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Climate change remains one of the most urgent global environmental challenges that countries have to grapple with. Africa is one of the continents that are likely to be hit hard by climate change. South Africa recognises the need to create legal and policy frameworks that give the most affected and vulnerable sections of society the ability to adapt to climate change impacts, as well as benefit from innovative solutions to address these impacts in promoting their standard of living and economic competitiveness. However, research, policy dialogue and engagement has been minimal and fragmented with more pronounced government policy articulation and less civil society input and engagement with policy. Against this background the effectiveness of the “renewable energy procurement programme” issued by the South African government will be discussed. The workshop brings together policy makers, community groups, corporations and scholars to engage with cross cutting issues particularly access to renewable energy and the effectiveness of the legal and policy framework on renewable energy and climate change. Strategies towards climate change mitigation and the solutions that renewable energy presents in addressing energy access and realising socio-economic rights will be discussed. Moreover, the research that is to be presented aims at enabling South Africa and African countries to shape the international obligations regarding mitigation, adaptation and low carbon development that respond to African needs and priorities.