The CoE, the South African Cities Network and C40 Cities held their first Just Transition dialogue on the transport sector on August 15 at the Civic Centre in Kempton Park.
The purpose was to ensure all voices were heard and considered when planning for Just Transition at the city’s level.
The dialogue aimed to ensure that planning processes were more inclusive and considered the sectors most impacted by the transition.
“We had a successful day and discussed the city’s approach to Just Transition. We also discussed what the city will do to have a more sustainable transport sector that releases fewer carbon emissions,” said the CoE division head for technical planning and implementation in the transport and fleet management department, Anele Siwa.
ALSO READ: City of Ekurhuleni updates electricity meters
He said the concerns raised included joblessness and the deployment of electric vehicles in the city.
He believed there were valuable lessons to be learnt from the discussion.
Siwa told the Kempton Express that Just Transition was a change in how things are done.
“We were looking for ways that are going to reduce carbon emissions by looking at sustainable ways of introducing other transport options,” said Siwa.
With the Just Transition dialogue, he said officials hoped for collaborative engagement with all stakeholders.
A researcher at the Just Transition project with SA Cities Network, Dr Tinashe Mushayanyama, said Just Transition was vital because it was part of global participation.
The dialogue formed part of defining the municipality’s position on a global stage.
ALSO READ: R57.6b tabled for City of Ekurhuleni budget
“If you look at what is happening in the transportation sphere in other parts of the world, other countries are going this route.
“The debate is going on, and we must have these conversations early so they don’t come as a shock,” said Mushayanyama.
He said Just Transition had many positives spins, including the best way to deal with the environment and reducing emissions.
Mushayanyama said some of the benefits of reducing greenhouse emissions were that it was good for the health of residents, food security and the environment.
“Most importantly, the Just Transition also comes with innovations and new industries that come on board to solve climate change.
“As they come on board, we, in turn, will have more people employed.
“This is an opportunity, a space to be provided to the young to be innovative because when we talk about Just Transition, it is not doing business as usual. It is about applying our minds and doing new things,” Mushayanyama told the Kempton Express.
He said the transition would not be easy.
“We must be prepared to change people, especially those in the informal sector.
“We need to support them and ensure they become part of the transition because, as we move on, there will be structural changes.
“This structural change means industries will become redundant, and some services that were in demand in the informal sector businesses will be eliminated.”
ALSO READ: City of Ekurhuleni replies to Ward 91 issues
The CoE’s climate change specialist, Nokuthula Dubazane, said there would be more dialogues in the future, including on buildings, energy, agriculture, diversity and waste management.
For more information on Just Transition or future dialogues, contact Nokuthula at nokuthula.dubazane@ekurhuleni.gov.za
