The just energy transition could reverse South Africa’s decline, but the focus has to be local

The Presidential Climate Commission (PCC) sees the just energy transition (JET) as one of the turning points in South African history. So affirmed PCC employment strategy head Devan Pillay. He was speaking in a panel discussion at the Windaba 2024 conference, being held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. The JET, he said, allowed the country to turn the tide of economic decline that had engulfed the country since 2010. But what did just transition mean? The PCC defined it as simply “achieving a decent life for all”. But, in doing this, decision-making became key. As decisions affected people, they had to benefit from them.