Equity and Just Transition Commitments in South Africa: A Multi-Tiered Assessment of Public and Private Approaches 

As commitments to net zero have surged since the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) Special Report on 1.5°C, the need for transparency and accountability have become critical. Many climate pledges still lack the robust planning needed to ensure genuine progress, making it challenging to differentiate between meaningful action and mere rhetoric.

The Net Zero Tracker (NZT), launched in 2021, addresses this gap by providing an independent global database that monitors net zero pledges by countries, regions, cities, and major corporations. By delivering accessible, data-driven insights, the NZT enables stakeholders to assess the quality and integrity of these commitments, fostering a “race to the top” in the credibility of climate action.

 

The South African Context 

South Africa is at a critical juncture in its climate journey. With a coal-dependent energy system, the country faces unique challenges in balancing the need for economic stability with the urgency of decarbonisation. Tracking and enhancing the transparency of net zero commitments at the national and subnational levels is essential for driving ambition and attracting investment in the country’s transition to a low-carbon economy.

Equity considerations are fundamental to achieving credible climate strategies and globally. A just transition ensures that the shift to a low-carbon economy is inclusive and fair, particularly for communities that are most vulnerable to the socio-economic impacts of this transition.

 

A New Methodology for Tracking Just Transition Progress 

SSN, in collaboration with the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU), has developed a groundbreaking report to track climate mitigation targets and just transition measures across selected South African private and public sector entities. This collaboration comes at a critical time, as South Africa’s coal-dependent economy faces mounting pressure to balance its climate targets with socio-economic stability.

The report, which will be released ahead of COP29, offers insights into how public and private entities, including multinational companies, are integrating equity and Just Transition principles into their climate commitments.