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People's Voices: Key priorities and challenges for a Just Transition in Emalahleni and Steve Tshwete - What does mining closure mean for workers, their jobs and livelihoods? 

 
This webinar by TIPS and the National Labour and Economic Institute (NALEDI), supported by groundwork, is part of a larger project funded by UK PACT that intends to facilitate the co-development of a coherent just transition plan for affected communities in Mpumalanga, with a particular focus on Emalahleni and Steve Tshwete. 
 
Media
 
 
Background
 
South Africa has initiated a transition to a more sustainable development pathway which involves moving towards alow-carbon economy. Our country is a highly unequal society with many poor and vulnerable people. The need for a just transition has emerged as an imperative whereby the poor and vulnerable should not be negatively impacted by the transition and should ideally be better off through it. In Mpumalanga, these challenges are exacerbated by the health, air and water pollution that has caused untold death and destruction to people and the environment. Yet the voice of the people living in affected communities is often not heard. 

This Development Dialogue webinar aims to provide a platform to hear from and engage with people from Steve Tshwete and Emalahleni. It aims to unpack key concerns, aspirations, visions and the needs of people in Mpumalanga, focusing on what is required to shift the status quo and make a positive change in the region in employment, poverty, energy, health, and the environment. 

The second in a series, this event forms part of a larger project, funded by UK PACT, that intends to facilitate the co-development of a coherent just transition plan for affected communities in Mpumalanga, with a particular focus on Emalahleni and Steve Tshwete. The aim of this event is to unpack one of the issues raised in the first event relating to the future of existing mining jobs and the opportunities that might emerge in other sectors. What are the concerns of local workers and community members? What is a possible way forward? How can we solve some of the hard questions? 

Programme

Welcome and introduction by Gaylor Montmasson-Clair (TIPS)

Overview of the project by Hameda Deedat (NALEDI)

Facilitated by:

Thomas Mnguni, Community Activity, groundwork and Melisizwe Tyiso, Researcher, NALEDI

Panel:

Jabu Khambule, Regional Educator, Highveld Region, National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), Emalahleni, Mpumalanga
Thembisile Mbethe, Vukani Environmental Justice Movement in Action (VEM), Emalahleni, Mpumalanga
Sicelo Masina, ex-worker Optimum Coal Mine, Steve Tshwete, Mpumalanga
Sipho Dhlamini, CEPPWAWU, Mpumalanga Regional Secretary

Discussion:

Michael Nkosi, LED Department, Steve Tshwete Local Municipality, Mpumalanga
Anna-Marth Ott, CEO, Middleburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), Steve Tshwete, Mpumalanga

  • Date Thursday, 26 August 2021
  • Venue Webinar
  • Organisation TIPS and the National Labour and Economic Institute (NALEDI), supported by groundWork
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SA-TIED policy dialogue - Strengthening regional economic development in southern Africa

On 19 August, the SA-TIED programme will host its final in a series of policy dialogues to enhance engagement on pertinent economic and social issues facing southern Africa. 

This policy dialogue will be hosted under the work stream on Regional growth for southern Africa’s prosperity and will discuss strengthening regional economic development.

COVID-19 has created a trade crisis in southern Africa with a dramatic slowdown in cross-border trade. The crisis, which exposed weaknesses and deficiencies in the trade facilitation regimes, presents an opportunity for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to address and contribute to greater levels of trade within Africa.

What is the impact of the border closures in response to the pandemic, and its impact on trade and the movement of goods in and out of the southern African development community? How then should the AfCFTA address the long-term problems of weak trade facilitation systems and bring in measures that would advance greater intra-regional co-operation?

Special Economic Zones (SEZs) have become common across southern Africa in the past 20 years. In line with experiences in the rest of the world, they have had at best marginal success. Their essential premise is that it should be more efficient and effective to establish an enclave with world-class administration and infrastructure than to address cross-cutting blockages to growth. In east Asia, this approach was able to build on a broader national industrialization trajectory. In southern Africa, by contrast, it has proved unable to offset the main constraints on investment. The case of SEZs underscores the need to develop effective methodologies to test whether policy solutions developed in very different circumstances are viable in southern Africa.

