Ethnographic Research as a Tool for More Inclusive Just Transition Policies

This report explores the use of ethnographic research to enhance the inclusivity and participatory nature of South Africa's just energy transition, specifically within the coal-dependent communities of Mpumalanga.

• Ethnographic research, characterized by long-term engagement and co-production, is more effective than one-off consultations for bridging trust gaps, capturing lived experiences, and amplifying marginalized voices in policy design. In communities such as Komati, Phola, and Emalahleni, this approach revealed critical information gaps and the exclusion of informal workers and women, as well as a decline in community services after coal plants closed.
• To ensure vulnerable groups like youth and women are included in the just energy transition, the report recommends institutionalizing co-production, creating dedicated funding for inclusive engagement, and training community leaders and government officials in participatory research methods.

APA

Rampedi,, T. L. V. (2025). Ethnographic Research as a Tool for More Inclusive Just Transition Policies. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/ethnographic-research-just-transition-south-africa

Chicago

Rampedi,, Tracy Ledger,Bathandwa Vazi,Mahlatse. Ethnographic Research as a Tool for More Inclusive Just Transition Policies. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2025. https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/ethnographic-research-just-transition-south-africa.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Rampedi, |first1=Tracy Ledger,Bathandwa Vazi,Mahlatse |title=Ethnographic Research as a Tool for More Inclusive Just Transition Policies |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=14 November 2025 |url=https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/ethnographic-research-just-transition-south-africa |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{rampedi2025ethnographic, author = {Rampedi,, Tracy Ledger,Bathandwa Vazi,Mahlatse}, title = {{Ethnographic Research as a Tool for More Inclusive Just Transition Policies}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2025}, month = nov, url = {https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/ethnographic-research-just-transition-south-africa}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }