Navigating a just transition to net zero emissions
ARUA-CD and TSITICA researcher, Dr Britta Rennkamp, discusses the complexities around South Africa’s path towards a just transition, addressing both the challenges and opportunities.
Following South Africa’s commitment to a just transition and an ambitious climate finance deal with leaders in Europe, the UK and the United States at COP26, stakeholders across the country have queried South Africa’s path towards a just transition.
In a recent article featured in Africa in Fact (Issue 60), Dr Britta Rennkamp from the African Climate and Development Initiative, along with Dr Murray Leibrandt from the African Centre of Excellence for Inequality Research and Dr Anda David from the Agence Francaise de Development, comment on the how South Africa will potentially navigate a just transition to net zero emissions. The article highlights the complexities around South Africa’s path towards a just transitions, stating “the term ‘just transition’ needs differentiated definitions and approaches from each of the diverse actors affected”.
The article highlights questions around navigating socio-technical transitions in a highly unequal society. Both Britta Rennkamp and Murray Leibrandt are team leaders for two of TSITICA's research themes centred around climate change, social inequality, sustainable livelihoods and assessing climate actions. In line with TSITICA’s work, the article stresses the importance of ensuring processes are inclusive of the most vulnerable. Understanding both the challenges and opportunities of the just transition deal is crucial for ensuring equitable inclusion of all stakeholders and recognising the past exclusion of vulnerable communities.
Read Issue 60 of Africa in Fact
The article referred to in the news piece was originally published by Africa in Fact (Issue 60): https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wUl0IXYCjR12hcbYGA66otIRmjoCEKRC/view