Who Has the Power? South Africa’s Energy Profiteers is Open Secrets’ first report examining the energy sector and climate crisis. The report shows who holds the power in South Africa’s energy sector and spotlights the key private players in the coal, gas, diesel, and renewable energy industries—who we call ‘energy profiteers’. We identify the private corporations that stand to benefit from maintaining the status quo, i.e. a reliance on fossil fuels, in South Africa’s energy sector. We also identify the corporations that stand to benefit from South Africa’s transition to new energy sources.
The corporations and individuals profiteering from fossil fuel use and those who stand profit from a transition to renewable energy
Climate Crisis Profiteers
PowerMapper
Meet South Africa’s Energy Profiteers
The PowerMapper is an interactive database which maps and profiles the ‘power players’ who benefit from the climate crisis and the transition to renewables. The database uses the conceptual framework developed in Open Secrets’ Who Has the Power? South Africa’s Energy Profiteers investigative report. We identify the private corporations that stand to benefit from maintaining the status quo, i.e. a reliance on fossil fuels, in South Africa’s energy sector. We also identify the corporations that stand to benefit from South Africa’s transition to new energy sources.
Submission to the UN Special Rapporteur on Climate Change
Submissions on Access to Information on Climate Change and Human Rights
On June 7th 2024, Open Secrets and the Access to Information Coalition for the Energy Sector (ATIC) submitted a report to the UN Special Rapporteur for Climate Change. The report recommends that South Africa ensures compliance with the Promotion of Access to Information Act, that the Information Regulator proactively enforces this, and that public entities uphold transparency and accountability principles.
The Corporations and Economic Crime Report
Volume 4: The Oil and Gas Majors
In South Africa, oil and gas giants such as Shell, TotalEnergies, and Impact Oil and Gas are aggressively pushing to expand exploration, despite fierce resistance from communities. This report examines how these oil and gas giants continue to profit from environmental destruction, particularly in South Africa, where communities resisting their activities face strong opposition.
The People's Hearing on Energy Profiteers
Centering communities in the just transition
Held on the 31st of January 2024, the People’s Hearing on Energy Profiteers was a platform for affected communities, activists and civil society experts to advocate for the prioritisation of human and environmental rights in the efforts to address South Africa’s energy crisis and the climate crisis. The hearing comes after growing concerns over the health, environmental, and economic impacts associated with the continued burning of coal and diesel, and the push for expensive and harmful alternatives like gas and nuclear power. These impacts are felt most by local communities.
