Development and Implementation of a Just Transition SMME Facility

JUST SA supports the implementation of pathways towards a Just Transition towards an environmentally sustainable, climate-change resilient, low-carbon economy and just society. At the national level, the project supports the implementation of the Just Transition Framework, ensuring an inclusive and results-oriented process. At regional level, the project assists the Mpumalanga provincial government in formulating a concrete, sustainable and just green economy transition plan for a diversified regional economy, which covers skills pathway development and finance mechanisms. At the local level, the project implements the plan, pilots, and scales up in selected municipalities of Mpumalanga and private sector action is incentivised. Furthermore, mine rehabilitation is addressed with a focus on mine water treatment through research, policy implementation and community engagement. Lessons learnt are fed back into the dialogue process.? JUST SA supports the implementation of the JUST Transition Framework, piloting measures in selected municipalities and especially providing regional and local support in Mpumalanga.? JUST SA aims to address multiple challenges at once by creating new jobs in emerging economic sectors while raising awareness of climate change and biodiversity. Also, the project will promote equal opportunities for different gender groups and youth. The approach ensures that economic growth is balanced with social and environmental considerations, leading to a sustainable and green economy for all.? JUST SA makes an impactful contribution to the region of Mpumalanga and aims to replicate this in South Africa, aiming for South Africa to become a role model for the world to follow.?? To achieve considerable progress in the structural change to a decarbonized economy in South Africa (Impact), the envisioned Outcome of the project is that the implementation of alternative development pathways towards a Just Transition has been initiated. This requires on the one hand, clear ideas and a broad acceptance of alternative, low-emission economic development models, and on the other hand tested approaches and business models that can be taken up at a broader scale. The project is based on a consortium with strong local anchoring and a balanced range of actors engaging at different levels. The work is primarily done through local players which will benefit the stakeholder engagement and planning process. The JUST SA consortium members are GIZ, Trade & Industrial Policy Strategies (TIPS), Worldwide Fund for Nature- South Africa (WWF SA), National Business Institute (NBI), and a close collaboration with the Mpumalanga Green Cluster Agency. The political partner institution is the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE). DFFE has the mandate for all climate matters and work carried out to enable a Just Transition. At the same time, it is intended to cooperate with additional implementing partners. Hence, other relevant stakeholders (e.g., other line departments such as the Department of Minerals Resource and Energy (DMRE), Department of Public Enterprise (DPE), the Presidency, the Presidential Climate Commission (PCC), South African Local Government Association (SALGA), Mpumalanga Office of the Premier, Mpumalanga Provincial Government, and actors, ESKOM as a state-owned enterprise, private sector, research institutions, civil society will be included in the project implementation.