Advocacy for a Whole-of-Society Just Transition: Strategies and Recommendations
SAIIA, the Public Affairs Research Institute and Agence Française de Développement on 18 November hosted a G20 Social Summit side event focusing on advocating for a whole-of-society just transition.
The recent G20 side event, “Advocacy for a Whole-of-Society Just Transition: Strategies and Recommendations”, convened by a partnership including SAIIA, the French Development Agency (AFD), and the Public Affairs Research Institute (PARI) on 18 November 2025, ahead of the G20 Social Summit, brought together key voices to foreground inclusive development and practical justice in South Africa’s energy transition. The event emphasised that a just transition goes beyond technical transformation. At its core, it is about justice, dignity, and redistribution. The recurring argument was that vulnerable groups must not be left behind.
Justice, Livelihoods and Access
Speakers and participants emphasised the importance of a just transition based on justice and dignity, with meaningful redistribution to help the poorest and most vulnerable.
Affordable, accessible electricity emerged as a major theme, with many South African households still unable to afford basic energy needs despite this being central to livelihoods, small businesses, and food security. There were strong calls for renewable energy to be recognised as a public good and not simply a commodity, marking it fundamental to closing inequality gaps.
Policy Reflecting Lived Realities
It was stressed that policy must reflect the lived experiences of communities, particularly those of informal workers, women, and marginalised groups whose needs are often overlooked in policymaking. Meaningful participation in transition planning and delivery is essential. Advocacy needs to ensure that equity is at the forefront, with tailored support for young people, women, and the unemployed, especially in regions bearing the brunt of energy transition impacts.
Public Employment and Social Value
The dialogue emphasised that public employment programmes should offer more than just work. They should prioritise the quality of jobs and social value. Such initiatives ought to build local resilience, delivering benefits that last beyond the transition period itself.
Recommendations
Discussions set forward clear recommendations for strengthening both public acceptance and implementation, including:
Discussions presented clear recommendations for improving both public acceptance and implementation, including:
Embedding justice, dignity, and redistribution into all transition policies.
Treating renewable energy as a public good to expand access and affordability.
Ensuring that policy responds to the realities of informal workers, women, and marginalised groups.
Placing quality and social value at the forefront of public employment programmes.
Encouraging broad, cross-sector collaboration and transparency in advocacy efforts.
Engaged Dialogue and Forward Momentum
A robust Q&A session helped shape these recommendations, pointing to the centrality of civil society engagement, evidence-based policy, and iterative learning. The discussion concluded by underscoring that South Africa’s G20 presidency offered a vital opportunity to lead the justice and energy transition to ensure no one is left behind.
