COSATU Just Transition Global South Exchange – 16 September 2024

Comrades, distinguished delegates, friends in the labour movement, and
representatives of governments and civil society, I greet you today with a sense of
purpose and commitment to the work ahead.
We are gathered here not only as the trade union movement, but as champions of
justice, as representatives of the Global South, where the fight for a Just Transition is
not a matter of choice, but of survival.
In my capacity as President of COSATU and Co-Chair of the International Energy
Agency Advisory Committee, I bring to you the collective voice of millions of workers
whose lives are impacted by climate change, inequality and economic injustice.
Our journey toward a Just Transition is intertwined with the struggles of workers
globally, but particularly for the Global South, where poverty, inequality, and climate
vulnerability are the sharpest. We must ensure that our response to climate change
does not deepen existing inequities but addresses them head-on.

The Urgency of Climate Action and Justice

Climate change is a reality that we can no longer ignore. Rising temperatures,
unpredictable weather patterns, floods, droughts, and heatwaves are
disproportionately impacting workers in developing nations. In South Africa, in Africa,
and across the Global South, the poorest and most vulnerable are bearing the brunt
of the crisis. And yet, they contribute the least to the problem.
This crisis is not simply an environmental one. It is an issue of social justice. We know
that climate change is a crisis that has been driven largely by the same extractive,
capitalist economic systems that have marginalised workers for centuries.
It is for this reason that COSATU demands not only climate action but climate justice.
A Just Transition that ensures workers are not left behind as economies shift from high
to low-carbon industries. This transition must protect jobs, secure value chains, uplift
communities and bring about equitable and inclusive economic transformation.

Solidarity Among the Global South

Comrades, the Global South must stand united in our fight for a fair and just climate
response. We cannot allow the powerful nations who have historically benefited from
the very industries that have caused this crisis, to dictate the terms of our transition.
As the Paris Agreement proclaims, the Global North must assist the Global South to
transition to a low carbon and climate resilient economy in a just and equitable manner.
Our voices must be central in shaping the global climate response.
The COSATU Just Transition Global South Exchange is a vital platform to build
solidarity among unions, governments, and civil society in the Global South. We need
to exchange strategies and experiences to ensure we drive the change we need in our
own countries and influencing international negotiations like COP29 in Azerbaijan.
Our demands are clear:

• Decent work for all workers
  As we move towards green economies, we must ensure new jobs are good jobs,
  that offer dignity, fair wages, and security for workers and their families.
• Social protection and support for affected workers and communities
  Workers in at risk industries must be supported, including through reskilling
  opportunities, economic support, and access to new jobs.
• Energy democracy and ownership
  We must ensure that the shift to renewable energy does not simply transfer power
  from one set of elites to another. Energy systems must be democratized, owned
  by the people, and run in the public interest, not for private profit.
• Climate finance and reparations
  The countries and corporations that have caused this crisis must pay their fair
  share. They must finance the transition in the Global South and compensate for
  the loss and damage caused by climate change.

South Africa’s Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP)

Our own experience in South Africa, with the Just Energy Transition Partnership
(JETP) introduced by President Cyril Ramaphosa at COP26, offers important lessons.
The partnership seeks to secure climate finance from international partners to smooth
the transition from a high to a low carbon economy. While this has been celebrated
internationally, we must ensure its terms align with our vision of a Just Transition and
the JETPs do not further indebt us through loans and stringent conditionalities.
The JETP must:
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• Centre workers’ rights and economic transformation in its implementation.
• Guarantee transparency in how funds are used and who benefits.
• Invest in local communities and not just multinational companies.
• Focus on energy access, especially for the eight million South Africans who still
  lack access to electricity. This is an opportunity to address energy poverty while
  transitioning to a sustainable energy future.
  We must not allow this partnership to be co-opted by capital or result in a superficial
  greening of our economy without real structural change.

Comparative Experiences in the Global South

Across the Global South, we have seen innovative and progressive examples of Just
Transition strategies that prioritize the well-being of workers and communities. In Latin
America, CUT Brazil has been at the forefront of advocating for green industrial
policies that reduce emissions and create jobs in renewable energy sectors.
The Nigerian Labour Congress has pushed for a fair energy transition that ensures
access to affordable energy for all while protecting workers in the oil and gas sectors.
These show that while our contexts differ, our struggles are interconnected. We must
continue to learn from one another and adapt these strategies to our own realities.

A Way Forward: COSATU’s Blueprint for a Just Transition

COSATU developed a comprehensive Just Transition Blueprint for workers and we
continue to push for its adoption by government and industry. Our blueprint calls for:

• A robust social dialogue that involves all stakeholders, including workers, unions,
  government, and civil society, in shaping the transition.
• Clear targets for job creation in the green economy, including investments in
  renewables, energy efficiency, and sustainable agriculture.
• A focus on public ownership of energy and natural resources to ensure that profits
  from the transition benefit the people, not just corporations.
• Investment in education and skills development, upskilling and reskilling to prepare
  workers for new jobs in green industries.

Conclusion

Comrades, the challenges before us are immense, but so too is our resolve. The
struggle for a Just Transition is not just about protecting the environment—it is about
building a new economy that serves people, upholds the dignity of work, and
addresses the inequalities and injustices of society.
We stand committed to ensuring this transition is just and equitable, not only for
workers in South Africa but across the Global South. Together, we will continue to fight
to ensure no worker is left behind and where the voices of the marginalised are heard.
Let us build solidarity across borders, industries and movements. The future is in our
hands. We dare not stop until justice, equality and sustainability prevail.
Thank you. Amandla!!!