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Just transition offers a way for fossil fuel-dependant economies to meet climate goals, while ensuring that society as a whole - communities, workers, young people and marginalised groups - remain in the forefront of the conversation.
This book explores the political economy of just transition in East, West and Southern Africa in order to shine a light on contested epistemologies, policy configurations and case studies of practice at various scales. In the African context, just transition is particularly significant due to the continent's rich natural resources, including oil, gas, and minerals, which have historically been exploited without adequate consideration for environmental sustainability and local communities' socio-economic rights. This book analyses how just transition, in practice, should aim to rectify these historical injustices by promoting inclusive decision-making processes that involve the affected groups, workers and communities. Bringing together leading scholars in the field, who apply a climate justice analytical lens and just transition concepts, the chapters question the extent to which pathways towards net zero carbon emissions by 2050 are achievable in Africa and whether this can be attained without undermining economic growth, jobs, livelihoods and lives.
Just Transition and Climate Justice in Sub-Saharan Africa will be an important read for policymakers as well as for researchers in the fields of climate justice, environmental law, African and environmental studies.
List of contents
PART I
1 Climate Justice and Just Transition in Sub-Saharan Africa: A ProloguePhilani Moyo, Willice O. Abuya and Gabriel Botchwey2 Just Transition in South Africa: Ideological Contradictions, Contested Policy and PracticePhilani Moyo3 Mapping Climate Finance and Governance Mechanisms for a Just Transition in UgandaEric Mabonga4 Climate Governance for Climate Justice in Ghana: Progress and ChallengesThomas P Botchway and Emmanuel LetsyoPART II
5 The Climate Change-Mining Nexus: Decarbonisation for a Just Transition in Kenya's Extractive IndustryWillice O. Abuya6 Organised Labour and Just Energy Transition in South Africa and Zimbabwe: Is a Worker-Centred Transition Possible in the Coal Value-Chain?Samukele Hadebe and Philani Moyo7 Climate Action and the Just Transition in Ghana: Experiences and Evidence in Mining, Water and Forestry SectorsGabriel Botchwey8 Intersecting Climate Resilient Development and Just Energy Transition Strategies in ZimbabweCornelias Ncube and Philani MoyoPART III
9 Adaptation in Coastal Areas of Ghana: Opportunities and Challenges for a Just TransitionBlessing Charuka, Donatus B Angnuureng, Rael Adhiambo, Godwin Tutu, Nanabanyin Ekumah, Emuobonuvie G Ayeta, Richmond Korang and Denis W Aheto10 Climate and Gender Justice in Eswatini: Opportunities and Omissions Towards a Just TransitionSipho F Mamba, Thabo Ndlovu and Cornelias Ncube11 Climate Change and Education System Disruptions in Sub-Saharan Africa: A ReviewJohn M Ongubo12 Topical yet an Afterthought: Media Coverage of Just Transition in Malawi and Zambia Nhlanhla Ngwenya and Tabani Moyo
About the author
is a Professor of Sociology at the University of Fort Hare in South Africa. He holds a DPhil and MA from the University of Leeds, United Kingdom. His primary research interests are in climate justice, just transition, adaptation and resilience building, climate resilient food systems and food justice. One of his recent books is
Climate Action in Southern Africa: Implications for Climate Justice and Just Transition' (editor) (Routledge, 2024). Philani sits on the Board of Directors for the Association for Applied and Clinical Sociology (USA), is a Member of the Development Studies Association of the UK, Member of the South African Sociological Association and Co-Lead of the Future Earth Africa Hub Leadership Centre's Sustainability Science Cluster on 'Degrowth and Climate Justice in Africa'.
is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Sociology, Moi University, Kenya, specialising in Environmental Sociology. His most recent publication is '
Identity and Moralities' in '
African Values and Development: Rethinking Agenda 2063' (Routledge, 2025). His current international research partnership is with University of Geneva's 'Violence Against Environmental Defenders in Mining' project. He is also Co-Lead of the Future Earth Africa Hub Leadership Centre's Sustainability Science Cluster focusing on 'Degrowth and Climate Justice'. Willice is also an Associate Editor for the Journal 'Extractive Industry and Society'.
Gabriel Botchwey is an Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Education Winneba, Ghana. He holds a PhD in Politics and International Studies (Leeds), MA in Development Studies (Netherlands) and Master of Laws (Ghana). Recent publications:
'Small-scale Mining, Environmental Destruction and Democracy Capture: The Government of Ghana's Failed 'War on Galamsey'; 'Small-Scale Mining, Environment and Livelihoods: Perspectives from Mining Communities in Ghana'; '
Working with Legal Small-Scale Miners: Implications for Development'. Gabriel is also Co-Lead of the Future Earth Africa Hub Leadership Centre's Sustainability Science Cluster focusing on 'Degrowth and Climate Justice'
