Cosatu has rejected “just transition” moves to a low-carbon economy, saying there are more pressing issues to be addressed.
The just-transition approach is intended to reduce use of fossil fuels without disadvantaging workers and communities.
According to the department of mineral resources & energy, SA’s total domestic electricity generation capacity is 58,095MW from all sources. Coal is by far the major energy source, comprising about 80% of the country’s energy mix.
The trade union federation fears that just transition will have a huge harmful effect on its affiliates’ members, their families and all coal-mining towns.
The trade union federation on Tuesday said SA’s failure to mobilise around a sound industrial policy and a basic income grant are among the outstanding issues that need to be addressed before a “just transition” can be committed to.
Cosatu’s stance is contained in its policy documents to be discussed at its national congress later in September.
Last week the cabinet approved its just transition framework which signalled that any implementation would have to include intensive consultation with social partners.
In a statement released soon after its meeting, the cabinet conceded the framework will affect everyone in SA, but argued that it will also provide an opportunity to address historical inequities and create new economic opportunities.
The cabinet affirmed that the shift to a net-zero carbon economy by 2050 should support national development aspirations, including decent work for all, social inclusion and the eradication of poverty.
CLASH
The framework defined the principles and policy measures for transitioning to greater climate-resiliency and outlines the actions social partners should take to minimise the negative social and economic impacts of such a transition on those either linked to carbon-intensive activities or who are most vulnerable to climate-change effects.
Cosatu is the third arm of the ANC-led tripartite alliance that is governing the country. Its voice and that of the SA Communist Party carries weight in government policy formulation. But its views are set to clash with those of the governing party which has put the issue of clean energy at the forefront of its programmes.
The government has already received R146.71bn ($8.5bn) from France, Germany, the UK, the US and the EU. This will
consist of grants, concessional and development funding over a five-year period.
The first project under the partnership, which was established at the previous climate conference, COP26 in Glasgow, Scotland, to help shift SA away from heavy reliance on coal towards sustainable energy, is expected to be running by November 2022.
The union argues that for a just transition to work, the country needs a basic income grant as social relief and an industrial plan that works.
“An unjust transition to low carbon systems holds a significant risk for workers, economies and the region. Job and livelihood losses due to businesses closing and power
stations being decommissioned are the biggest risk,” the document states.
Cosatu proposes that instead of a just transition a programme for eco-socialism be adopted. This would entail democratic ownership of mines, as a step before any discussion on decommissioning them.
“Eco-socialism is structured around meeting human needs so that everyone can live a healthy and productive life. It must take demands for decent work, clean air and water, quality and affordable education into account,” the document states.
It also points out that there can be no just transition without the redistribution of land.
“More than 80% of SA’s production takes place in 20% of its geographical space... This leads to excessive transport costs for workers and high greenhouse gas emissions because people live far from work opportunities and continue to migrate or commute over long distances daily.”
omarjeeh@businesslive.co.za
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