SUMMARY: This booklet aims to help workers and unions to grapple with climate change and its challenges. It explains the causes and effects of climate change, and its impacts on workers and the poor. It unpacks international negotiations about a global climate deal. Solutions are introduced and analysed, and suggestions made for unions to take the work forward. Included is: COSATU’s Policy Framework on Climate Change and a carbon footprint checklist for unions, with strategies for COSATU affiliates.

KEY FINDING / RECOMMENDATIONS: Cosatu’s positions on climate change recognises serious challenges for the working class and it also points out the gender dimension – women, as the administrators and labourers of households, are bearing the brunt of the impacts of climate change. The framework requires fleshing out in practice. To this end, COSATU affiliates are called to begin to develop their policies, research and education capacity on climate change to inform their sectoral engagements on the issue.

SUMMARY: The report provides an overview of the South African Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) and its outcomes from bidding windows 1-4. Also discussed are the policy implications of the REIPPPPs and the report draws on the experiences from South Africa to make recommendations in RE in the Sub-Saharan Africa region.

KEY FINDING / RECOMMENDATIONS: Among lessons from South Africa are an enabling policy and set of targets is important to establish a clear roadmap for RE development; an integrated resource plan is useful for establishing long-term RE targets within the overall energy mix; and a policy favouring competitive tenders or auctions rather than feed-in tariffs can be more effective in attracting investment in grid-connected renewable energy.

SUMMARY: Carbon Brief’s interviewed Samantha Smith, director of the Just Transition centre. Smith discusses the concept of Just Transition, which sectors are most likely to be affected, the cost of a Just Transition and how countries can transition towards a low carbon economy

KEY FINDING / RECOMMENDATIONS: Smith outlines what is required for people to have security and opportunity while jobs and sectors transition: Social protection – unemployment insurance and access to health care, education and pensions; decent work; liveable minimum wage; and reskilling and upskilling.

SUMMARY: The paper frames the Just Transition from a moral and business perspective. It assesses how much responsibility companies and organisations should have for the impact their clients have on climate change and asks to what extent the processes and products of the businesses can influence their clients’ behaviour. The paper considers the history of the notion of Just Transition, the tensions or fault lines evident within the concept, and the implications that an engagement with the concept may have for companies and organisations. The paper also explores different interpretations of notions such as Just Transition, the green economy and value creation.

KEY FINDING / RECOMMENDATIONS: A transformative or deep Just Transition must not only address the unemployment crisis in our society, but demand redistribution of power and resources to challenge the conventional understanding of economic growth, and mobilise for an alternative development path. One of the fault lines within the business case discourse is the difference between instrumental and transformative approaches. Instrumental approaches tend to focus only on those transitions that will generate profit for a company. Businesses should recognise that significant transformation is possible through engaging with the societies and ecosystems within which they operate.

SUMMARY: This book looks at ways to solve the environmental and the joblessness challenges from the perspective of social justice and Just Transition to a low-carbon economy. The One Million Climate Jobs Campaign (OMCJC) of South Africa is reviewed to share lessons learned. Lessons learnt from the South African campaign are presented and possibilities of scaling up the national campaign are analysed.

KEY FINDING / RECOMMENDATIONS: Among other things, building up new, climate-friendly industries will be needed to sustain employment and investment. The campaign proposes producing electricity from wind and solar power; reducing energy use through energy efficiency in industries; reducing energy use in homes and buildings by constructing energy efficient new buildings and by retrofitting existing buildings; reducing the use of oil in transport by improving and expanding the public transport system; producing food through organic small-scale agro-ecology; and protecting water, soil and biodiversity resources.

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SUMMARY: The report looks at the risks of a development strategy that continues to rely on coal for energy security, employment, and growth. Three pathways are identified. The first, the least-cost energy pathway, assumes no climate-change mitigation policy is implemented beyond a gradual phasedown of coal power as stations reach their end of lives or become uncompetitive, a scenario in which South Africa would meet its nationally determined contribution (NDC) by 2025 and 2030 in terms of the Paris agreement on climate change. The second and third scenarios look at the impacts on the coal sector of South Africa meeting the lower range of its domestic climate change-mitigation objectives.

