Varieties of just transition: Public support in South Africa's Mpumalanga coal community for different policy options

This study explores public support for various Just Transition (JT) policies in Mpumalanga, South Africa, a coal-dependent region. It identifies four policy types: individual compensation, financial support to local governments, individual reskilling, and infrastructure upgrading. Through interviews with 51 coal miners, Eskom workers, and community members, the research reveals a strong preference for direct, quick monetary compensation to individuals. Crucially, due to low trust in government and labor unions, respondents favor independent actors like NGOs and the judiciary to administer JT funds. This suggests that trust in institutions significantly influences preferences for how transition benefits are delivered.

Key recommendations:

In South Africa's Mpumalanga coal community, direct, quick monetary compensation is strongly preferred for Just Transition (JT) benefits over reskilling or community-level investments, driven by immediate needs and a deep distrust in political institutions. There's a consensus against government and labor unions administering JT funds, due to widespread corruption perceptions. Instead, independent actors like local NGOs and the judiciary are favored for overseeing fund disbursement. This highlights the critical need for JT policies to prioritize direct support and be administered by trusted, non-governmental bodies to gain community buy-in and overcome skepticism.

Published: May 11, 2023
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pclm.0000205

Publisher: PLOS Climate
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