South Africa seeks billions in climate funds as it keeps coal plants open

South Africa pledged to slash emissions across its fleet of coal-fired power plants in a bid to secure $2.6-billion in climate finance. That’s despite seeking to alter the terms of a 2022 agreement by delaying the outright closure of three of the facilities. The plan, which involves the reduction of emissions at a number of units at the 14 plants operated by the state utility Eskom, was submitted to the World Bank affiliated Climate Investment Funds on Wednesday, South Africa’s presidency said in a response to queries. The country has now said it will close the Grootvlei, Hendrina and Camden plants at a later stage after initially agreeing to begin shutting them down from as early as next year.