Plastics are ubiquitous across the region and play an important role in multiple industries. Most plastics products are based on a value chain that is grounded in petroleum refining, posing an environmental challenge. Plastic manufacturing in South Africa suffers from the high cost of inputs. Mozambique is endowed with large deposits of natural gas. What then is the potential for the sustainable development of a plastics value chain in southern Africa? 

About the policy dialogue 

The policy dialogue will begin with a synthesis of research findings produced under the work stream on Regional growth for southern Africa’s prosperity by Saul Levin, TIPS executive director.

Following the synthesis presentation, speakers will dive into the main topics listed below. The discussion will be moderated by Mashudu Masutha, media liaison for South Africa’s Minister of Finance.

The following issues will be explored in the discussion:

  • To what extent can SEZs be used as a policy tool for supporting industrialization, and what lessons can we learn from two decades of SEZs in southern Africa;
  • The initial responses to COVID-19 in southern Africa saw border closures and lockdowns being implemented. These issues are discussed in the context of trade facilitation in southern Africa and its implications for the AfCFTA;
  • Exploration of the upstream plastics sector as a regional value chain (RVC), and the possibilities of supporting the growth of this RVC and ‘future-proofing’ it against a number of headwinds.

Speakers

Saul Levin, executive director at TIPS

Neva Makgetla, senior economist at TIPS

Faizel Ismail, research fellow at TIPS

Liako Mofo, senior economist at TIPS

Register online

Register for the policy dialogue here. 

  • Date Thursday, 19 August 2021
  • Time 14.00-15.15
  • Venue Online via Zoom
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Post COVID-19 Recovery and Small Business

Presentations

Thobile Mawelela -  TIPS economist

Presentation: Small businesses and the post Covid-19 recovery data and trends

Gabriel Davel - CEO for the Centre for Credit Market Development; previously CEO of the National Credit Regulator

Presentation: Impact of the Covid-19 on credit flows

Dave Wilson (CEO National Mentorship Movement) and Sandra Makumbirofa (TIPS Economist)

Presentation: Supporting small business through mentorship programmes

Media

Simone Lidetke, Engineering News, 23 June 2021: Covid-19's devastation of SMME sector 'cannot be underplayed', says small business dept

Sarah Smit, Mail & Guardian, 25 June 2021: Covid undoes a decade of progress in small-business ownership

Press release

Real SME support critical to an economic recovery plan

This Development Dialogue will provide an overview of the small business sector in South Africa, and then discuss the role of
strengthening access to finance to small business in the post COVID-19 recovery period and the important role
that mentorship plays in strengthening small business.

Background

Small businesses have long offered hope in South Africa as a means to grow the economy and create jobs. During periods of major economic crisis they are the highly vulnerable to closing and shedding jobs. The 2008/9 global financial crisis had a major impact on the economy and small businesses in South Africa with an 11% decline amounting to the loss of 80 000 businesses; COVID-19 looks set to have a significantly worse impact on the economy. How are small businesses fairing? What measures can be taken to arrest the decline of this critical part of the economy so that we don't repeat the mistakes of the last major economic crisis?

About the Speakers

Mojalefa Mohoto is a Chief Director in the Department of Small Business Development (Opening remarks)
Thobile Mawelela is an economist at TIPS
Gabriel Davel is the CEO for the Centre for Credit Market Development and was previously the CEO of the National Credit Regulator.
Dave Wilson is the CEO of the National Mentorship Movement
Sandra Makumbirofa is an economist at TIPS

 

 

  • Date Wednesday, 23 June 2021
  • Venue ZOOM
  • Main Speakers Mojalefa Mohoto (Department of Small Business Development); Gabriel Davel (Centre for Credit Market Development); Dave Wilson (National Mentorship Mocement) Thobile Mawelela and Sandra Makumbirofa (TIPS)
  • For enquiries or to register please contact daphney@tips.org.za
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Webinar: People's Voices: Key priorities and challenges for a Just Transition in Emalahleni and Steve Tshwete

 
This webinar by TIPS and the National Labour and Economic Institute (NALEDI), supported by groundwork, is part of a larger project funded by UK PACT that intends to facilitate the co-development of a coherent just transition plan for affected communities in Mpumalanga, with a particular focus on Emalahleni and Steve Tshwete.

