Just energy transitions as a path towards fair and place-based fossil fuel phase-outs?

Given the need to mitigate adverse impacts of fossil fuel phase-outs, this thesis investigates whether just energy transitions lead to inclusive and place-based outcomes, focusing on the Just Energy Transition (JET) in South Africa. Using a political economy and procedural justice lens, and drawing on interviews with key stakeholders, the study explores the inclusivity of decision-making processes in the country’s coal phase-out. The findings reveal that the JET process falls short of procedural justice goals, primarily due to unequal stakeholder influence, fragmented governance, and a lack of clarity regarding roles and objectives. The research concludes that although just energy transitions are essential, the planning of South Africa’s JET faces significant challenges in achieving inclusivity and aligning diverse objectives and needs. These insights contribute to broader debates on fair, place-based approaches to sustainable coal transitions. The study recommends addressing structural and procedural deficiencies to prevent the reinforcement of existing inequalities