The Green Connection is of the opinion that the sudden dismissal of Dion George as South Africa’s Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment – announced last week, in the middle of COP30 could risk undermining the country’s climate leadership at a critical moment. Together with several civil society organisations, The Green Connection has written an open letter to President Cyril Ramaphosa, expressing “serious concern” about the absence of formal ministerial representation at the negotiations currently underway in Belém, Brazil, and ahead of the G20 Summit, this coming weekend.

According to the open letter, COP30 is unfolding at a time when global climate negotiations are reaching a tipping point. Countries are debating critical issues such as adaptation and mitigation finance, loss and damage, and the support mechanisms required for climate-vulnerable nations, which includes South Africa. The Green Connection says that our country’s absence from the ministerial table may weaken our ability to effectively negotiate for the resources and support required to advance a fair and sustainable Just Energy Transition at home.

“South Africa has always been a strong voice for African priorities in climate negotiations. To recall the Minister in the middle of COP may send a troubling signal about our commitment,” says The Green Connection’s Lisa Makaula. “This gap in leadership may raise questions about our seriousness but could also reduce our influence in shaping decisions that will directly affect our energy future, economic stability, and community resilience.”

The organisations warn that the timing of the dismissal is especially concerning as the country prepares for the G20 Summit, where climate ambition, energy transitions, and financing commitments will again be central. Ensuring stable, credible leadership at these global platforms, they argue, is essential for safeguarding South Africa’s diplomatic standing and its ability to secure meaningful climate and economic outcomes.

“It is difficult to understand why such a disruptive change had to take place in the middle of the world’s most important climate forum,” adds Makaula. “On the one hand, it could create the perception that South Africa is not fully committed to or ready for climate leadership. This is a risk we simply cannot afford, especially when climate impacts are already being felt daily by vulnerable communities. On the other hand, and maybe more importantly, since South Africa needs around R250-billion in adaptation investment from 2026 to 2035 – based on the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) – the country’s absence from these critical discussions and important global platforms could put our ability to secure such finance at risk.”

The Green Connection, along with its civil society partners, is calling on the Presidency and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment to urgently ensure a strong, empowered, and informed delegation leads South Africa’s engagement at COP30. The organisations emphasise that consistent leadership is vital for reinforcing the country’s climate commitments and maintaining its credibility on the global stage.