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Just energy transitions as a path towards fair and place-based fossil fuel phase-outs? - The case of the just energy transition in South Africa

Strenkert, Anna Kerstin LU (2025) In Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science MESM02 20251
LUCSUS (Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies)
Abstract
Given the need to mitigate adverse impacts of fossil fuel phase-outs, this thesis investigates whetherjust energy transitions lead to inclusive and place-based outcomes, focusing on the Just EnergyTransition (JET) in South Africa. Using a political economy and procedural justice lens, and drawing oninterviews with key stakeholders, the study explores the inclusivity of decision-making processes inthe country's coal phase-out. The findings reveal that the JET process falls short of procedural justicegoals, primarily due to unequal stakeholder influence, fragmented governance, and a lack of clarityregarding roles and objectives. The research concludes that although just energy transitions areessential, the planning of South Africa’s JET... (More)
Given the need to mitigate adverse impacts of fossil fuel phase-outs, this thesis investigates whetherjust energy transitions lead to inclusive and place-based outcomes, focusing on the Just EnergyTransition (JET) in South Africa. Using a political economy and procedural justice lens, and drawing oninterviews with key stakeholders, the study explores the inclusivity of decision-making processes inthe country's coal phase-out. The findings reveal that the JET process falls short of procedural justicegoals, primarily due to unequal stakeholder influence, fragmented governance, and a lack of clarityregarding roles and objectives. The research concludes that although just energy transitions areessential, the planning of South Africa’s JET faces significant challenges in achieving inclusivity andaligning diverse objectives and needs. These insights contribute to broader debates on fair, place-based approaches to sustainable coal transitions. The study recommends addressing structural andprocedural deficiencies to prevent the reinforcement of existing inequalities. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Strenkert, Anna Kerstin LU
supervisor
organization
course
MESM02 20251
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
low-carbon transitions, just energy transitions, political economy, procedural justice, South Africa, stakeholder engagement, sustainability science
publication/series
Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science
report number
2025:032
language
English
id
9195834
date added to LUP
2025-06-12 15:24:28
date last changed
2025-06-18 09:02:38
@misc{9195834,
  abstract     = {{Given the need to mitigate adverse impacts of fossil fuel phase-outs, this thesis investigates whetherjust energy transitions lead to inclusive and place-based outcomes, focusing on the Just EnergyTransition (JET) in South Africa. Using a political economy and procedural justice lens, and drawing oninterviews with key stakeholders, the study explores the inclusivity of decision-making processes inthe country's coal phase-out. The findings reveal that the JET process falls short of procedural justicegoals, primarily due to unequal stakeholder influence, fragmented governance, and a lack of clarityregarding roles and objectives. The research concludes that although just energy transitions areessential, the planning of South Africa’s JET faces significant challenges in achieving inclusivity andaligning diverse objectives and needs. These insights contribute to broader debates on fair, place-based approaches to sustainable coal transitions. The study recommends addressing structural andprocedural deficiencies to prevent the reinforcement of existing inequalities.}},
  author       = {{Strenkert, Anna Kerstin}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  series       = {{Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science}},
  title        = {{Just energy transitions as a path towards fair and place-based fossil fuel phase-outs? - The case of the just energy transition in South Africa}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}