Stakeholder perspectives on engaging with South Africa’s Just Transition

13 May 2024

South Africa’s Climate Change Act seeks to establish a legislative framework to enable an effective response to climate change which includes a long term, just transition to a low-carbon and climate-resilient economy and society. It defines a just transition as a “shift towards a low-carbon, climate-resilient economy and society and ecologically sustainable economies and societies which contribute toward the creation of decent work for all, social inclusion and the eradication of poverty” (Republic of South Africa, 2022:5). The Presidential Climate Commission (PCC) was established in 2020 to guide South Africa’s national just transition. Its stakeholder engagement efforts contribute to laying a foundation and creating a platform for South Africa to work towards developing a truly just and people-centred transition, underpinned by recognition that the “major economic, social, and environmental decisions required for a just transition require social partners to forge a consensus around the transition” (PCC, 2022a:25). The PCC’s community and stakeholder engagements create a platform for the country to work towards developing a just and people-centred transition. Stakeholder engagements are important for facilitating and fostering a collaborative approach to problem solving and including a diversity of voices, as well as enhancing stakeholder buy-in, and legitimising the PCC. The PCC commissioned ICLEI Africa to build on these activities and develop a more granular stakeholder analysis focusing on the key sectors, provinces and societal actors relevant to South Africa’s just transition. The overall aim of this report is to enable the PCC to more effectively engage and collaborate with these actors.