REGVERDIGE ENERGIEOORGANG IN SUID-AFRIKA

The document defines a just energy transition as a shift toward sustainable energy that incorporates environmental justice, ensuring marginalized groups are central to decision-making. It analyzes South Africa's current energy system, which is dominated by coal (approximately 80%), and outlines the legal frameworks, such as the Constitution and NEMA, that support community rights. The guide provides practical steps for accessing information via PAIA, securing free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC), and participating in Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs). It also highlights the potential for community-based renewable energy initiatives, using a case study from Kenya to illustrate successful local ownership.

• South Africa's energy system is heavily dependent on coal, which accounts for approximately 80% of its energy, while nuclear provides about 4%, and diesel and gas make up 2%.
• The South African government is unbundling Eskom into three separate units: transmission, generation, and distribution, to allow for independent management and privatization.
• The Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2019 sets targets to include 14.4 gigawatts (GW) of wind power and 6 GW of photovoltaic (PV) solar power in the energy system by 2030.
• South Africa has committed to reducing annual greenhouse gas emissions by 17% by 2025 and between 12-32% by 2030 under its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC).
• The Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), established in 2021, involves international partners providing $8.5 billion between 2023 and 2027 to help South Africa move away from fossil fuels.
• Significant gaps exist in South Africa's energy policies, including a lack of political will for renewable investment, continued pursuit of fossil fuels, and limited integration of energy policies with labor and land laws.
• Communities can use the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) to request information from public or private bodies, typically requiring a fee of R35 and a response within 30 days.
• The principle of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) ensures that indigenous people and local communities can participate in decision-making and have the right to withhold or withdraw consent for energy projects.
• Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) are mandatory for activities listed under the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA), and the public has a right to register as interested parties and submit comments during the process.
• Community-based renewable energy initiatives can provide sustainable power to remote areas and stimulate local economic growth, as demonstrated by the Olosho-Oibor project in Kenya, which used a cooperative model to install solar and wind infrastructure.

APA

Martens, C., & Prince, N. (2023). REGVERDIGE ENERGIEOORGANG IN SUID-AFRIKA. Natural Justice. https://naturaljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/NATURAL-JUSTICE_JET-Guidebook_Afrikaans_Digital.pdf

Chicago

Martens, Claire, and Natasha Prince. REGVERDIGE ENERGIEOORGANG IN SUID-AFRIKA. Natural Justice, 2023. https://naturaljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/NATURAL-JUSTICE_JET-Guidebook_Afrikaans_Digital.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Martens |first1=Claire |last2=Prince |first2=Natasha |title=REGVERDIGE ENERGIEOORGANG IN SUID-AFRIKA |publisher=Natural Justice |date=2023 |url=https://naturaljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/NATURAL-JUSTICE_JET-Guidebook_Afrikaans_Digital.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{martens2023regverdige, author = {Martens, Claire and Prince, Natasha}, title = {{REGVERDIGE ENERGIEOORGANG IN SUID-AFRIKA}}, institution = {Natural Justice}, year = {2023}, url = {https://naturaljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/NATURAL-JUSTICE_JET-Guidebook_Afrikaans_Digital.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }