[{"bbox": [85, 151, 406, 178], "category": "Section-header", "text": "## Organized Labour and Workers"}, {"bbox": [85, 178, 1144, 260], "category": "List-item", "text": "- Trade Unions: National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) represent workers in the coal and energy sectors. They advocate for worker protections, retraining, and reskilling programs to minimize job losses."}, {"bbox": [85, 269, 1147, 351], "category": "Text", "text": "**Civil Society and Community Based Organizations:** Particularly those in coal-mining regions like Mpumalanga and Limpopo, who are directly impacted by the transition and including women's organizations and organizations of people with disabilities."}, {"bbox": [85, 390, 497, 419], "category": "Section-header", "text": "## 2.4 Additional Areas of Assessment"}, {"bbox": [85, 435, 286, 463], "category": "Section-header", "text": "### 2.4.1 Public Policy"}, {"bbox": [85, 475, 643, 504], "category": "Section-header", "text": "#### The Just Energy Transition Partnership in South Africa⁵"}, {"bbox": [85, 504, 1145, 664], "category": "Text", "text": "The global climate crisis and increasing energy demands have pressured countries to transition to sustainable, low-carbon energy systems. A \"Just Energy Transition\" (JET) represents a shift to clean energy while ensuring fairness, equity, and inclusion for workers and communities that depend on fossil fuel industries. South Africa, as one of the most coal-dependent economies in the world, finds itself at the forefront of this transformation. However, its energy landscape is intertwined with profound socioeconomic challenges, including unemployment, poverty, and inequality."}, {"bbox": [85, 674, 1145, 809], "category": "Text", "text": "The Just Energy Transition in South Africa aims to address the dual challenges of decarbonization and social justice. By transitioning to renewable energy sources, South Africa hopes to meet its international commitments under the Paris Agreement while ensuring the shift does not exacerbate existing inequalities. Given the historical dependence on coal for employment and energy security, South Africa's JETP must be carefully managed to minimize disruption and maximize opportunity."}, {"bbox": [85, 819, 1145, 901], "category": "Text", "text": "In addition, a growing body of data and evidence underscores the necessity of incorporating gender equality considerations in just transition policies and initiatives. To be truly equitable, inclusive and fair, a just transition must take a human rights-based, intersectional approach with social protection and care at the centre⁶."}, {"bbox": [85, 950, 427, 978], "category": "Section-header", "text": "#### Energy Landscape in South Africa"}, {"bbox": [85, 978, 1145, 1085], "category": "Text", "text": "South Africa's energy system is mainly coal-dependent, making it one of Africa's largest emitters of greenhouse gases (GHGs). Around 80% of South Africa's electricity is generated from coal-fired power plants, operated predominantly by Eskom, the state-owned power utility. This heavy reliance has resulted in significant environmental and health costs, with air and water pollution being major concerns in coal-producing areas like Mpumalanga."}, {"bbox": [85, 1096, 1145, 1230], "category": "Text", "text": "The country's coal industry is deeply tied to its economy and labour market. South Africa is the world's seventh-largest coal producer, and coal mining employs approximately 100,000 workers. Beyond direct employment, coal indirectly supports communities that rely on industry for economic activity. However, the environmental impact of coal has led to growing international and domestic pressure for South Africa to decarbonize its economy and adopt cleaner energy alternatives."}, {"bbox": [85, 1240, 1145, 1349], "category": "Text", "text": "South Africa has committed to reducing its GHG emissions in response to the global call for climate action. As part of its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement, the country aims to peak emissions by 2025 and reduce reliance on coal power. Yet, the transition must account for the socioeconomic realities, as abrupt decarbonization could worsen poverty and inequality for coal-dependent communities."}, {"bbox": [85, 1359, 543, 1388], "category": "Section-header", "text": "#### The Just Energy Transition Partnership (JET)"}, {"bbox": [85, 1398, 1145, 1504], "category": "Text", "text": "The Just Energy Transition (JET) partnership is South Africa's response to the urgent need for decarbonization while ensuring no one is left behind. At its core, the JET seeks to balance the transition to renewable energy sources with socioeconomic justice. It acknowledges that a transition from coal cannot come at the expense of workers and vulnerable communities."}, {"bbox": [85, 1571, 378, 1599], "category": "Footnote", "text": "⁵ https://justenergytransition.co.za/"}, {"bbox": [85, 1620, 744, 1646], "category": "Footnote", "text": "⁶ A Gender-responsive just transition for people and planet, UNWOMEN 2024"}, {"bbox": [1037, 1681, 1145, 1707], "category": "Page-footer", "text": "Page 8 of 29"}]