How we can advance SA’s just transition in 2022

The transition to a low or net-zero carbon economy is here. The United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow last November called for rapid action to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement. This means substantially reducing global greenhouse gas emissions to limit the global temperature increase in this century to not more than 2 °C above preindustrial levels, states strategy consulting organisation EY-Parthenon Africa leader Paul O’Flaherty. O’Flaherty highlights two points. The first is that transitioning to a low-carbon economy will not happen overnight; the second is that the transition must come in the form of a “just transition” –  one that secures the future and livelihoods of affected workers and their communities and includes dialogue between workers and their unions, employers, government and communities.