Media

South Africa's just transition must accomodate myriad of considerations (Tasneem Bulbia, Engineering News, 3 June 2021)

Going coal turkey: SA's dilemma as it aims to develop greener economy (Lameez Omarjee, Fin24, 7 June 2021)

Press release

Tangible plans for economic diversification critical to a just transition in Mpumalanga

Media

Going coal turkey: SA's dilemma as it aims to develop greener economy (Lameez Omarjee, Fin24, 7 June 2021 

South Africa’s just transition must accommodate myriad of considerations (Tasneem Bulbulai, Engineering News, 3 June 2021)

Background

South Africa has initiated a transition to a more sustainable development pathway, which involves moving towards a low-carbon economy. The country is a highly unequal society with many poor and vulnerable people. The need for a just transition has emerged as an imperative, whereby the poor and vulnerable should not be negatively impacted by the transition and should ideally be better off through it. In Mpumalanga, these challenges are exacerbated by the health, air and water pollution that has caused untold death and destruction to people and the environment. 

Yet the voice of the people living in affected communities is often not heard, particularly at the national level. This Development Dialogue webinar aims to provide a platform to hear from, and engage with, people from Steve Tshwete and Emalahleni. It aims to unpack the key concerns, aspirations, visions and needs for people in Mpumalanga, focusing on what is required to shift the status quo and make a positive change in the region in terms of employment, poverty, energy, health, and the environment. It forms part of a larger project, funded by UK PACT, that intends to facilitate the co-development of a coherent just transition plan for affected communities in Mpumalanga, with a particular focus on Emalahleni and Steve Tshwete.

Programme
 
Welcome and introduction, facilitated by Peta Wolpe
Brief overview of the UK PACT project
Introduction by Jay Naidoo
Panel discussion: voices from workers, community business and local government from Steve Tshwete and Emalahleni 
        - Lucky Moni, CEPPWAWU
        - Promise Mabilo, VEJMA
        - Nonkululeko Mthombeni, Emalahleni Municipality
        - Alex Khumalo, Minerals Council 

About the Speakers

Jay Naidoo is a South African public figure and social activist. He is a board member of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, promoting governance and leadership in Africa. Previously, he was a Minister in President Nelson Mandela's Cabinet and the Founding General Secretary of Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU).

Promise Mabilo is the co-ordinator of Vukani Environmental Justice Movement in Action (VEJMA), a community-based organisation in eMalahleni, Mpumalanga. The organisation was established in 2016 with the vision of promoting awareness of and advocating for environmental justice within the Mpumalanga Highveld and the country. Mabilo is an environmental justice activist and an alumni of the groundWork environmental justice school.

Lucky Moni is an Energy Researcher and National Educator at the Chemical, Energy, Paper, Printing, Wood and Allied Workers' Union (CEPPWAWU), based in Mpumalanga.

Nonkululeko Makua is the Climate Change Champion of the Emalahleni Municipality. She is also the Manager for Parks, Cemeteries and Public Open Spaces, in the Environmental and Waste Management Directorate of the municipalities.

Alex Khumalo is the Head: Social Performance at Minerals Council South Africa. He has long-standing experience and expertise in socio-economic development, transformation strategies, community engagement and community empowerment, notably as the Owner and Chief Impact Officer of Lean Logic Solutions, and the Community Engagement Officer at Anglo American Platinum.

About the Facilitator

Peta Wolpe is an Energy and Climate Change Practitioner. She has extensive experience of working in urban energy and climate change, focusing on energy poverty and local level governance and policy. She was the Managing Director of Sustainable Energy Africa (SEA) for over 12 years. She is also an Associate Director of SouthSouthNorth.

