Climate change is not high on South African priorities and many are unaware of what a just transition is.
A new report finds that climate change is not a high priority among South Africans, despite most South Africans acknowledging they are affected by climate and weather in some way.
Only 5% of adults mentioned environmental issues. [including climate change] Climate change is not ranked as a priority compared to other pressing concerns, with economic and safety concerns such as unemployment and crime ranking much higher on the list. Given that climate change has the potential to exacerbate unemployment, the authors believe that it is concerning that climate change is ranked so low.
The report was prepared by the Humanities Research Council (HSRC) for the President's Climate Commission (PCC) to gauge public perceptions on climate change and a just transition (moving away from coal to cleaner energy sources without endangering the livelihoods of communities).
“Overall, raising awareness of climate change is essential to build public support, spur action, and promote an effective response to this global challenge,” the authors write.
One of the concerns they cited was the apparent climate change skepticism among participants.
“South Africans are much more sceptical than people in other countries,” Professor Ben Roberts said during a webinar to launch the report and discuss its findings. Many respondents believe that climate change is part of nature and not man-made. Scepticism about climate change “needs to be challenged.”
The report noted that people who know and understand what climate change is are expressing concern about it, but compared to 2022, there was a slight decrease in the number of people who were “very/extremely worried.”
“People are worried about rising electricity bills, job losses and worsening economic situations,” said Lebogang Mulaisi, PCC's executive manager of policy and research. [climate] crisis”.
People recognized the opportunities for economic growth and improved health, but it was things like reducing power outages that were important to them, she said.
One problem is that people on the ground talk about climate change in terms of changes in crops or changes in the weather, but the holistic, bigger impacts are often not pointed out, said Professor Sarah Mosoetsa, chief executive of the HSRC.
“Climate change is an environmental issue, but it is much more. It is a socio-economic issue that affects individuals' quality of life and livelihoods, with those who are unable to earn a sustainable livelihood being disproportionately affected,” she said.
Mabu Molele of the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union pointed out that some people blame God, rather than climate change, for the floods that occurred in KwaZulu-Natal in April 2022.
A fair energy transition
The researchers found that just over 60% of respondents had little or no knowledge of a just transition, noting that “while the concept of energy transition is generally recognised in South Africa, there is little understanding of its specific terms.”
“Climate change and just transition are on policymakers' platforms and are spoken about by governments and academics, but not much attention is paid to local communities,” Mosoetsa said.
Other panelists echoed this sentiment, saying that while the community is not involved, it needs to be at the center of the discussion.
“It's essential to clarify what the term just transition means because people don't understand it. There is a clearer understanding of moving away from coal,” Transnet general manager of corporate sustainability Mapaseka Lukhele said.
The two main concerns people cited about a Just Transition were rising electricity bills (33%), job losses (32%), and the possibility of worsening rolling blackouts (24%).
When asked what positive effects they expect from a Just Transition, some 51% believe it would lead to an end or reduction in power outages, and 41% believe it would boost economic growth and lead to lower electricity prices.
About 30% of those surveyed believe the country should receive international financial assistance, while 34% said funds should not be controlled by the government.
“These views are likely linked to distrust in government, raising the idea that alternative means of managing funds should be explored,” the report authors wrote.
During the webinar, socio-cultural anthropologist Fani Miya questioned the validity of the study and called for interviews with people affected by the Just Transition. Miya said surveys alone are not enough to understand what people know and feel about climate change and the Just Transition, and that more anecdotal evidence from directly affected communities in Mpumalanga is needed.