A case study on the Just Energy Transition partnership: South Africa
Project name:
A case study on the Just Energy Transition partnership: South Africa
Project partners:
- Merin Jacob
- Prof. Mark Swilling
Funders:
Oxfam South Africa
Project period:
2023
Project outputs:
A case study report on the South Africa JET-P
Project Description
Oxfam is advocating for a just, equitable and transformative clean energy transition (JET) as a key strand of it’s influencing on Climate Justice. The recent Just Energy Transition Partnerships (JET-Ps) in South Africa, Indonesia, Vietnam and Senegal reflect the realisation by the international community that the way in which low- and middle-income economies (LMICs) develop over the next decade will have a significant influence on global climate targets and that sufficient investment needs to flow to these countries to enable them to transition to a low carbon economy. Many observers see the JET-Ps as an innovative model for international cooperation for LMICs to clear their 1.5 pathways, achieve their economic targets, and address the adverse effects of the energy transition on vulnerable communities and social groups. If successful, they could provide the template for financing energy transitions globally. However, while JET-Ps, present LMICs with new opportunities, including new funding, they also pose critical challenges and risks, and it is not clear that they in practice they adhere full to just transition principles. Oxfam country teams and partner in South Africa and other JET-P countries (Indonesia, Vietnam, Senegal) and affiliates are keen to have an informed position on the JETPs to inform their national and global influencing to ensure that they help enable a just transition in line with its energy access and development needs. This case study on the South Africa JET-P was commissioned by Oxfam in order to:
a) Inform Oxfam’s understanding of, and narratives on Just Energy Transition Partnerships (JETPs) in South Africa including the benefits and threats of these partnerships to communities and governments.
b) Inform and underpin Oxfam’s national and global advocacy, lobby, and media work around JETPs and the JET and ensure it is informed and guided by an in-depth understanding of what is happening at country level in terms of key policy developments and implementation frameworks.
c) Develop Oxfam’s expertise on JETPs and move it into a space of a watchdog for other JETP’s to come (e.g., in India).
