The transition to a low-carbon future is often discussed in terms of national frameworks and technical models, but what does it look like for the people on the ground? A session at the Climate Change and Futures Conference held in Namibia in October 2025, titled Climate Change: Energy Transition and Environmental Justice and Climate Policies explores this question through a series of insightful research presentations.
Social justice in the heart of coal country
The session opens with Junior Matangu from the University of Mpumalanga, who examines the “paradox of energy wealth” in Mpumalanga, South Africa. While the province houses 12 of the country’s 15 coal-fired power stations and produces 80% of its coal, local communities still face unemployment rates above 36% and significant air pollution. Matangu argues that the energy transition must be viewed as a social transformation rather than just an environmental agenda to ensure that vulnerable coal-dependent communities are not left behind. Her research highlights a “governance fragmentation” where national decarbonization goals often fail to align with local municipal resources and community needs.
The role of engineering and regulation
One of the sessions takes a critical look at the engineering sector’s readiness to combat the climate crisis. Representatives from the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) present findings showing that while 55% of engineering professionals recognize their role in addressing climate change, 72% have not received formal training on the subject. The presentation emphasizes the need for regulatory bodies to evolve from mere compliance to strategic climate leadership, embedding climate competencies directly into university curricula and professional development.
Watch the full session below to learn how researchers and regulators are working to ensure a transition that is as just as it is green.
In February 2025, the HSRC released a report, commissioned by the Presidential Climate Commission (PCC), on the public perceptions and attitudes relating to climate change and the just transition in South Africa. View the report here.
