Urban Agriculture Project: Agroecology in the Gauteng Province

The South African government is currently engaging various stakeholders on the Just Transition Framework as the country is preparing for a transition to a low carbon economy. The focus is mainly on energy transition which is a major sector contributing to emissions through burning of fossil fuels and heavy reliance on non-renewable energy. The government established the Presidential Climate Commission tasked with managing the Just Transition in the country. While the discussion of just transition originated in the energy and extractive sectors, energy use lies at the basis of our food systems, public services, transportation, production and distribution system, transforming the way we use and think about energy requires deep transformations in every sector.

As the world is trying to deal with the impacts of climate change caused by greenhouse gas emissions resulting mainly from carbon intensive industries, it is a responsibility of every one of us to understand the meaning of this process and the human needs involved, the negative and positive outcomes and work together for an inclusive, intersectional, equitable, gender-sensitive and sustainable outcome for all.

GenderCC Southern Africa – Women for Climate Justice, together with Community Based Women’s Organizations, namely Bongkono Community
Project based in Driezik 1, Orange Farm and Siphumelele Luncheon Club based in Kwanele, Katlehong, embarked on local interventions in the
peri-urban areas where these projects are located. This emanated from the fact that the Presidential Climate Commission’s focus is on so called “HotSpot” areas, where there is increased exposure to pollution from surrounding industry for the communities.

The objective of this collaborative project is to raise awareness to these communities (especially youth and women) through education and
information sharing by conducting capacity building workshops, focused group discussions, research, and peer-to-peer learning through exchange
visits to come up with community-led just transition perspective to contribute to the national process.

The impacts of climate change are felt immediately at the local level – affecting communities, settlements, farmers, and infrastructure.
Just transition which refers to the transformation of economies and societies towards environmental sustainability, decarbonization, climate change adaptation, eradication of poverty, decent work, social inclusion, justice, and equity – therefore requires a comprehensive approach rather than siloed interventions where there are likely to be winners and losers.