Yes, but wait: Botswana’s approach to coal, COP26 :: Mmegi Online

As more than 40 countries agreed to phase out coal at the Glasgow climate summit last week, Botswana signed on but with conditions. Authorities say a balance will be struck between tapping the billions of tonnes lying unused in the country, energy security for Batswana, powering economic development and adhering to climate commitments. Staff Writer, MBONGENI MGUNI reports

Last week, the Botswana delegation at the global UN climate summit in Glasgow signed a commitment, along with more than 40 other countries, pledging to ease the country’s use of coal. Critically, however, the local delegation declined to sign a key clause in the deal, which would have required Botswana to commit itself to not issuing any new coal licences.

Botswana was not unique in this conditional approval. Several countries placed their own Ts and Cs on the deal, while others, including major players such as the United Kingdom, which was hosting the summit, declined to fix a date to phase out fossil fuels.

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