This paper analyses the integration of climate and energy governance in South Africa. It identifies the current drivers and barriers in both sectors, focusing on clean development beyond the Clean Development Mechanism. The conceptual lens of the shadow of hierarchy is applied to analyse the role of both government and business. The paper finds that more coherence and collaboration between actors and their activities presents the key to the transition to a low-carbon economy in South Africa. The shadow of hierarchy only seems to trigger effective governance if the enforcement, content and time-frame for (potential) governmental action is sufficiently clear to all governance actors.