Assessing the effectiveness of climate finance in promoting a just transition : A case study of Siyathemba Local Municipality in the Northern Cape

The thesis seeks to explore the extent to which climate finance mobilised to support renewable energy development in Siyathemba Local Municipality (SLM) has managed to advance a just transition at the local municipal level through supporting socio-economic development and addressing injustices of the past. Furthermore, it unpacks the challenges and problems associated with effective distribution of climate finance investments in renewable energy development, map the key stakeholders involved in renewable energy development in the same area and investigate whether climate finance investment in renewable energy development has translated into long term sustainable socio-economic opportunities in the area.

Key Findings/Recommendations: Significant climate finance investments are flowing into SLM, and that these investments are changing the spatial landscape of the municipality through the process of re-industrialisation. However, the rollout of renewable energy projects in SLM has not promoted a just transition in the towns of Prieska, Marydale, Niekerkshoop and Copperton, because these projects create only temporary, poorly paid jobs for the local population who lack the skills required for the construction and operation of such projects. Furthermore, the climate finance investments have not addressed the issue of energy poverty in SLM.

Read online: https://repository.up.ac.za/handle/2263/89359