KEY POINTS
- The UNDP report highlights low awareness of the Just Energy Transition in South African coal communities.
- Concerns about job losses and government transparency overshadow community support for the transition.
- Effective media utilization is recommended to inform communities about the JET process and its impact.
In order to guarantee accurate and thorough coverage of the Just Energy Transition (JET) in South Africa, the media should be utilized efficiently.
This is a suggestion from a report that the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in South Africa just released.
Gathering and analyzing community comments from coal mining communities throughout South Africa was the goal of the Seriti Institute’s report, Just Energy Transition from the Perspectives of Mining Communities, which was funded by the UNDP.
Lack of awareness among coal mining communities
Views from coal mining towns are included, as they have historically been crucial to South Africa’s economic growth.
It addressed those who worked as coal miners, their families, and other community members who depended on the coal value chain in the provinces of Mpumalanga, Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Free State.
According to the research, neighbourhood residents are presently significantly underinformed about the JET. “Merely 36% of the participants know anything about JET, indicating that community members are still largely unaware of the program.”
Community concerns over job losses and JET implementation
According to the survey obtained by ESI-AFRICA, most community people do not regard coal as a concern and instead consider it a good source of economic opportunities in their area.
One of the main concerns expressed was the possibility of job losses as a result of moving away from coal.
Additionally, community members shared their doubts and anxieties regarding the viability and execution of JET.
They are concerned about corruption and doubt the government’s intentions, especially regarding job losses, rising unemployment, and poverty.
