Capacity Building Programme Strengthens South Africa’s Path to a Climate-Friendly Future

This article provides an overview of the work that Trade Industrial Policy Strategies delivered under the JUST SA project to capacitate sub-national government officials in South Africa on Just Transition, Climate Change and Green Economy policy development. This initiative provided a comprehensive capacity-building programme - which was supported by the International Climate Initiative (IKI) - and has delivered a significant boost to South Africa’s transition toward a green, climate-resilient economy.

This was part of a nationwide training series brought together stakeholders from government and institutions—demonstrating why the transition to a climate-friendly economy can only succeed through collaboration. Workshops included networking activities and knowledge-sharing.

More than 280 representatives from government, administration and organisations participated in the nationwide training series, which spanned all nine provinces. The programme aimed to strengthen knowledge, build capacity, and promote exchange across different levels of government.

Participants included officials from provincial, district and local government, as well as national departments. Organisations such as the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) were also represented. 

Key findings: 

A key takeaway from the series is the strong need for enhanced collaboration. Many municipalities still operate in isolation—both from one another and from other stakeholders. The training directly addressed this challenge by creating space for dialogue, peer learning and the exchange of perspectives.

This interaction proved essential for understanding the complexities of the “just transition” approach—a socially inclusive shift to a low-carbon economy—and for developing joint solutions.

Download the article here.

Contact Elize Hatting for more information to access the online learning platform: elize@tips.org.za. You can also visit the TIPS website: https://www.tips.org.za/projects/the-just-transition-to-a-decarbonised-economy-for-south-africa-just-sa.

Access the JUST SA e-learning engagement platform: CLICK HERE 
This is a free course.