Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698141288619.pdf (South Africa)
WEBINAR ON A JUST TRANSITION TO A LOW CARBON, CLIMATE RESILIENT AND SUSTAINABLE ECONOMY AND A JUST SOCIETY Feedback And Recommendations Report Intergovernmental And Resource Matters Cluster Just Transition Webinar Series, Volume 1 1.
INTRODUCTION The National Development Plan (NDP), which was for poor and vulnerable people against the costs adopted in 2012, sets out the vision and framework associated with the transition, such as rising food, for pursuing radical socio-economic transformation in transport and energy prices, as well as job losses South Africa.

It sets key priorities for Government to that will likely occur due to new skills required.

eradicate poverty by 2030 and substantially reduce unemployment and inequality.
The NDP commits It is worth noting that there is consensus that the Just South Africa to transitioning to a society that is just, Transition will mainly occur through the energy sector.

inclusive, sustainable and resilient through Chapter This is due to the fact that South Africa’s electricity 5, titled transition to a low-carbon economy.

is generated from coal combustion.


In fact, 80% of South Africa’s electricity is generated from coal, while The NDP envisages that by 2030 South Africa will the remaining 20% comes from other sources, such have made headway in transitioning to a society as wind, solar, hydro and others.

This means that that is just, inclusive, sustainable and resilient.
It the South African economy is driven by fossil fuel- thus set out a framework and guiding principles based energy for both production, manufacturing to ensure that by 2030 South Africa’s transition and transportation, among many other services.

to a low-carbon, climate-resilient and sustainable Ultimately, the South African Just Transition will in all economy and society will be well underway.

The likelihood follow the Energy Just Transition pathway.
NDP acknowledges that the country’s commitment towards reducing its carbon footprint presents It is against this background and pursuant to challenges for the economy, which will require the Parliament’s Knowledge Management Strategy design of a more sustainable development path.
that the Parliamentary Research Unit hosted a webinar on 28 October 2021 under the theme Transitioning to a sustainable and resilient economy Is Just Transition a Pipe Dream in Light of the and society will require systemic and structural Slow Economic Growth?
The vexed question changes that should also see the use of South that participants faced during the webinar was Africa’s natural resources, including water, land and whether a Just Transition to a low carbon, climate- energy, resulting in appropriate economic and social resilient and sustainable economy and just society development that addresses the country’s triple remains a pipedream for South Africa, given the challenges of inequality, poverty and unemployment.

country’s slow economic growth.


The webinar This is in line with the NDPs call for special protection placed Parliament at the apex of the planning and 2 JUST TRANSITION WEBINAR SERIES, VOLUME 1 implementation of a Just Transition.

It emphasised This document provides feedback on what the importance of an activist Parliament that is transpired during the webinar, as well as responsive to people’s needs and promotes equality.
to highlight some recommendations with All speakers reiterated that a just transition requires implementation of the Just Transition.

regard to the role of Parliament in the decisive leadership that knows what they do not know.

In this regard, Parliamentarians should be capacitated to understand all dimensions of the Just Transition to enable them to conduct oversight from an informed position.
The webinar also revealed that a Just Transition may be a pipe dream in light of the slow economic growth in South Africa.

3 JUST TRANSITION WEBINAR SERIES, VOLUME 1 2.


OVERVIEW OF PRESENTATIONS ON THE JUST TRANSITION IN SOUTH AFRICA The webinar, which was facilitated by Water Chair in Social Justice and Law Professor at and Sanitation sector specialist Mr Thomani the University of Stellenbosch and Former Manungufala, assumed the form of a panel Public Protector [Focus Area – Implications discussion, consisting of external experts who of Just Transition on Social Justice].
provided a factual background on the dimensions • Ms Katlego Ncongwane – Lead Scientist: of the Just Transition.

These presenters were: Health Application Research, South African Weather Services.
[Focus Area - The Impact • Professor Mthunzi Mdwaba - The first of Air Pollution on Public Health] African IOE Vice-President to the ILO, Global Spokesperson for Employers; Vice Internal presenters included the managers of Chairperson of the Governing Body and IOE’s the Knowledge and Information Services (Dr Chairperson for Business Human Rights & Leon Gabriel) and the Core Business Support Responsible Business Conduct.
[Focus Area (Ms Ressida Begg) Divisions, who contextualised – Just Transition and Future of Work].

