The 6th Just Transition Forum Workshop of the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) took place at the University of Mpumalanga (UMP) on 16 September 2024. The workshop aimed to explore critical issues around South Africa’s just transition, focusing on economic, social and environmental dimensions, with input from experts across various sectors. 

The event opened with a keynote address by Prof. Rasigan Maharajh, Chief Director of the Institute for Economic Research on Innovation, that provided historical context for the current climate crisis and examined how capitalism’s uneven development has led to multiple global crises. The address emphasised the need for profound systemic changes to address ecological instability and bridge the divide between human activity and planetary limits.

Session One featured a presentation titled “The Economics and Science of the Transition and Employment – Policy Perspectives for Impact”, delivered by Prof. Vusi Gumede, a UMP faculty member. The presentation critiqued existing economic policies and proposed reforms to improve economic outcomes in the context of a just transition. Panellists from state-owned enterprises, local government and youth organisations contributed their insights, emphasising the challenges facing education and policy in achieving equitable transition outcomes.

Session Two highlighted the role of civil society in the just transition, with a presentation by Mr Devan Pillay from the Presidential Climate Commission. Panellists from business, trade unions and anti-capitalist groups addressed gaps in the presentation, calling for measures to avoid corporate capture and ensure that the transition is democratic, transparent and participatory.

The final session focused on the National System of Innovation (NSI) and its role in supporting the just transition, with a lead presentation by Dr Rendani Mamphiswana from the Tshwane University of Technology. Prof. Juliet Hermes (NRF-SAEON) and Mr Imraan Patel from the Department of Science and Innovation joined Prof. Kanayo Ogujiuba from the UMP School of Development Studies to discuss funding challenges and the gap between policy aspirations and practical implementation since South Africa’s 1994 democratic transition. They emphasised the need for stronger alignment between policy rhetoric and real-world outcomes.

In her panel, Juliet particularly focused on the disconnect between the ambitious policies and strategic frameworks South Africa has adopted and the on-the-ground implementation with these key areas:

Institutional capacity building and funding

Since 1994, South Africa has aimed for an inclusive and well-resourced NSI to drive development and address socioeconomic disparities. However, funding and capacity within many historically marginalised institutions remain limited, affecting the ability of these institutions to fully contribute to national goals. Hence there is a need to advocate for dedicated funding streams that target underfunded institutions.

Propose multi-institutional collaborations where historically black universities are equal partners in research projects, rather than peripheral contributors

This includes leveraging marine science initiatives to build capacity and ensure that these institutions have access to state-of-the-art infrastructure and cutting-edge research opportunities. This is of particular importance as the Presidential Climate Commission (PCC) climate risk report investigated the status of climate services infrastructure and showed it was not sufficient – we need more observations.

The South African Research Infrastructure Roadmap (SARIR) is a positive example of a national access programme for research infrastructure which is demonstrating impact. This would work to democratise access to resources and opportunities, allowing a wider pool of diverse talent to contribute. A more equitable distribution of funding would narrow the gap between institutions, ensuring that South Africa’s NSI is truly inclusive and capable of driving a just transition.

Addressing climate resilience and the role of local knowledge

South Africa’s transition is meant to be just, resilient and inclusive, especially for communities on the front lines of climate change, like those along the coastline. Yet the reality is that climate resilience policies often overlook local and indigenous knowledge systems, focusing instead on top-down approaches that do not always fit the local context. We need to ensure the integration of indigenous knowledge systems and local knowledge in national climate adaptation and resilience strategies. This can be particularly powerful in the marine sector, where local communities have a deep understanding of coastal ecosystems.

There is a need to continue with participatory approaches in which coastal communities, including traditional fishers and local stakeholders, play an active role in research and the development of climate resilience policies. Recognising the importance of local knowledge will enrich South Africa’s approach to the climate crisis, making it more inclusive, resilient and reflective of the diverse experiences of its population, thus narrowing the gap between policy rhetoric and real-world action. A just transition puts people at the centre of decision making.

Shifting towards the innovative outcome of science

South African research currently places higher value on academic publications, while innovation outcomes that can directly impact society and the economy are underemphasised. This limits the translation of research into practical solutions, especially for the energy transition. For this to shift, the metrics of academic and research success need to shift to balance traditional publications with measurable innovation outcomes. There could be funding incentives that reward researchers not just for publications but also for bridging innovations to market or implement projects in collaboration with industry or government. This would lead to applied innovations with tangible impacts and a more solution-orientated research culture within the NSI.

The workshop concluded with a facilitated discussion, allowing ASSAf to respond to the contributions made throughout the day and explore further steps toward a just transition that improves resilience to climate change while advancing the material well-being of all stakeholders.