Resistance to coal inequalities and the possibilities of a just transition in South Africa

This article argues that coal mining and burning is a major driver of environmental inequality in South Africa. This article identifies the sources of resistance to coal mining and burning that is emerging from different social spaces. The article further discuss the possibilities of a just transition in South Africa given the available competing interest involved.

Key Findings/Recommendations: Findings are that there are three different priorities of resistance emanating from the mining affected communities, environmental justice organisations and labour: dispossession of land and livelihoods for rural communities, the reduction of carbon emissions for the environmental movement and jobs for the labour movement. Suggestions are that, despite heavy obstacles, anti-coal initiatives are building a counter-power which challenges inequality, generates solidarity and is potentially infused by visions of another world beyond coal. Following the ‘social power’ approach this vision could, with deeper connections between the above sites of resistance to coal, cohere into a vision of a ‘just transition’.

Read online: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/epdf/10.1080/0376835X.2019.1660859?needAccess=true