the Just Transition within the Knowledge • Dr Stanley Semelane - (Renewable energy Management Strategy and Oversight and expert) Senior Researcher Climate Change Accountability Model of Parliament, respectively.
Services at Council for Scientific and Industrial Whilst the intention was for a panel of researchers Research (CSIR) [Focus Area – Dimensions of in the Intergovernmental and Resource Matters Just Transition – Technical Presentation].
Cluster (Ms Nontobeko Qwabe, Ms Tembisa Siyo- Professor Thuli Madonsela - Law Trust Pepeteka, Mr Nhlanhla Ginindza) to respond to issues • 4 JUST TRANSITION WEBINAR SERIES, VOLUME 1 raised by the external experts and/or raise brief webinar was whether a Just Transition to a low discussion points on some of the questions posed carbon, climate resilient and sustainable economy during the webinar, time constraints prevented and society remains a pipedream for South Africa, them from doing so.
This section nonetheless given the country’s slow economic growth.

provides an overview of both the presentations by the invited speakers (external experts and In general, the discussion revealed that the Just Division Managers), as well as challenges and Transition will affect all dimensions of society at recommendations raised by the internal researchers.

varying degrees of severity.


In other words, it will 2.1 ISSUES EMERGING FROM THE PRESENTATIONS The vexed question for discussion during the have both environmental, social and economic impacts and opportunities.

The Just Transition will have implications for Food and Water Security; Social Justice; Future of Work; Public Health; and Governance.
5 JUST TRANSITION WEBINAR SERIES, VOLUME 1 Dr Stanley Semelane holding those responsible for its implementation accountable and ensuring that no one is left behind.

• Knowledge Management Dr L. Gabriel, Manager of the Knowledge and Information Services Division and custodian of Parliament’s Knowledge Management Strategy, noted that the main aim of the strategy is to develop knowledge and capacitate the parliamentary populace in general and Members of Parliament in particular.
The webinar series is one of the mechanisms to deliver on this mandate.

He emphasised that knowledge and capacity development will play a critical role in the refinement of the Oversight and Accountability Model and its subsequent implementation.
• Dimensions of a Just Transition Dr S. Semelane, expert on renewable energy from the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) indicated that whilst the Just Transition will affect various sectors, such as transport, agriculture, human settlements and mining, it will mainly impact the energy sector in South Africa.

Furthermore, to enable Discussions confirmed that a Just Transition may be a pipe dream in light of the slow economic growth in South Africa.
It noted that the country will have to rely on funding outside of the national revenue fund.

The high unemployment rate and increasing inequality in the country constrain the ability of the Government to transition to a low carbon economy.

Parliament should be at the forefront of the implementation of the Just Transition by 6 JUST TRANSITION WEBINAR SERIES, VOLUME 1 Ms Katlego Ncongwane a just energy transition, green investment and a just transition energy fund should be established.
The green investment should adopt a shared-value principle that will create value for communities while the just transition energy fund will address the socio-economic impacts that might arise from the transition.

In addition, potential losers in the energy transition, such as coal sector workers, need to be protected.

This fund can contribute to social protection plans for these workers and other affected parties.
Professor Mthunzi Mdwaba • The impact of air pollution on public health • The future of work Professor M. Mdwaba, chairperson of Productivity Ms Katlego Ncongwane, lead scientist in health South Africa, noted that a Just Transition will have a application research from the South African profound impact on the future of work.
He submitted Weather Service, delivered a presentation on that the Transition should focus on the people and the devastating effects of poor air quality (air that prudent leadership will be paramount.

The Just pollution) on the health and wellbeing of people.

Transition will create a new world of work where She reported that approximately seven million new skills, new jobs and new ways of doing things people die from air pollution every year.

Poor air will be required.


Technology will define the future quality is also linked to many diseases, such as of work in the era of Just Transition.

However, the diabetes, stroke and lung cancer.

Therefore, a Just Just Transition should not transform the lives of Transition could save lives, as it would eliminate people by impacting their quality of life negatively.
greenhouse gas emissions and other airborne To this end, a new approach is required that involves pollutants, which negatively affect human health.

additional innovative and creative tools to intervene, arrived at through dialogue and consultation.
7 JUST TRANSITION WEBINAR SERIES, VOLUME 1 Professor Thuli Madonsela • Social Justice • The role of Parliament in overseeing the Just Transition Professor Thuli Madonsela, Law Trust Chair in Social Justice, Law Professor at the University of Stellenbosch and Former Public Protector, emphasised the centrality of social justice in the implementation of the Just Transition.
She defined social justice as the enjoyment of all rights and freedoms by every person, and a reflection of just, fair and equitable redistribution of all resources.

Professor Madonsela noted the importance of the Just Transition ensuring that economic growth happens in a socially just manner, in line with the Constitution.

This means that everyone counts.


Therefore, in addressing climate change, Parliament should use its mandate to advance equality in whatever is being done and ensure redistribution of resources to all.

Previously disadvantaged people should not be the losers in the new renewal energy opportunities created in their towns.

The Just Transition is an investment in peace, as it will help to address poverty, hunger and inequality, which are the main underlying causes of civil unrest.
Ms R. Begg, manager of the Core Business Support Division, highlighted a number of prerequisites that should be in place to ensure effective outcomes- based oversight of the Just Transition.
These include effective oversight mechanisms to promote a transparent and accountable executive; effective oversight systems to promote a culture of integration, coherence, collaboration and cooperation amongst committees; programming of targeted focus areas with a view to ensuring that committees collaborate on matters of common interest.
Furthermore, Members and staff should have a common understanding of especially chapter 5 of the National Development Plan, which contains the country’s vision for transition to a low-carbon economy, and its linkages to the relevant development agendas, such as the Sustainable Development Goals.

The Oversight and Accountability Model of Parliament is in the process of being refined and re-focussed to enhance oversight and accountability by Government, as well as to ensure integrated oversight.
The recording and copies of presentations are accessible on the parliamentary website: https://tinyurl.com/z7dejpe6 8 JUST TRANSITION WEBINAR SERIES, VOLUME 1 • Access to natural resources Ms T. Siyo-Pepeteka, Ms N. Qwabe and Mr N. Ginindza, land, agriculture and fisheries sector specialists in the Parliamentary Research Unit, provided a holistic overview of contemporary challenges facing South Africa.

Chief among them are governance, access to and utilisation of natural resources.
Access to water in the country is currently inequitable.

A large proportion of people do not have access to clean water in their homes and are dependent on either a communal water point or other sources, such as rivers, which are often polluted.

At the same time, water-intensive industries, often related to fossil fuel extraction and processing and agriculture, use significantly more than their fair share of water.
Wastewater is also seldom sufficiently treated before being discharged into the environment, while water recycling is rare.

economic opportunities.

Furthermore, little attention Unequal distribution of land and inequitable is paid to food security and opportunities for local land uses perpetuate poverty and inequality.

food production.

Food production and consumption In fact, the land reform process is very slow.
are unsustainable, exacerbated by the distance Unsustainable practices in both agriculture and that food has to travel.

Human consumption and mining result in carbon emissions, poor local air the use of non-biodegradable products have also quality, and compromised ecosystems, which resulted in the need for more landfill sites.

ultimately impoverish communities.


Economic activities associated with, among others, agriculture The issues of capacity, knowledge and skills and mining, along with a growing population in Government are critical for the successful and increased urbanisation, compete with the planning, management and implementation of a conservation of biodiversity.

The mining of rare Just Transition to a low carbon, climate resilient earth elements to provide for the manufacturing and sustainable economy and society.
However, of goods and services for a just transition to a low by its own admission, challenges of corruption, carbon economy, such as solar panels, batteries and poor governance and lack of accountability and associated electronic items, could lead to a myriad transparency inhibit Government’s efforts to of negative impacts on the natural environment.

provide strong, coordinated and aligned institutional Unplanned urbanisation and urban sprawl have investment and development environment.
This, resulted in spatial inequalities with unaffordable in turn, negatively impacts Government’s efforts transport costs, especially for those living far from to deliver inclusive basic services to the poor.

and policy direction, creating an unpredictable 9 JUST TRANSITION WEBINAR SERIES, VOLUME 1 3.

RECOMMENDATIONS Parliament serve as enablers to facilitate a just transition to a low carbon, climate resilient and sustainable economy and society.
Its vision is to be an activist and responsive people’s Parliament that improves the quality of life of South Africans and ensures enduring equality in society.

This vision finds expression in a mission to represent the people and to ensure government by the people in fulfilling its constitutional functions of passing laws and overseeing executive action.
In this regard, Parliament should consider the following recommendations: 3.1 CAPACITY BUILDING The Just Transition is a new concept that is not yet fully understood.

As noted during the webinar, enabling Parliament to effectively exercise oversight of the transition requires skills, knowledge, data and understanding of the concept.
It is thus recommended that Members of Parliament embark In closing, Ms E. Saptoe, Senior Researcher responsible for the Intergovernmental and Resources Matters Cluster, remarked that this webinar marks the beginning of a knowledge and capacity development process towards deeper scrutiny and insights for effective oversight by Parliament.
She further noted that the focus of the webinar was deliberately on the future of work and social justice, as the impact of a Just Transition will be felt acutely by all sectors of society if it is not done in a manner that is fair, equitable and transparent.

The debate on Just Transition will continue through the webinar series and reports will be produced for Members of Parliament to inform them of the oversight implications for Parliament.
The vision and mission of the Sixth Democratic 10 JUST TRANSITION WEBINAR SERIES, VOLUME 1 on targeted workshops or training programmes on all dimensions of the Just Transition to enable them to identify appropriate areas of oversight, conduct oversight and legislate with the requisite knowledge and insight, where required.

This will be in line with the strategic plan of Parliament and its associated knowledge management strategy.
Parliament should also consider participating in streamlining the regulatory environment and modelling beyond the formulation of legislation, by hosting relevant colloquiums and workshops.

3.2 INTEGRATED OVERSIGHT AND LAW MAKING PROCESS In addition, the oversight and law making process of Parliament should consider past, present and future damage caused to individuals, communities and the natural environment.
Moreover, legislation on the Just Transition should provide opportunities to improve The NDP acknowledges that poor and vulnerable the situations of disenfranchised communities.

So, people will be disproportionately affected by the for example, there should be clear plans on how Just Transition.

It thus demands that the transitioning coal mine workers will be protected from job losses process be approached cautiously.

Moreover, when coal mines are closed.


In the same vein, the NDP calls for special protection for this part practical plans should be put in place to indicate how of the population against the costs associated renewable energy projects would improve access with the transition, such as rising food, transport to energy or benefit the communities at large.

and energy prices, as well as job losses that will likely occur due to new skills required.
It thus Finally, the era of the law that seeks to protect becomes clear that ensuring that the country’s the environment without taking into consideration transition to a low-carbon economy happens in the needs of the people should cease.

The law a judicious manner calls for integrated oversight should provide for both environmental protection that encapsulates all its different dimensions.

and social justice.

This can only be achieved through integrated parliamentary processes.
Further, the implementation of the Just Transition programme should be informed by procedural, distributive and restorative justice.

This means that Parliament should use its oversight and public participation functions to ensure that Just Transition programmes and/or projects are consultative and inclusive by including marginalised groups in decision-making.

It should be clear from the onset who will reap the benefits, who will pay and how these responsibilities will be distributed.
11 JUST TRANSITION WEBINAR SERIES, VOLUME 1 Parliament should thus consider enhancing the effectiveness of its oversight and accountability function by improved cooperation with relevant stakeholders, such as provincial legislatures, non- governmental organisations, Think Tanks and civil society.

For example, Members of Parliament based in specific provinces and local stakeholders can conduct regular oversight without waiting for sector-specific Committees to visit those areas.
3.3 ACCESS TO AND GOVERNANCE OF NATURAL RESOURCES • Equitable Access to Land Parliament should use its legislative and oversight functions to ensure that policy and The Presidential Panel on Climate Change laws passed, as well as administrative practices recommends that land reform must contribute by the Executive, promote equitable access to towards the achievement of a ‘just transition’ land for agriculture, housing and livelihoods.
to a low-carbon and climate-resilient economy by promoting sustainable land-use practices in ways that create jobs and livelihoods, as well as responding to climate variability and ensure the restoration of protected areas.

People depend on land-based natural resources such as food, shelter, water and medicines for their livelihoods.
However, the unsustainable use of land unfortunately results in land degradation, with agriculture being a dominant sector in driving land degradation through unsustainable agricultural practices.

Mining is a further major contributor to land degradation, as it often leaves land that is contaminated and un-rehabilitated at the end of the mine’s lifecycle, which becomes unusable.
Land degradation has not only generated a significant amount of greenhouse gas emissions, but has also resulted in local people losing a valuable livelihood asset.

To address these and other challenges identified during the webinar, the following recommendations are made: • Tenure Security Parliament should pass laws or enhance existing laws to improve tenure security that will encourage adaptation in the land sector.
Tenure arrangements should not be limited to freehold rights, but also access rights to resources to ensure adaptation strategies, such as mobility and migration, are not impeded.
• Integrated Development Plans (IDPs) Parliament should consider using its legislative function to review the core components that should be contained in Integrated Development Plans, as contained in the Municipal Systems Act, with a view to ensuring that spatial planning becomes a mandatory component of IDPs, as stated in the guidelines for land use management.