 

  • Date Thursday, 03 June 2021
  • Venue Webinar
  • Organisation TIPS and the National Labour and Economic Institute (NALEDI), supported by groundWork
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Webinar: The economic impact of COVID-19 on SADC

Presentations

Neva Makgetla  - Senior Economist, TIPS

Presentation: The pandemic and the economy in southern Africa

Klaus Schade - Independent Economic Analyst in Namibia

Presentation: The economic impact of Covid-19 on  SADC: The Namibian experience

Gibson Chigumira - Executive Director, Zimbabwe Economic Policy Analysis and Research Unit (ZEPARU)

Presentation: Synopsis of COVID-19 situation and policy responses in Zimbabwe

Itumeleng Mokoena - Intern, TIPS

Presentation: The COVID-19 pandemic and the economy in Southern Africa: Botswana's response

Additional Research

The COVID-19 pandemic and the economy in Southern Africa

Media

Tourism bears brung of Covid-19 pandemic across SADC - researchers (Lameez Omarjee, Fin 24, 21 May 2021)

Southern African countries' Covid-19 economic recovery rapid – TIPS (Donna Slater, Engineering News, 19 May 2021)

Press release

COVID-19 leaves SADC poor worse off

This Development Dialogue takes place in the context of the SA-TIED programme. It provides an overview of the economic impact on SADC, and then unpack the specific issues impacting on Namibia, Zimbabwe and Botswana.

 14:00 Opening and welcome by chairperson: Themba Khumalo

14:05 – 15:05 Presentations:

·         Neva Makgetla: Overview of the economic impact on SADC

·         Klaus Schade: Namibian experience

·         Gibson Chigumira: Zimbabwean experience

·         Itumeleng  Mokoena: Botswanan experience

15:05 – 15:30 Discussion

Background  

As in the rest of the world, the COVID-19 pandemic had a severe economic fall-out in Southern Africa, which endured an economic depression in 2020. The economic outcomes varied significantly over the course of the year, however. A sharp downturn linked to regional and international lockdowns in the second quarter was followed by a rebound in the remainder of the year. For 2020 as a whole, the regional GDP was around 6% below 2019. The available evidence indicates that the pandemic depression aggravated inequalities in Southern Africa, which were already among the worst in the world. Less-skilled workers saw a disproportionate loss of livelihoods; small businesses were also more likely to close down than larger ones; and government cuts to services in response to falling revenues had the sharpest impact on low-income households and communities.

About the Speakers

Themba Khumalo is the Director of Africa Integration and Industrial Development at South Africa’s Department of Trade, Industry and Competition.

Neva Makgetla is a senior economist at TIPS. Makgetla has published widely on the South African economy and worked for many years in government.

Klaus Schade is an independent economic analyst in Namibia.

Gibson Chigumira is the Executive Director of the Zimbabwe Economic Policy Analysis & Research Unit (ZEPARU).

Itumeleng  Mokoena is an intern at TIPS.

 

  • Date Wednesday, 19 May 2021
  • Venue Online
  • Main Speakers Neva Makgetla (TIPS), Klaus Schade (Economic analyst), Gibson Chigumira (ZEPARU), Itumeleng Mokoena (TIPS)
  • For enquiries or to register please contact natasha@tips.org.za
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TIPS Webinar - Unravelling South Africa's Just Transition: Unpacking sectoral interventions for Mpumalanga

Presentations

Nkosinathi Nkonyane - Senior Manager, Economic Policy and Planning, Department of Economic Development and Tourism (Mpumalanga Province)

Presentation: Implementing the Mpumalanga green economy plan

Louise Scholtz - Senior Programme Manager: Urban Futures, Policy and Futures Unit, WWF-SA; Carla Hudson, Programme Manager: Mine Water Coordinating Body, and Operational Lead – Mpumalanga, Impact Catalyst

Presentation: Mine rehabilitation as a platform for socio-economic development in Mpumalanga

Stanley Semelane - Senior Researcher in Climate Services, CSIR

Presentation: Just Transition and sectoral solutions

Gillian Chigumira - Economist, TIPS

Presentation: A Just Transition in Mpumalanga away from coal - Unlocking jobs in the agricultural sector

Belinda Heichler - President, South African Coal Ash Association; and General Manager, Kwikbulk

Kelley Reynolds-Clausen Vice-President, South African Coal Ash Association; and Eskom

Emerging opportunities for using coal ash 

Media

Lameez Omarjee, Fin24, 29 March 2021: Can farming revive Mpumalanga's economy when coal power stations close? Read as a PDF.