KEY FINDING / RECOMMENDATIONS: Moving from the NDC scenario to the scenario with emissions consistent with a low peak, plateau, and decline trajectory will require an accelerated phase out of large emitting infrastructure. The economic results show that meeting climate change targets and growing the economy is possible. Large investment in new renewable energy will have positive spin-offs, including net positive employment impacts in the electricity sector. While results are positive workers at coal-fired stations, mines, and the communities remain at risk if there is no orderly and properly resourced transition.

SUMMARY: The report explores pathways to implement coal transitions and summarises key findings from case studies in six countries (China, India, Poland, Germany, Australia and South Africa). The report also draws from findings in earlier phases of the project, including global analysis of the impact of coal transitions on steam coal trade and analysis of past coal and industrial transitions in over 10 countries, as well as political economy aspects of coal.

KEY FINDING / RECOMMENDATIONS: Coal transitions are already happening. Due to both climate and non-climate policy factors, global coal consumption is likely to reverse in the early 2020s. The analysis of the techno-economic scenario required to stay below 2°C temperature increases for all six countries showed that by 2040-2050 coal can be replaced with a portfolio of alternative energy sources. Coal transitions can strengthen global climate action and deliver other social and economic objectives. In South Africa, diversification from coal in the power sector would help reduce the cost of supplying electricity while limiting the risk of cross-subsidisation of the power sector by the coal export sector.

SUMMARY: The future of coal is uncertain. The paper analyses the factors driving the fall in demand for thermal coal, presents scenarios on the global coal consumption for 2010-2050, as well as the potential impacts of declining global demand scenarios on major coal producers, consumers and investment. The scenarios on which the paper builds are based, on top-down information on global and regional energy system development, as well as on bottom-up national energy sector information made available to the project team.

KEY FINDING / RECOMMENDATIONS: Even without more stringent climate policy, the balance of risks and opportunities for the global coal market appears significantly on the downside. Factors such as the decreasing energy intensity of “late mover” developing countries’ growth pathways, local air pollution and technological advances reflected in the quickly increasing cost competitiveness of renewables can plausibly drive a significant decline in global coal demand. The scenarios explored in this report suggest that it is time for governments to begin to implement credible transition policies. A first step for policy makers to manage these uncertainties is through a focused dialogue on the future of the sector in their respective countries.

SUMMARY: The report highlights the impact of coal mining on the Mpumalanga Highveld. The research presented focuses on social, gender, worker and environmental justice. The report is written from a legal and campaigning perspective and speaks about what is wrong on the Highveld while presenting possible ways forward.

KEY FINDING / RECOMMENDATIONS: The book recommends for a Just Transition for coal regions, et al: building a new energy system based on socially owned renewables, with jobs in manufacturing as well as construction and operations; rehabilitating individual mines and the mining regions; encouraging people’s food gardens as a first step towards creating a healthy food system; reconstructing settlements in anticipation of the extreme weather conditions associated with climate change.

SUMMARY: The book looks at how South Africa moved from cheap, abundant, and unconstrained energy to its current state. The authors explore ways to allow South Africa to return to an era of cheap and abundant electricity. It seeks to show the advantages of a renewable energy-led electricity mix, looking at the costs, job creation, and how an energy transition can lead to a more competitive industrial economy, create new trade opportunities, accelerate economic development, and re-establish South Africa as a preferred electricity investment destination.

KEY FINDING / RECOMMENDATIONS: The book reckons a coal-based energy system is no longer economically viable. Cheaper alternatives such as solar power and onshore wind have proven more competitive and a feasible alternative. The low cost of a renewable energy system with solar and wind energy will enable SA to host a power system mix of renewable energy technologies and progressively pursue a large “electrification of just about everything.” However, wholesale privatisation of generation assets may not be politically feasible in South Africa and significant changes in the supply mix can only be expected 10-20 years down the road.

