President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Dr Crispian Olver as the new deputy chairperson of the Presidential Climate Commission (PCC), with effect from January 1, 2025.

This follows the retirement of Valli Moosa, who served as PCC deputy chairperson since its inception in 2020.

Olver has served as the executive director of the PCC, supporting Moosa, since the start of the commission. 

The PCC, which is chaired by Ramaphosa, was constitutred following recommendations from the Presidential Jobs Summit in 2018 when social partners agreed to a creation of a multistakeholder body to coordinate and oversee the just transition towards a low-carbon, inclusive and climate change-resilient economy and society.

The commission has since been enacted as a Schedule 3A public entity with the signing of the Climate Change Act by Ramaphosa in July this year. 

In an October 27 media release, the Presidency said Olver brings not only his experience in the PCC, but a wealth of skills and expertise, having served in the first democratic government in various capacities.

This includes serving as director-general of the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism from 1999 to 2005, a position in which he led the crafting much of the climate policy and environmental legislation, as well as leading South Africa’s hosting of the World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002.

“The President welcomes and congratulates Dr Olver in his new role and has urged him and the entire commission to continue working towards forging social dialogue and engagement in ensuring that South Africa’s climate change response and just transition is inclusive and champions socioeconomic interest in pursuit of South Africa’s global targets to address the climate crisis,” the Presidency says.

“On behalf of the commission, President Ramaphosa would like to thank the outgoing deputy chairperson Mr Valli Moosa for his relentless service and dedication to the commission and for successfully steering it since its establishment in 2020,” it adds.

PCC

Meanwhile, the PCC has welcomed Olver’s new appointment.

“Dr Crispian Olver brings not only his experience in the PCC as its erstwhile executive director but a wealth of skills and expertise. He has served in the first democratic government in various capacities and was instrumental in the early development of climate policy and environmental legislation, as well as the establishment of the local government system in South Africa.

“Collectively, as the commission, we congratulate Dr Olver in his new role and express our confidence in him to continue to strengthen the commission, particularly during this critical period as the PCC transitions into a public entity in terms of the Climate Change Act recently enacted by President Ramaphosa,” says Moosa.

The PCC notes that Olver will champion South Africa’s ambition to achieve a just transition that advances the country’s interests; protects vulnerable workers and communities; contributes to investment, growth, and sustainable jobs; and supports the global fight against climate change.

“As I take up this new responsibility, I want to express my thanks to the President for his vote of confidence, and importantly, the outgoing deputy chairperson Mr Valli Moosa, who provided us with leadership and vision in the initial stages of the commission and positioning it as a highly transparent and engaging multi-stakeholder platform in the country’s climate action discourse. 

“The PCC will continue to forge social dialogue and ensure that our country’s climate change response and just transition is inclusive and champions our socio-economic interest. In the same vein, I would like to encourage our social partners to continue to take a keen interest and actively participate in our work, so that we can build a just and inclusive society, together,” says Olver.