The Presidential Climate Commission (PCC) welcomes the acceptance of the Just Transition Framework by President Cyril Ramaphosa on behalf of government. This is a major step in the country’s climate response and in achieving a just transition in South Africa.

The PCC was established in December 2020 as an advisory body on South Africa’s journey to a net-zero economy and climate resilient society. The PCC unanimously adopted the Just Transition Framework at its Sixth Meeting held on the 27th of May 2022 following months of research and intense consultations with various social partners and communities across the country. The framework sets out the policy measures and undertakings by different social partners to minimise the social and economic impacts of the climate transition, and to improve the livelihoods of those must vulnerable to climate change.

The President is both Head of State and Chairperson of the Commission, giving unparalleled attention to the climate challenge at the highest level of government. In a meeting today between PCC Commissioners and the President, the President undertook to champion the framework within government, informed by the aspirations of workers, social partners, and our communities.

“Addressing climate change requires significant and unprecedented transformations across all sectors of the economy, with opportunities and challenges. Workers, communities, and poor people, whose lives and livelihoods are tied to high-emitting industries, may be particularly affected. It is for that reason that the PCC developed the recommendations for the just transition in a manner that supports and empowers impacted groups”- said Valli Moosa, Deputy Chairperson of the Commission.

While there are clear areas of consensus on achieving a just transition, there has not yet been a single policy framework that sets out the vision, principles and interventions that will give effect to this transition, as agreed to by all social partners.

The Framework outlines a set of recommendations on “A Just Transition Framework for South Africa,” that are aimed at bringing coherence to just transition planning in the country, with shared vision for the just transition, principles to guide the transition, and policies and governance arrangements to give effect to the transition.

The PCC further recommends that “A Just Transition Framework for South Africa” is located within the central planning system of government, specifically in the national development plan, the medium-term strategic framework, annual performance plans, and annual budgeting processes, with each government department required to define their roles in relation to these objectives and the implementation of the framework.

“While the framework is not an implementation plan, it presents an organising frame for us to coordinate our efforts around the just transition. It is a foundation for more work to follow, underpinned by significant mobilisation towards social inclusion and help reach our climate goals, with a high degree of trust between all parties and a requisite policy intervention led by government, driven by industry and entrenched in our communities” said Moosa.

Source: Government of South Africa