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SUMMARY: The reflection paper provides the basics of a Just Energy Transition (JET) in South Africa, highlighting the reasons a JET is needed. The paper investigates ownership of the national Renewable Energy Independent Power Producers Procurement Programme (REI4P) projects so as to access the distribution of local versus foreign ownership for these projects. This was done to address the concern that financial benefits from these projects do not stay in South Africa. The paper outlines the type of community ownership which can drive JET and outlines international success stories for community energy ownership, the considerations and issues that could affect community energy in South Africa, and the next steps for REI4P in the context of community ownership.

KEY FINDING / RECOMMENDATIONS: The paper notes among others that clarity is needed about how the structure of Eskom would be compatible with community energy; political interference and vested interests in coal are raised as a concern; policy uncertainty exists in the energy sector; feed-in tariff is currently illegal in terms of Treasury regulations. Funding should be relocated to local manufacturing of renewable energy and development of the sector; municipal finance models need to change to accommodate community energy.

The Import Localisation and Supply Chain Disruption study is a quarterly report that seeks to identify goods from the list of imports identified in the Import Tracker report that South Africa could possibly viably manufacture. Each quarter focuses on five manufactured items from the list of imports in the corresponding quarter's Import Tracker report. The five products in this report are: Product 1: Telephones for cellular networks "mobile telephones" or for other wireless networks: designed for use when carried in the hand or on the personProduct 2: T-shirts, singlets and other vests of cotton, knitted or crochetedProduct 3: Footwear with…

The Import Localisation and Supply Chain Disruption study is a quarterly report that seeks to identify goods from the list of imports identified in the Import Tracker report that South Africa could possibly viably manufacture. Each quarter focuses on five manufactured items from the list of imports in the corresponding quarter's Import Tracker report. The five products in this report are: Product 1: Urea, whether or not in aqueous solutionProduct 2: Dextrins and other modified starchesProduct 3: Cards incorporating one or more electronic integrated circuit "smart cards": digitalProduct 4: Machines for the reception, conversion and transmission or regeneration of voice,…

The Import Localisation and Supply Chain Disruption study is a quarterly report that seeks to identify goods from the list of imports identified in the Import Tracker report that South Africa could possibly viably manufacture. Each quarter focuses on five manufactured items from the list of imports in the corresponding quarter's Import Tracker report. The five products in this report are: Product 1: Automotive components for goods vehiclesProduct 2: Generating sets, wind-poweredProduct 3: Alcoholic and other solutions used in the food and drink industriesProduct 4: Static convertersProduct 5: Parts for telephones, routers and other telecoms devices See: Import Tracker -…

SUMMARY: As part of the Draft IRP 2016, the CSIR engaged in the public consultation and submitted comments primarily related to establishing a Least-cost Base Case, technology new-build limits (on solar PV and wind) and aligning costs to the latest Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Programme (REIPPPP) Bid Window outcomes. The CSIR submission is a contribution to better understanding and improving on the current Draft IRP 2018.

KEY FINDING / RECOMMENDATIONS: The CSIR recommends, among others, transparency in all input assumptions, models and outcomes, comprehensively and consistently published; establishing annual technology new-build limits. In the interim, annual new-build limits on any new-build technologies should be removed until further investigations establish the need for them; explicitly including economic impacts of scenarios in future IRP iterations. At the very least, employment impacts should be analysed and published.

