Just Transition and Climate Justice in Sub-Saharan Africa: Epistemologies, Policy and Practice

Just transition offers a way for fossil fuel-dependent economies to meet climate goals while ensuring that society as a whole – communities, workers, young people and marginalised groups – remains in the forefront of the conversation. This book explores the political economy of just transition in East, West and Southern Africa in order to shine a light on contested epistemologies, policy configurations and case studies of practice at various scales. In the African context, just transition is particularly significant due to the continent’s rich natural resources, including oil, gas and minerals, which have historically been exploited without adequate consideration for environmental sustainability and local communities’ socio-economic rights. This book analyses how a just transition, in practice, should aim to rectify these historical injustices by promoting inclusive decision-making processes that involve the affected groups, workers and communities. Bringing together leading scholars in the field, who apply a climate justice analytical lens and just transition concepts, the chapters question the extent to which pathways towards net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 are achievable in Africa and whether this can be attained without undermining economic growth, jobs, livelihoods and lives. Just Transition and Climate Justice in Sub-Saharan Africa will be an important read for policymakers and researchers in the fields of climate justice, environmental law, African and environmental studies.