A global transition to low-carbon development pathways, enabled by rapid technological evolution is underway. This transition was initially fostered by policy and the urgency of climate action, primarily to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. The transition is increasingly driven by market forces, as greentech becomes more and more competitive. Global dynamics require that South Africa adapts and responds to the transition, while proactively seeking opportunities in the transition. On the one hand, South Africa ought to protect domestic interests, particularly to ensure a just transition for local vulnerable stakeholders, and enhance the resilience of its economy and population to (climate) shocks. On the other hand, the country must secure its role in the global economy by materially increasing its green competitiveness. This requires thinking differently about industrial policy to progressively shift to green industrial policy and ensure a just transition. 

Sasol not in ‘sunset’ phase but transition plans cannot outpace market demand – Baloyi

Engineering News 5 November 2024 by Terence Creamer 

Read online at Engineering News

TIPS has two internship opportunities available for recently or about to graduate masters’ students.  The aim of the internship is to give young researchers the opportunity to acquire work experience, improve their research skills and enhance their understanding of the South African economy.  The internship is structured to give exposure to issues of industrial development, trade and the green economy as well as work on policy orientated projects.

The internship is for 12 months. The intern will directly participate in projects carried out by TIPS.

TIPS also offers the opportunity to conduct individual research, in line with the priorities of the institution. Our research is on generating and analysing evidence-based options for industrial policy as the key to more inclusive economic growth. You can see more about our work at www.tips.org.za

As an intern at TIPS, you will:

• Perform economic research under the guidance of the line manager, and provide research input and data analysis;
• Participate in and present research at internal discussions and workshops / events
• Publish research reports through the TIPS website, other publications, conferences, seminars, etc.

You will need:

• A Masters (completed or in final stages of completing) in Economics; or a Masters (completed or in final stages of completing) in Development Studies, Environmental Sciences, or a related field and should have also completed Economics III at undergraduate level; and
• A passion for industrial policy, inclusive economic development and sustainable growth;
• A study background on trade, industrial policy, the manufacturing sector and Sustainable growth.  
• Strong communication skills in writing, editing and presentation, with an excellent command of written and spoken English;

• Strong computer skills, with a proven ability to manipulate data in Excel and knowledge of Stata or SPSS
• Teamwork and an ability to handle tight deadlines

Who we are:

Trade & Industrial Policy Strategies (TIPS) is an independent, non-profit, economic research institution based in Pretoria. It was established in 1996 to support economic policy development, with an emphasis on industrial policy, in South Africa and the region. Its areas of focus are trade and inclusive industrial policy, and sustainable development. TIPS approach is to integrate research and analysis, policy development, disseminating information, capacity building, technical support, and programme design and management. To support these activities, TIPS researchers are expected to provide world-class quantitative and qualitative socio-economic analyses.

Application details:

Closing date for applications: 22 November 2024

To apply, please send a short CV, a cover letter highlighting your interest for the position and how you match the requirements as well as a writing sample via e-mail to jobs@tips.org.za. Note that we will only consider applications with all of these components. Correspondence will be limited to short-listed applicants only.

New report shows depth of Sasol Secunda distress

BizCommunity 28 October 2024 by Lindsey Schutters

Read online at BizCommunity

South Africa has not fully realised the benefits of localisation as a tool for reindustrialisation. A number of issues contribute to this: a) failure to consolidate demand across the state due to fragmentation of procurement plans; b) the influx of cheaper imports which threatened industries such as steel and the clothing, textiles, leather and footwear sector; and c) disagreement on the economic logic of localisation as a tool to support economic growth and reindustrialisation, resulting in fragmented implementation.

This brief aims to provide an analysis of localisation and procurement in South Africa. This includes an analysis of the import intensity in major industries and a review of existing policies and resource allocation for localisation, and proposes options for improving outcomes and implementation. 

TIPS highlights positive second-quarter trade, investment movements

Engineering News 29 October 2024 by Marleny Arnoldi

Read online at Engineering News

Economist/Researcher – Just Transition Labour Centre

Trade & Industrial Policy Strategies (TIPS) is looking for two Economists/Researchers to work for the Just Transition Labour Centre (JTLC). You can see more about our work at www.tips.org.za.

As an Economist/Researcher at TIPS, you will:

• Undertake high quality economic research, report writing, data analysis, and economic input.
• Liaise with and support the relevant policy-making entities in South Africa (and elsewhere in the region as appropriate) in line with TIPS's and the JTLC’s mandate and priorities.
• Contribute to preparing reports to funders/clients with the support of TIPS's administrative staff and the line manager.
• Conduct ad hoc/Public good research projects as they arise with direction from the line manager.
• Provide content for dissemination in conjunction with TIPS staff and the JTLC on research projects, events, publications, etc.
• Contribute content to the TIPS website and support the release of research and information produced by TIPS into the public domain.

You will need:

• A post-graduate qualification (at least a Masters’ degree) in Economics, Sociology or related discipline and at least three years of research and/or policy experience.
• An interest and expertise in international trade, industrial policy, and regional integration.
• An interest and some experience with work relating directly to the Just Transition in South Africa or climate change.
• Strong communication skills in writing, editing and presentation, with an excellent command of written and spoken English.
• A passion for industrial policy and inclusive economic development, with knowledge of national and international developments on industrial policy, trade, and other economic issues.
• A respect for and appreciation of the labour movement in South Africa and towards community struggles and needs.
• Strong computer skills, with a proven ability to manipulate data in Excel and knowledge of Stata or SPSS.
• Teamwork and an ability to handle tight deadlines.
• Ability to design and carry out research projects within internal and external team members as well as the ability to carry out research autonomously.

Who we are:

Trade & Industrial Policy Strategies (TIPS) is an independent, non-profit, economic research institution based in Pretoria. It was established in 1996 to support economic policy development, with an emphasis on industrial policy, in South Africa and the region. Its areas of focus are trade and inclusive industrial policy, and sustainable development. TIPS approach is to integrate research and analysis, policy development, disseminating information, capacity building, technical support, and programme design and management. To support these activities, TIPS researchers are expected to provide world-class quantitative and qualitative socio-economic analyses. The Just Transition Labour Centre (JTLC) was established by the four trade union federations in South Africa (COSATU, FEDUSA, NACTU, SAFTU) to undertake research on different aspects of the just transition to a low carbon economy, as a response to climate change, and to capacitate trade unions and workers in general to respond to these changes.

Application details:

Closing date for applications: 15 November 2024

Non-South African applicants should have authority to work in South Africa. The role is based in Gauteng.

To apply, please send a short CV, a cover letter highlighting your interest for the position and how you match the requirements as well as a writing sample via e-mail to jobs@tips.org.za. Note that we will only consider applications with all of these components. Correspondence will be limited to short-listed applicants only.

This policy brief provides a summary of nine Industrial Policy Action Plans (IPAPs) published from 2007 to 2018. The National Industrial Policy Framework (NIPF) set out the strategic direction for South Africa’s industrialisation. The NIPF was a framework for  IPAPs, aiming to support labour-absorbing and value-adding industries while shifting from commodities reliance and promoting inclusivity of historically disadvantaged people. IPAPs were annual strategies that set out specific actions for priority industries, particularly in the manufacturing sector.

The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition replaced IPAPs with Master Plans in 2019 to drive the country’s industrialisation, highlighting three reasons for the shift towards Master Plans: to create platforms to engage with industry stakeholders to implement industry support measures; to pivot resources and capacity by scaling a few priority industries that would have a positive socioeconomic impact; and to co-ordinate government across departments and entities to implement industrial policy.

Multiple manufacturing industries were prioritised in the nine IPAPs, with eight industries consistently prioritised over IPAP iterations. Prioritising multiple industries in IPAPs limited the focus on labour-intensive and scalable industries envisioned by the NIPF. This brief looks at the performance of priority industries, noting that the outcomes of the different industries varied significantly. In most cases, they did not reach key targets for growth and localisation, although arguably the results would have been worse in the absence of industrial policy measures.

SA faces urgent need for carbon compliance as EU deadline approaches

IOL 24 October 2024 by Banele Ginindza 

Read online at IOL

Sasol's gas supply and volatile oil raise sustainability risks

By Bloomberg News 18 October 2024

Read online at Money Web