South African coal producers have responded to the global call for decarbonisation in noticeably different ways: from redefining themselves in the energy space to doubling down on producing coal to be burned in power stations around the world. They all agree coal still has a role to play, especially in countries facing energy poverty. But does this mean there are irreconcilable differences in the marriage between coal producers, utilities and their decarbonisation commitments ?

At the Africa Renewable Investment Summit (ARIS) 2023 there was broad agreement on the need to address coal miners’ Scope 1 emissions and Scope 2 emissions by reducing the energy consumption in operations and introducing renewable energy into the power mix on mine. The real challenge comes from reducing Scope 3 emissions up and down its value chain.

Sandra du Toit, Director, explores the tension between decarbonisation, energy poverty and economic support, and how they impact Scope 3 emission reductions.