Further, land use planning should be contextualised within the IDP objectives.
12 JUST TRANSITION WEBINAR SERIES, VOLUME 1 • Economic Development and Poverty Eradication Strategies Parliament should use its oversight function to ensure that when departments present their economic development and poverty eradication strategies, these encourage livelihood diversification strategies, which are essential to address land use change and its associated impacts.
For example, strategies should include a focus on ensuring that communities earn income from other activities, such as eco-tourism and other non-farming activities.
3.4 COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS Parliament should engage the relevant department/s • Investment in Research and Development to conduct cost-benefit analysis studies across the economy of South Africa that will determine Parliament should use its oversight function to the indirect effects and costs of food and energy ensure that relevant departments, through their production on the broader goals of environmental strategic plans and budgets, facilitate investment sustainability, social cohesion and the Just Transition.
in research and development on the impact of climate change on the land use sector and possible mitigation and adaptation strategies.

The key goal of 3.5 RE-SKILLING AND JOB CREATION climate research is to reduce uncertainty associated with climate change and provide timely and Parliament should use its oversight function to relevant information to inform planning processes ensure that re-skilling and sustainable job creation and develop appropriate adaptation responses.
projects are piloted in the coal value chain and associated businesses in an inclusive and consultative manner to assess costs and benefits prior to wholesale exit in coal-driven economic activities.

• Mine Rehabilitation and Land Care Programme Parliament should use its monitoring and oversight, as well as representation functions to lobby the relevant department/s to plan and budget for major mine rehabilitation and land care programme initiatives.
This will help with job creation and supporting livelihood opportunities in communities while addressing ecological damage.

13 JUST TRANSITION WEBINAR SERIES, VOLUME 1 3.6 TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY Relevant departments should create interactive dashboards to improve transparency and accountability that will factor in key indicators on Just Transition.

Parliament could then use its oversight mechanisms to assess whether commitments are realistic and deliver on objectives.
This approach will improve access to information for interested and affected stakeholders.

3.7 STRENGTHENING GOVERNANCE Proper implementation of the Just Transition will require that governance in the public sector is strengthened and that corrective action and consequence management to deter or eliminate deviations is implemented.
Parliament should consider working closely with the South African Local Government Association, Department of Public Service and Administration, Department of Performance Monitoring and Evaluation and the office of the Auditor-General to ensure better governance, particularly at provincial and local government levels, by addressing identified shortcomings.
14 JUST TRANSITION WEBINAR SERIES, VOLUME 1JUSTTRANSITION INTERGOVERNMENTAL AND RESOURCE MATTERS CLUSTER CLUSTER RESEARCHERS WHAT WE DO: Ester Saptoe Senior Researcher The Research Unit offers research support to individual Members of Parliament, to Committees esaptoe@parliament.gov.za and to the Houses.
Researchers proactively provide: Mlungisi Biyela Researcher: PSA/PME • Summaries and analysis of Bills • Analysis of the State of the Nation Address (SONA), Budget Votes, Annual Performance mbiyela@parliament.gov.za Plans, Quarterly Performance and Nontobeko Qwabe Researcher: Agriculture nqwabe@parliament.gov.za Nhlanhla Ginindza Researcher: Forestry and Fisheries nginindza@parliament.gov.za Expenditure Reports, and Annual Reports • Briefing papers in support of Committee meetings on topical oversight issues • Comparative studies and international best practices • Briefing papers to prepare for oversight visits and on-site oversight visit support • Papers in support of House debates Tembisa Siyo-Pepeteka On request, researchers will provide briefings and Researcher: Land Reform and Rural Development presentations to Committees, as well as research tpepeteka@parliament.gov.za support to individual Members of Parliament.
Thomani Manungufala Researcher: Water and Sanitation tmanungufala@parliament.gov.za Sisanda Loni Researcher: Tourism sloni@parliament.gov.za Carmelita April Administrative Assistant capril@parliament.gov.za Our Values Non-partisan; Impartial; Objective; Confidential Quality: Methodological, sound and timely Feedback For any comments or feedback, please email Ester Saptoe esaptoe@parliament.gov.za 15 JUST TRANSITION WEBINAR SERIES, VOLUME 1 www.parliament.gov.za 16 JUST TRANSITION WEBINAR SERIES, VOLUME 1