Delivered by Dorah Marema, Head Municipal Sustainability Portfolio, South African Local Government Association (SALGA)
For too long, discussions surrounding climate action and the “Just Transition” have been dominated by the language of economic sectors, carbon metrics, investment portfolios, and national economies. We talk about green hydrogen, renewable energy targets, and the modernization of infrastructure—all vital components, no doubt.
But this focus, while necessary, risks obscuring the fundamental truth: the Just Transition is not merely about sectors and economies; it is, first and foremost, about people.
It is about the coal miner in Mpumalanga who fears for his family’s future as power stations decommission. It is about the informal waste picker whose critical work must be formalized into “decent work” with dignity and social protection. It is about the coastal community in the Eastern Cape facing the dual threats of rising sea levels and limited local economic opportunities.
As representatives of local governments, through SALGA and the broader LGMA constituency, we are the sphere of government closest to these people. We see these realities every day. We manage the impacts of climate change in real-time, from disaster recovery to the provision of essential services like water and sanitation. We know that a top-down approach, one that treats local communities as mere recipients of policy rather than active participants in their own future, is doomed to fail.
Our position is clear: the Just Transition must be vision-led, place-based, and people-centered to be truly just.
We must move beyond abstract economic models and focus on tangible human development and well-being. This means:
- Prioritising Livelihoods and Decent Work: A “green job” is not automatically a just job. It must offer fair wages, safety, security, and career prospects. We need robust skills development and retraining programmes that protect the dignity and secure the futures of vulnerable workers.
- Addressing Systemic Inequality: In South Africa, the climate crisis intersects with existing burdens of poverty, inequality, and historical injustice. A just transition is an opportunity—a once-in-a-generation chance—to address these deep-seated inequalities, ensuring that the benefits of a new, green economy are shared equitably.
- Ensuring Inclusive Governance: The voices of the marginalised must be heard. True social dialogue must involve communities, workers, and local government in every step of the planning and implementation process. This is procedural justice in action.
- Enabling Local Action with Adequate Finance: Local governments need direct access to finance and capacity building, not just promises. We need the resources to integrate climate planning into our Integrated Development Plans (IDPs) and ensure that local solutions can be scaled up for global impact.
Ultimately, the goal is not just a low-carbon economy, but a thriving, resilient society where the basic needs of all are met. When we put people first—especially those living in poverty and the vulnerable—we build a future that is not only sustainable but also fair, equitable, and resilient for everyone who calls our municipalities home.
Transitioning together requires empathy, equity, and a shared commitment to the human aspect of climate action.
Watch the webcast of the Dialogue. Ms Marema’s intervention starts at 35:00:00. The Dialogue was facilitated by Yunus Arikan, LGMA Focal Point (first part).
