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UNDERSTANDING AND PLANNING FOR LOCAL INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY AND CAPABILITY FOR MPUMALANGA’S JUST TRANSITION

Institution / Author:
Hermanus, L., Kamanzi, B., and Pearson, K.
Year:
2023
Sectoral focus:
Energy, Coal
Thematic focus:
Economic Diversification Strategies, Community engagement, Community development, Just Transition Partnerships, Coal, Stakeholder Engagement, Mining Transition, Decarbonisation
Type of analysis:
Stakeholder engagement
Type of document:
Research report
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Understanding and planning for Local Institutional Capacity and Capability for Mpumalanga`s Just Transition

Overview: 

This paper analyses the readiness of institutions in Mpumalanga, South Africa, to manage a “just transition” — the shift from coal-based energy/economy to a low-carbon, sustainable future. It assesses the existing capacity (resources, infrastructure, staff, funding) and capability (governance, flexibility, decision-making, stakeholder coordination) of provincial and municipal governments to steer this transition. It identifies gaps and risks in governance, finance, infrastructure and service delivery, especially given dependence on coal and high social vulnerability. Finally, it proposes priority intervention points — including capacity-building and system-level “labs” — to support effective, localised transition planning and implementation.

Recommendations:

  • Strengthen institutional governance & coordination — local governments should establish clear internal governance structures (roles, controls, oversight) and designate a dedicated institutional “home” for just-transition coordination, to avoid fragmented or ad hoc efforts.
  • Strengthen institutional governance & coordination — local governments should establish clear internal governance structures (roles, controls, oversight) and designate a dedicated institutional “home” for just-transition coordination, to avoid fragmented or ad hoc efforts.
  • Leverage external support — but build internal capacity — while external assistance (national government, donors, NGOs) will be critical, reliance on it must not stifle internal capacity-building; municipalities need to develop their own financial, technical and governance capabilities for long-term sustainability.
  • Prioritise economic diversification and local-led development — through local economic development (LED) planning and new green/economic sectors, municipalities should reduce coal-dependence and build resilient local economies that can absorb job losses from the coal phase-out.
  • Implement robust risk-management, monitoring and adaptive governance — integrate risk-management across municipal/district/provincial plans, and set up monitoring, evaluation and learning systems to track progress, adapt as context changes, and ensure the transition remains “just” for vulnerable communities

Publisher: Urban Transitions

Source: Click here to download.