FIN24, ESI Africa, 26 March 2021: No silver bullet but many ways to renew Mpumalanga’s economy

Terence Creamer, Mining News, 25 March 2021: Agriculture seen as key just transition enabler in Mpumalanga, but arable land needs urgent safeguarding 

Additional research (Water Research Commission)

Practising Adaptive IWRM (Integrated Water Resources Management) in South Africa (July 2018)

Developing a multi-sectoral integrative licensing and monitoring framework to align and integrate biodiversity and environmental water quality in the coal mining development life-cycle (July 2018)

Appendix A: Regulation throughout the coal mining life cycle

Appendix B: Perspective on the legal life cycle of coal mining in relation to resource protection, from a mining manager's perspective

Appendix C: Wetland assessment, conservation, mangement and rehabilitation in mining environments on the Mpumalanga Highveld

Appendix D: How to engage with coal mines through a Catchment Management Forum

Appendix E: Record of Upper Komati Catchment Management Forum (UKCMF) dialogues

Appendix F: Ecological infrastructure, mining licensing and contestation

Background

South Africa has initiated a transition to a more sustainable development pathway. This notably involves moving towards a low-carbon economy. In a highly unequal society like South Africa, the need for a just transition, which would empower vulnerable stakeholders, has emerged as an imperative. Vulnerable stakeholders (such as workers, small businesses and low-income communities) should not be negatively impacted by the transition and should ideally be better off through it. 

Just transition discussions in South African (and globally) have been primarily focused on the coal value chain, particularly coal-fired power generation and associated coal mining. In South Africa, the bulk of coal-related operations are concentrated in the Mpumalanga province, especially in eMalahleni (formerly Witbank) and Steve Tshwete. 

International experience suggests that fostering a just transition requires long-term, ambitious interventions at multiple levels. South Africa's mix of measures remains in development and a high source of debate. This dialogue aims to inform this just transition process. After a presentation of the province's green economy plan, it explores a number of possible sectoral options to diversity and rejuvenate Mpumalanga's economy and foster a just transition process in South Africa, namely the potential to:
  • Generate renewable energy-based electricity and manufacture renewable energy technologies;
  • Foster the development of agricultural value chains;
  • Use mine rehabilitation as a platform for socio-economic development; and
  • Harness coal ash, a waste product of coal-fired power generation, to develop new economic activities. 
About the Speakers
Nkosinathi Nkonyane will introduce the Green Economy Plan for the Mpumalanga Province. Nkosinathi is Senior Manager for Economic Policy & Planning in the Department of Economic Development and Tourism of the Mpumalanga Province. He serves as the Project Manager for establishing the Green Economy Cluster in Mpumalanga, which will co-ordinate all green economy-related activities.

Louise Scholtz will unpack the role of mine rehabilitation in Mpumalanga's just transition. Louise is Senior Programme Manager: Urban Futures Policy and Futures Unit at the World Wide Fund for Nature South Africa (WWF-SA). She is responsible for a basket of projects focusing on unlocking climate action at city level. She also manages a just transition workstream, which includes work on the potential of mine rehabilitation to support environmentally sound and equitable outcomes for communities.

Stanley Semelane will present on the potential to develop renewable energy (for electricity production and manufacturing) in Mpumalanga. Stanley is a Senior Researcher in Climate Services at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research's (CSIR) Holistic Climate Change Impact Area, where he is responsible for supporting climate change finance as well as the mitigation and adaptation measures for a just transition in South Africa.

Gillian Chigumira will discuss opportunities associated with the development of agricultural value chains in Mpumalanga. Gillian is an Economist at TIPS. Her interests lie in industrialisation, agro-processing, urban regeneration, inclusive growth, conflict resolution and diplomatic negotiations in Africa. She has done extensive work on the development of agricultural value chains in South Africa and the Southern African region.

