EXPLORING ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS FOR COAL TRUCKERS IN A BIOMASS SUPPLY CHAIN

The report finds that biomass supply chains, particularly those using lignocellulosic biomass, could offset a significant portion of the approximately 4,000 coal trucking jobs expected to decline during South Africa's energy transition. By modelling four SAF production pathways, the study estimates that nearly 75% of current coal trucking jobs could be directly transitioned to biomass transport using existing side tipper trucks. Additional opportunities exist for super link and tanker drivers, though these may require capital investment for truck conversion or specialized training. The analysis concludes that embracing a bio-based and circular economy is essential for an inclusive just transition for workers in the coal value chain.

• Approximately 4,000 people currently work as coal truck drivers in South Africa, and the energy transition is expected to decrease these hauling jobs.
• Transporting lignocellulosic biomass, such as garden waste and cleared invasive alien plants, could create nearly 3,000 jobs for side tipper truck drivers, allowing almost 75% of current coal trucking jobs to transition directly.
• The development of domestic sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production could create over 550 jobs for super link truck drivers to transport Solaris tobacco seeds and more than 300 jobs for tanker drivers to move vegetable oil, ethanol, and syncrude.
• If South Africa implements all four assessed SAF pathways in parallel, it could result in nearly 7,500 truck driver jobs, with over 3,800 of these based in coal regions.
• Transitioning to super link driver roles would require converting current coal truck trailers to flatbeds, necessitating a capital investment of R200,000 to R300,000 per truck.
• While side tipper skills are directly transferable, coal drivers may require additional training to transition to tanker jobs; however, these roles could also be filled by drivers from the shrinking petroleum products value chain.
• A shift from coal to biomass transportation is expected to preserve most existing employment related to truck refuelling and maintenance.

APA

Chireshe, F., & Bole-Rentel, T. (2022). EXPLORING ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS FOR COAL TRUCKERS IN A BIOMASS SUPPLY CHAIN. WWF South Africa. https://wwfafrica.awsassets.panda.org/downloads/tips_alternatives_for_coal_truckers_feb_2022.pdf

Chicago

Chireshe, Farai, and Tjasa Bole-Rentel. EXPLORING ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS FOR COAL TRUCKERS IN A BIOMASS SUPPLY CHAIN. WWF South Africa, 2022. https://wwfafrica.awsassets.panda.org/downloads/tips_alternatives_for_coal_truckers_feb_2022.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Chireshe |first1=Farai |last2=Bole-Rentel |first2=Tjasa |title=EXPLORING ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS FOR COAL TRUCKERS IN A BIOMASS SUPPLY CHAIN |publisher=WWF South Africa |date=January 2022 |url=https://wwfafrica.awsassets.panda.org/downloads/tips_alternatives_for_coal_truckers_feb_2022.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{chireshe2022exploring, author = {Chireshe, Farai and Bole-Rentel, Tjasa}, title = {{EXPLORING ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS FOR COAL TRUCKERS IN A BIOMASS SUPPLY CHAIN}}, institution = {WWF South Africa}, year = {2022}, month = jan, url = {https://wwfafrica.awsassets.panda.org/downloads/tips_alternatives_for_coal_truckers_feb_2022.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }