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This briefing from the International Institute for Sustainable Development argues that Just Energy Transition Partnerships (JETPs) in South Africa, Indonesia, India, Vietnam, and Senegal should facilitate a direct leap from fossil fuels to renewable energy, bypassing fossil gas to avoid economic volatility and asset stranding.

This policy brief examines Just Energy Transition Partnerships (JETPs) in South Africa, Indonesia, India, Vietnam, and Senegal. It argues that these partnerships should facilitate a direct leapfrog from fossil fuels to renewable energy, rather than using fossil gas as a bridging fuel, which the author claims is economically risky, technically unnecessary, and climatically dangerous.

This briefing examines the limitations of Just Energy Transition Partnerships (JETPs) and proposes South-South cooperation as a complementary approach to advance sustainable and equitable transitions in low- and middle-income countries, specifically highlighting potential collaboration between South Africa and Colombia.

This background note provides energy production and demand forecasts for Africa and the global community up to 2043, based on the International Futures (IFs) forecasting platform. It details the transition of energy sources, the growth of African energy demand driven by population increases, and the status of fossil fuel reserves and renewable energy projects across the continent.

This policy brief argues that secure land tenure is a prerequisite for the just engagement of indigenous communities in South Africa's energy transition. Focusing on the Boegoebaai green hydrogen hub in the Northern Cape, the document highlights how the Richtersveld community's unresolved land restitution claims and historical dispossessions risk further marginalization. It calls for the conclusion of land claims, the adoption of inclusive partnership models (similar to those in Canada), and the institutionalization of free, prior, and informed consent to prevent land alienation and ensure indigenous people benefit as owners or partners rather than mere beneficiaries.

This policy brief examines climate financing mechanisms in Brazil and South Africa, focusing on carbon pricing, green bonds, green taxonomies, and central bank regulations. It argues that these two BRICS nations are well-positioned to lead the Global South in advocating for a reformed global financial architecture—specifically the restructuring of the World Bank and IMF—to ensure more affordable and equitable climate finance for developing economies.

This briefing by RMI analyzes the state of the global coal transition in 2022, highlighting a contradiction where coal emissions are poised to break records while retired and canceled coal capacity also hit record levels. The document focuses on the emergence of Coal Transition Mechanisms (CTMs) and Just Energy Transition Partnerships (JETPs) as critical financial levers to accelerate the shift from coal to clean energy, particularly in South Africa, Indonesia, and Vietnam.

A letter from the Climate Energy and Health Special Interest Group of the Public Health Association of South Africa (PHASA) to the Minister of Health, urging public health leadership to ensure a just and green recovery from COVID-19 that addresses the climate crisis and transitions away from fossil fuels.

This research paper proposes a worker-centric climate response for South Africa, emphasizing state-led financing through a dedicated climate response fund to ensure an equitable transition to a green economy.

The Centre for Environmental Rights, on behalf of the Life after Coal Campaign, submitted further comments on the draft South African Renewable Energy Masterplan (SAREM) in August 2023. The submission argues that gender equality and justice must be a deliberate, central outcome of the energy transition rather than an afterthought, as systemic patriarchy and existing discrimination currently limit women's participation in the renewable energy sector.

The 100 Days Report details the activities of Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) from February 5 to May 15, 2021. The organization focused on advocacy for Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7), supporting the UN High-level Dialogue on Energy and the COP26 Energy Transition Council, and providing technical assistance for energy access in several developing nations.

A statement by the Life After Coal (LAC) campaign—comprising the Centre for Environmental Rights, Earthlife Africa, and groundWork—urging the South African government to lead at COP27 by supporting climate-vulnerable nations and accelerating a domestic Just Transition away from fossil fuels.

This research paper analyzes South Africa's G20 presidency, focusing on its efforts to advance African priorities and the broader Global South development agenda amidst a challenging geopolitical climate. The author evaluates four primary priorities—debt sustainability, climate and energy transitions, disaster resilience, and critical minerals—concluding that while the presidency has successfully raised global awareness and shaped the narrative for African development, the ambitious goals are unlikely to be fully realized in practice due to a lack of international consensus.

This research paper by the Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) examines the role of Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) in providing climate finance for South Africa's Just Energy Transition (JET). It focuses on the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), arguing that its current self-financing model and commercial risk appetite hinder its ability to provide the 'patient capital' necessary for green industrialisation and worker transitions. The paper proposes a shift toward recapitalisation via fiscal and monetary instruments, more concessional lending, and democratised governance to align the IDC with socially just and worker-centred climate goals.

This research paper by the Institute for Security Studies examines the impact of various global carbon tax scenarios on Africa's energy transition and economic future, specifically highlighting the 'Sustainable Africa' scenario.

This policy brief by Transforma and Power Shift Africa outlines a framework for a Just Energy Transition (JET) in Latin America, the Caribbean, and Africa. It advocates for a total phase-out of fossil fuels by 2040, emphasizing that the transition must be a comprehensive social, economic, and environmental transformation. The document highlights the need for grant-based financing from developed nations, the sustainable management of transition minerals, and the prioritization of energy access and social justice to address historical inequalities and the disproportionate impact of climate change on the Global South.

This policy brief examines the barriers Local Green Entrepreneurs (LGEs) face in South Africa, specifically focusing on the lack of inclusive finance. It argues that while small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs) are critical for decarbonisation and climate adaptation, they are hindered by limited risk appetite from funders, compliance-driven ESG requirements, and regulatory red tape. The document recommends the development of a Green Economy Framework and the adoption of innovative finance mechanisms to support black-, youth-, and female-owned green enterprises.

This document presents the Terms of Reference (ToR) for a mid-term evaluation audit of the 'Active climate change citizenship for a just transition in South Africa' intervention. The audit is commissioned by the GreenCape Sector Development Agency to assess progress, identify drivers or hindrances of success, and provide recommendations for the remainder of the project's duration.

This toolkit provides a human rights-based approach (HRBA) to climate finance, specifically designed for civil society organisations and trade unions to advocate for just energy transitions in developing nations. It critiques the 'Billions to Trillions' (B2T) neoliberal agenda and the Just Energy Transition - Investment Plan (JET-IP) in South Africa, arguing that these models prioritise private profit and debt over public goods and human rights. The guide outlines six clusters of rights-based principles—ranging from national responsibilities and sovereignty to debt relief in times of crisis—and provides practical 'How to' guides and factsheets to help advocates influence climate investment plans and national budgeting processes.

This policy brief describes the South African Renewables Initiative (SARi), a government-led effort launched in December 2011 to establish financing arrangements for scaling up renewable energy. The initiative aims to achieve a target of 19 GW of renewable electricity by 2030 while managing the incremental costs compared to coal-fired power to avoid unacceptable economic burdens on the public.