Belinda Heichler will present on the potential of using coal ash to support a just transition in Mpumalanga. Belinda is the General Manager of Kwikbulk, a company of Kwikbuild General Purpose Cement, and the President of the South African Coal Ash Association (SACAA).

About the Facilitator

Gaylor Montmasson-Clair is a Senior Economist at TIPS, where he leads work on Sustainable Growth. He has carried extensive research on the transition to an inclusive green economy from a developing country perspective, with a focus on policy frameworks, industrial development, just transition and resource security. He was one of the lead authors of South Africa's National Employment Vulnerability Assessment (NEVA) and associated Sector Jobs Resilience Plans (SJRPs).
 
This webinar builds on a six  earlier dialogues, hosted on 7 July, 29 September, 3 November, 17 November, December 1, 2020 and 16 February 2021.

 

  

 

  • Date Wednesday, 24 March 2021
  • Venue Webinar
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TIPS Webinar - Unravelling South Africa's Just Transition: Unpacking cross-cutting interventions

Presentations

Gaylor Montmasson-Clair - Senior Economist, TIPS

Presentation: Policy toolbox for a Just Transition

Mike Mulcahy - CEO, GreenCape

Presentation: Green Economy Cluster - The value of clustering in the South Africa economy

Janivi Da Silva - Director of Programmes, GreenMatter

Presentation: A composite approach for skills development towards a Just Transition for South Africa

Tashmia Ismail-Saville - CEO, Youth Employment Service (YES)

Presentation: Just Transition

Media

Press release: Building blocks for a just transition in place

Marleny Arnoldi, Engineering News, 18 February 2021: TIPS encourages South Africa to leverage just transition imperatives already in place

Background

South Africa has initiated a transition to a more sustainable development pathway. This notably involves moving towards a low-carbon economy. In a highly unequal society like South Africa, the need for a just transition, which would empower vulnerable stakeholders, has emerged as an imperative. Vulnerable stakeholders (such as workers, small businesses and low-income communities) should not be negatively impacted by the transition and should ideally be better off through it. 

International experience suggests that fostering a just transition requires long-term, ambitious interventions at multiple levels. South Africa's mix of measures remains in development and a high source of debate. This dialogue aims to inform this just transition process. It explores a number of possible cross-cutting options to foster a just transition process in South Africa, namely:

  • The policy toolbox
  • The cluster model
  • Skills development initiatives
  • Youth employment programmes

About the Speakers

Gaylor Montmasson-Clair will present on the policy toolbox for a just transition. Gaylor is a Senior Economist at TIPS, where he leads work on Sustainable Growth. He has carried extensive research on the transition to an inclusive green economy from a developing country perspective, with a focus on policy frameworks, industrial development, just transition and resource security. He was one of the lead authors of South Africa's National Employment Vulnerability Assessment (NEVA) and associated Sector Jobs Resilience Plans (SJRPs). 

Mike Mulcahy will discuss the role of the cluster approach as a vehicle to foster a just transition. Mike is the CEO of GreenCape, a green economy sector development agency. GreenCape's work has focussed on understanding and then removing barriers to commercially-viable projects across energy, water and waste. GreenCape sits at the nexus of industry, government and academia, allowing a unique perspective on pragmatic solutions to transition to a green economy. 

Janavi Da Silva will unpack the role of skills development in a just transition context. Janavi is the Director of Programmes at GreenMatter, which works towards unlocking the environmental, social and economic potential of South Africa through the development of suitably skilled biodiversity specialists, researchers and professionals. She has a deep experience in working for social and environmental enterprise and skills development.

Tashmia Ismail-Saville will present on the importance of youth employment programmes to achieve a just transition. Tashmia is the CEO of the Youth Employment Service (YES), a joint initiative between business, labour and government, which addresses South Africa's youth unemployment challenge. Together with a dedicated team, she works towards creating thousands of work experiences in South Africa. She has expertise in setting up organisations and has made contributions locally and internationally in the areas of innovation, inclusive business, digitisation of knowledge and business development, economic and behavioural research. 

About the Facilitator

Muhammed Patel is an Economist at TIPS. He has experience in the coal and petrochemical value chains. He is the lead author of the National Employment Vulnerability Assessment (NEVA) and Sector Jobs Resilience Plan (SJRP) for the coal value chain in South Africa.

This webinar builds on a five earlier dialogues, hosted on 7 July, 29 September, 3 November 17 November and December 1.
 
 

  

 

 

  • Date Tuesday, 16 February 2021
  • Venue Webinar
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Webinar: South Africa's biomaterials sector - Examining demand-side policies for bioplastics

 
Presentation
 
 
Media
 
 
Background
 
Biomaterials, and bioplastics specifically, offer a potential decarbonisation option for the petrochemicals value chain. South Africa relies heavily on coal as an input into chemicals production and bio-based bioplastics have room to substitute for traditional plastics. The market for bioplastics in South Africa is currently limited and market demand has yet to materialise substantially. While a number of efforts are present to develop the supply side of the market, policy interventions are necessary to stimulate demand for sustainable plastics. Policies that can stimulate the demand for bioplastic include bans or quotas on traditional plastics, levies or taxes on traditional plastics, ecolabels and standards, green public procurement, and raising social awareness. This dialogue aims to present and discuss recent work on stimulating demand for bioplastics in South Africa. 

Agenda

Welcome and introduction:
  • Baba-Tamana Gqubule, TIPS
  • Jenitha Badul, Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF)
  • Ozunimi Iti, United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO)
Presentation of the draft research on global trends, demand-side policy interventions and policy implications for South Africa, Muhammed Patel and Lerato Monaisa (TIPS)
 
Discussion, facilitated by Baba-Tamana Gqubule (TIPS)
 

About the Speakers

Muhammed Patel is an Economist at TIPS. He has experience in the coal and petrochemical value chains. He is the lead author of the National Employment Vulnerability Assessment (NEVA) and Sector Jobs Resilience Plan (SJRP) for the coal value chain in South Africa. Muhammed has also worked on a project examining the mitigation options for decarbonisation in the petrochemical upstream. 

Lerato Monaisa is an Economist at TIPS. Prior to her role at TIPS, she worked at the National Treasury in Local Government Policy and Planning. Lerato holds a Bachelor of Economics with Honours from Rhodes University and a Masters in Industrial Policy from the University of Johannesburg.

About the Facilitator
 
Baba-Tamana Gqubule is a Senior Economist at TIPS. She has a Masters in Development Studies from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London and a Bachelor of Economics Honours degree from Rhodes University. Baba has experience as a Policy Analyst at the Economic Development Department. She was involved in developing policies aimed at broadening participation in the economy with a specific focus on conducting research to inform the department’s strategy for increasing the participation of Women in the economy. ​
 

  • Date Tuesday, 02 February 2021
  • Venue Online
  • Main Speakers Muhammed Patel (TIPS) and Lerato Monaisa (TIPS)
  • Organisation Trade and Industrial Policy Strategies (TIPS) and United Nations Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE)
Topic:
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Just Transition Finance Roadmaps in South Africa and India: Project launch 19 January 2021

Presentations

Nick Robins, Professor in Practice – Sustainable Finance, Grantham Research Institute, London School of Economics: Just Transition Welcome and Introduction

Media

ESI Africa 20 January 2021: How to finance the just energy transition in South Africa and India

Engineering News 19 January 2021 Terrence Creamer: Project launched to define role of finance in South Africa and India's 'just transitions'

Ensuring the transition to net zero and resilient economies is just and inclusive has never been more important as climate action builds momentum and the urgent need for a green and just recovery from COVID-19 arises.

South Africa and India, two of the largest coal-dependent emerging economies, are beginning to explore how to ensure no one is left behind in the transition, particularly in coal-dependent regions, and the most vulnerable can access emerging opportunities including new quality jobs in net zero sectors.

It is clear that financial institutions have a critical role to play in helping achieve a just transition in both countries - more practical guidance is now needed to signal where financing is needed and how it can be enabled by specific policy, market and regulatory mechanisms.

The Just Transition Finance Roadmaps in South Africa and India project will build on existing local processes and encourage tangible action, particularly on the road to COP26. The following partners are involved: Trade & Industrial Policy Strategies, National Business Initiative, Observer Research Foundation, LSE Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, and Harvard Kennedy School’s Initiative for Responsible Investment, with support from the National Institute of Public Finance and Policy.
 
This project has been catalysed with funding from CDC Group.

Agenda

14.30-14.40 Welcome and Project Launch: Nick Robins, Professor in Practice – Sustainable Finance, Grantham Research Institute, London School of Economics

14.40-14.50 Fireside chat: Nick O’Donohoe, Chief Executive Officer, CDC Group in conversation with Nick Robins

14.50-14.55 Opening remarks: What is the role of finance in enabling a just transition in South Africa? Joanne Yawitch, Chief Executive Officer, National Business Initiative

14.55-15.00 Opening remarks: What is the role of finance in enabling a just transition in India? Rathin Roy, Managing Director - Research and Policy, Overseas Development Institute

15.00-15.35 Panel discussion

Moderator: David Wood, Director of the Initiative for Responsible Investment , Harvard Kennedy School

• Amal-Lee Amin, Climate Change Director, CDC Group
• Rudi Dicks, Board member, Trade & Industrial Policy Strategies
• Royston Braganza, Chief Executive Officer, Grameen Capital India

15.35-15.55 Q&A session

15.55-16.00 Closing remarks: Suranjali Tandon, Assistant Professor, National Institute of Public Finance and Policy


Topic:
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TIPS Webinar - Unravelling South Africa's Just Transition: Unpacking financial options

  
Presentations
 
Mike Ward - Climate Investment Funds
 
 
Emily Tyler - Meridian Economics 
Presentation: What is Ushiri?
 
Jesse Burton  - E3GP
 
 
Media
 

Marleny Arnoldi, Engineering News. 3 November 2020: Financing instruments need to be overhauled for a successful just transition

Background

South Africa, a carbon-intensive economy, has initiated a transition to a more sustainable development pathway. In a highly unequal society like South Africa, the need for a just transition, which would empower vulnerable stakeholders, has emerged as an imperative. International experience suggests that fostering a just transition requires long-term, ambitious interventions at multiple levels. While South Africa’s mix of measures is still in development, questions are already arising on how to finance a just transition, particularly within the country’s current fiscal constraints.

This dialogue aims to inform this just transition process. It explores a number of possible options to finance the just transition process in South Africa. It is the fifth iteration of a series. The recording of previous events can be accessed here: Unravelling South Africa's Just Transition.

About the Speakers

Emily Tyler is an Economist at Meridian Economics. She has focused her career on climate mitigation in a development context, bringing both an economics and complex systems perspective to policy and practical challenges. She will discuss the role of transition finance for climate change mitigation, with a focus on a just climate transition for South Africa.

Itumeleng Leie is Founding Director of the Ushiri Group. A financial market expert, he is a specialist in fundraising and capital structuring, fund and asset management, commercial law, and stakeholder engagement. He will share insights on the nexus between capital allocation processes and the overall return profile of infrastructure projects linked to Sustainable Development Goals.
 
Jesse Burton is a Senior Associate at climate change think-tank E3G and a Researcher at the University of Cape Town (UCT). She has extensive knowledge and expertise on energy issues, particularly the coal value chains and just transitions. She will present work on the volume and politics of fossil fuel subsidies in South Africa.

Mike Ward is the Director and Founder of Creating Sustainable Value (CSV). He has extensive experience in the sustainability sector, including as a Chartered Director (SA). He is currently supporting the World Bank’s work on just transitions. He will present a case study on Climate Investment Funds (CIF) and just transitions in South Africa.

About the Facilitator

Gaylor Montmasson-Clair is a Senior Economist at TIPS, where he leads work on Sustainable Growth. He has carried out extensive research on the transition to an inclusive green economy from a developing country perspective, with a focus on policy frameworks, industrial development, just transition and resource security.

This webinar builds on a four earlier dialogues, hosted on 7 July, 29 September, 3 November and 17 November.
 

  

  • Date Tuesday, 01 December 2020
  • Venue Webinar
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