Just Transition. Programme description South Africa has made a national commitment in terms of the Paris Agreement of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in respect of its response to Climate Change. Developing and implementing national policies and strategies, which will result in a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and the establishment of an environment and economy that are resilient to the effects of climate change, and which provide the best possible future for South Africa's residents, will require significant co-ordination and partnerships among stakeholders. We are already seeing the effects of climate change on the coal industry and agriculture, as well as more intense weather events such as droughts and floods. Unless we develop a strategic and coordinated response, the costs of adaptation to this disruption will be high. Current jobs will be lost and future jobs will be imperilled. The burdens will be borne above all by poor and working people, who have fewer resources to cushion themselves from the effects of climate change. Social partners agree that in order for South Africa to play its part in the global just transition, it must reduce GHG emissions and ensure that we develop and cultivate a domestic economy and environment as resilient as possible in the long term to potential adverse effects of climate change, which is already upon us. The Social Partners are clear that we need to ensure this is a just transition, which ensures that working people, the jobless and poor do not end up bearing a disproportionate burden. The Jobs Summit resolves that the Just Transition is a priority, and that it requires a well-coordinated response across the State and between the Social Partners. Interventions • Social Partners agree that a statutory body should be established under the Presidency in the form of a Presidential Climate Change Coordinating Commission (PCCCC) to coordinate and oversee the Just Transition, including how to maximise the opportunities for jobs, including the quantity and quality of jobs. This body could be accommodated in the recently released Climate Change Bill. • This body should be established after the Jobs Summit and should be adequately resourced and should include representation from relevant departments across the State, the Social Partners, as well as experts from civil society and relevant research institutions. • One of the first tasks of the PCCCC should be to understand the impact of climate change on jobs, ...
