Growth, Equity, and a Just Transition in the Beef Sector in South Africa

Overview:

This Guidance Memo critically examines South Africa's beef industry growth strategy, assessing its potential to achieve a just transition through broad Black smallholder farmer inclusion, equitable livelihoods, and ecological regeneration. It identifies a tension between the industry's economic drivers, like output maximization and competitive pressures, and goals of inclusion and ecological sustainability. The report highlights challenges current economic patterns pose to aligning multiple objectives for fair work, healthy landscapes, and food rights. It proposes interventions and actionable recommendations to initiate dialogue for a more just transition in the beef sector.

Key recommendations:

Key recommendations for a just transition in South Africa's beef sector include commissioning a socio-ecological assessment to address knowledge gaps, especially on feedlot impacts, for informed policy making. It is vital to set clear, equitable emission targets for the sector, moving beyond simple growth to redistribute emissions and ensure sustainable practices. Strategies must integrate environmental sustainability with social equity, reconfiguring labor markets for better conditions and linking economic viability to just production levels. Rethinking beef production and diets is necessary, promoting resilience and possibly limiting growth for more equitable consumption patterns.

Publisher: Tiny Beam Fund.
Citation Bennie, A., & Bowman, A. (2024)

Download here or copy this link: https://www.issuelab.org/resources/44306/44306.pdf