The role of municipalities in implementing just transitions

The 2020s is arguably the most important decade for climate action in human history. By 2030, either the world will keep alive the goals of the Paris Agreement, or put them out of reach. There are unprecedented waves of momentum for change, as there are limits to change with current approaches, which requires critical reflection, course correction and experimenting with new ideas and new ways of working. At the heart of this challenge is implementation. Central to implementation, is the role of cities, where now the majority of the world population lives. The progress achieved by the multilateral process under the UNFCCC, provides a platform from which cities can catalyse action at scale and speed. This includes increased participation in the formulation and implementation of the next round of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), through for example the Coalition for High Ambition Multilevel Partnerships (CHAMP). Nationally opportunities are also present. In South Africa this includes the Just Transition Framework (JTF), Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP, announced at COP 26), JET Investment Plan, JET Implementation Plan, all of which allocate a major role for cities. This research explores the role of cities in visioning and guiding just transitions through the experience of the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality (STLM), a municipality in the heart of the coal belt of South Africa and at the forefront of a just transition, and investigates the role of knowledge and policy processes in developing STLM’s Integrated Development Plan’s (IDP) just transition chapter, and in developing just transition projects for the municipality and reflects on learnings from this process. The research aims to highlight findings and insights that can be shared with other African cities as they too seek to steer their own just transitions and climate action.