SUMMARY: The brief looks at funding opportunities available for South Africa’s key manufacturing sectors. Particularly, it highlights the different dynamics and constraints in the financing spectrum of these sectors and offers recommendations on how SA can address challenges such as employment and job creation. The brief also proposes ways in which DFIs can secure additional funding, for example through taxation from individuals and large corporations. It further highlights the risks associated with sourcing additional funding through tax and offers possible risk-mitigation strategies

KEY FINDING / RECOMMENDATIONS: Because of their high-risk nature and low short-term profit opportunities labour-intensive manufacturing sectors in South Africa suffer from inadequate financial support. Current funding models limit the ability of DFIs to fully fulfil developmental mandates. The Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) need government guarantees and stable, low-cost sources of funding. South Africa needs to create an export-import (EXIM) bank to boost the competitiveness of exported goods and services. The IDC needs to be redirected to target labour-intensive, high value-added sectors, rather than sectors that are already commercially viable and have private bank financing.

SUMMARY: This report promotes an ecosystems-based approach to promote environmental sustainability and addresses the challenges outlined in the National Development plan. It puts forward forming a Just Transition taskforce driven by the presidency to support the transition process. Several proposals are made to offset the risks of job-losses and support employment creation and intensification in the transition process.

KEY FINDING / RECOMMENDATIONS: Among proposals for job creation/intensification are, in mining, absorbing laid-off miners in infrastructure development, and repurposing abandoned mine shafts for pumped storage of electricity and for other economic activities; in manufacturing capitalising on the construction, installation, and operation of clean energy technologies including green transport vehicles, localising where the country can compete with imports manufacturing renewable energy technologies and localising production of water treatment and water conservation technologies and manufacture; and in energy enabling Eskom to invest in renewable energy.

SUMMARY: The Chamber of Mines Coal Leadership Forum, consisting of coal executives, commissioned a report to determine what needs to be done to increase the profile of the coal mining industry in the face of seemingly ineluctable negative public opinion around the use of coal in industrial processes. The report draws attention to the three industries and sectors (electricity sector; liquid fuels manufacture and basic iron and steel industry) that will be adversely affected by enforcement of strict environmental laws in South Africa. The report also considers the impact on coal exports. Domestic constraints are outlined, including factors likely to result in reduced demand for, and supply of, coal.

KEY FINDING / RECOMMENDATIONS: Four scenarios (2016-2050) with associated coal demand growth rates are presented, from a 1% decline in total coal demand, with nuclear power and renewables supplanting coal as the main primary energy source and environmental and water regulations suppressing coal use, through to a 5% increase in demand growth due to a leap in clean coal technologies, and increase in export demand leading to higher investment and government policy supportive of the industry.

SUMMARY: The power sector provides employment in three categories; direct jobs in the power generation project, indirect jobs in the supply of goods and services to the power generation project, and induced jobs in the provision of goods and services to meet consumption demands of additional directly and indirectly employed workers. However, no current accurate measure of jobs or total employment in these categories exists. Current metrics do not provide accurate insight into employment creation in the sector.

KEY FINDING / RECOMMENDATIONS: The report notes et al that the coal mining sector is the biggest absorber of unskilled labour and employs approximately 87 500 people. The Renewable Energy Power Purchasing Programme has created tens of thousands of direct jobs, with many more expected in future, as well as induced and indirect jobs. Some studies anticipate greater job losses in coal mining than will be created in RE, nuclear, or gas, while others anticipate a more positive effect in job creation in these activities.

SUMMARY: The report questions whether resistance to the expansion of coal can drive a Just Transition in South Africa. Transformative resistance requires creating “counter-power” which challenges coal on every level, builds new alliances that generate solidarity, and is potentially infused by imaginative visions of a Just Transition. This could embed the anti-coal struggle in a social movement for an alternative development path. The paper examines oppositional agency in three social spaces: mining-affected communities, the environmental justice movement, and the labour movement.

KEY FINDING / RECOMMENDATIONS: Priorities differ for each social space: job losses for labour, dispossession of land and livelihoods for rural communities, and extractivism for the environmental justice movement. Anti-coal initiatives could build a “counter-power” which challenges inequality and is infused by visions of another world beyond coal. This could cohere into a vision of a Just Transition’ that is transformative.