Last week marked Human Rights Day in South Africa, while over the weekend the world observed World Water Day. These commemorative days serve as crucial reminders of the deep interconnection between climate change, human rights, and the just transition. Socioeconomic and environmental challenges linked to human rights and water access disproportionately affect vulnerable communities, making it imperative to address these issues through an inclusive and just transition.
Key Lessons from Human Rights Day
Climate justice is fundamentally a human rights issue. The right to a clean, healthy environment is increasingly recognised as essential, yet climate change continues to threaten basic human rights, including access to shelter, food, and water. In recent years, severe flooding in KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape has devastated livelihoods, displaced families, and caused loss of life, highlighting the vulnerability of marginalised communities.
A just transition must be people-centred. Moving away from fossil fuels must not leave workers and dependent communities behind. The closure of Komati Power Station in Mpumalanga, for instance, resulted in over 300 direct job losses, with many more affected indirectly. To prevent such socio-economic fallout, South Africa must implement frameworks like the Just Energy Transition Framework, which aims to reskill and integrate workers from high-carbon sectors into the green economy. Historically marginalised communities continue to bear the brunt of climate change, further entrenching inequalities. To accelerate the just transition, the government must close gaps in climate finance and infrastructure, expand access to clean energy and water, and strengthen adaptation measures for vulnerable groups.
Key Lessons from World Water Day
As climate change exacerbates droughts, floods, and water shortages, access to clean water becomes even more precarious. South Africa is already one of the most water-scarce countries in Southern Africa. Water shortages in towns such as Komani and Makhanda in the Eastern Cape, as well as in major economic hubs like Johannesburg, have had severe impacts on livelihoods and economic stability. Sustainable water management and infrastructure development are crucial to maintaining food security, energy production, and ecosystem health. Water justice is essential to ensuring equitable access to water resources. However, increasing privatisation is making water less accessible for vulnerable populations, effectively pricing out those who can least afford it. Government intervention is needed to safeguard water as a common good, ensuring that private interests do not compromise public access.
Water also plays a pivotal role in advancing the just transition. Green industries such as renewable energy and green hydrogen rely heavily on water resources. This can help contribute to employment which is vital to the country which is currently dealing with unemployment of 31.9%. However, without careful planning, these industries could further strain South Africa’s already limited water supply, exacerbating social inequalities. The National Water and Sanitation Master Plan aims to address this crisis by ensuring equitable distribution and improved infrastructure, but stronger policy implementation is required.
Human Rights and Water Access into South Africa’s Just Transition
Policymaking and legislation must centre on social and environmental justice to ensure that vulnerable communities have access to clean energy and water. The government must prioritise green job creation, water conservation, and community-led climate adaptation initiatives to uphold human rights. The Climate Change Act and Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) offer frameworks to guide South Africa’s transition to a low-carbon economy while safeguarding at-risk communities. Recognising climate change as a human rights crisis is essential to ensuring that solutions are inclusive, equitable, and sustainable. South Africa’s just transition must be designed not only to mitigate environmental impacts but also to promote social justice and resilience for those most affected by climate change.
Author: Kennedy Simango
Research Analyst
