with green hydrogen.

2. The UNIDO's Project, funded by GCF, aims to enhance the readiness of South Africa’s Government to coordinate and implement green hydrogen related activities which are outlined in the HSRM. By supporting the Government of South Africa, this will maximize opportunities to strengthen the institutional coordination capacity of ministries to commercialize green hydrogen, invest in the decarbonization of hard-to-abate industries and establish strategic partnerships for advancing the domestic use of green hydrogen.