The Case for a Bottom-Up Just Transition
From coal towns to community gardens, Africa’s climate future is being shaped not in boardrooms, but in backyards, cooperatives, and local councils. The continent stands at a crossroads as grapples with the dual pressures of climate vulnerability and economic transformation, the concept of a just transition, shifting to a low-carbon economy in a way that is fair and inclusive has gained traction. But too often, this transition is framed in top-down terms: national investment plans, international climate finance, and infrastructure megaprojects.
What’s missing? The grassroots.
Local communities are not passive recipients of climate policy. They are innovators, knowledge holders, and frontline responders. Starting the just transition at the grassroots means recognizing that real resilience is built from the ground up through local ownership, cultural relevance, and inclusive participation.
Some standout examples of how grassroots initiatives are driving climate justice and green enterprise include the following:
- Life After Coal (South Africa)
A coalition of environmental justice groups including Earthlife Africa mobilizing communities in Mpumalanga to resist coal expansion and advocate for a people-centered energy transition. Through litigation, education, and organizing, they’ve halted new coal projects and pushed for renewable alternatives.
- Lamo Fuel (South Africa)
Founded by Kealeboga Tshikhovi, this rural enterprise transforms waste cooking oil into biofuel. It empowers women and youth through job creation and green skills, proving that circular economy models can thrive in underserved areas.
- Women and Land in Zimbabwe (WLiZ)
Led by Thandiwe Chidavarume, WLiZ promotes women’s land rights as a foundation for climate resilience. Their work includes agroecology, seed-saving, and off-grid renewable energy, rooted in Indigenous knowledge and feminist leadership.
- Mpumalanga Green Cluster Agency (South Africa)
A regional initiative supported by the African Development Bank, focusing on green jobs, youth training, and community-led energy cooperatives in coal-reliant towns.
- Community Agroecology (Zimbabwe)
Local farmers Mbire and Murehwa Districts of Zimbabwe are integrating Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) with permaculture and seed-saving to restore degraded land and build food sovereignty. These efforts are supported by frameworks like the African Development Bank’s Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF).
Policies That Enable Grassroots Climate Action
Several national and regional policies have begun to recognize the importance of community-led transitions:
- South Africa’s Climate Change Act (2024): Establishes legal frameworks for carbon budgeting and climate governance, though grassroots inclusion remains limited.
- Zimbabwe’s National Renewable Energy Policy (2019): Promotes rural electrification and gender equity, with potential for community energy hubs.
- African Union’s Climate Change and Resilient Development Strategy (2022–2032): Encourages integration of Indigenous knowledge and community-based adaptation.
- SADC’s REEESAP (2016–2030): Aims to harmonize renewable energy efforts across the region, though implementation at local levels is still weak.
Funding Mechanisms That Work for Communities
Despite billions pledged for climate finance, only a fraction reaches the local level. Here are some mechanisms making a difference:
Climate Justice Impact Fund for Africa (CJIFA)
Offers grants of $5,000–$8,000 to grassroots organizations in 25 African countries. Prioritizes youth and women-led initiatives, with a focus on innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability.
Green Climate Fund (GCF) & Adaptation Fund
While often inaccessible due to bureaucracy, these funds are beginning to explore direct access models for local actors.
BeGreen Africa (UNICEF, IKEA Foundation, Tony Elumelu Foundation)
Supports youth-led green enterprises with training, seed capital, and mentorship across Africa.
African Development Bank (AfDB)
Through its Just Transition Framework, AfDB is investing in community resilience, though delivery mechanisms need simplification.
To truly center justice, Africa’s transition must:
- Embed grassroots voices in governance through local transition councils and participatory audits.
- Create local climate finance platforms that bypass intermediaries and empower community organizations.
- Support feminist and youth-led climate action with dedicated funding and leadership development.
- Recognize Indigenous knowledge as a valid and vital source of climate intelligence.
Africa’s just transition will not be won in policy papers or investment plans alone. It will be built in the fields, workshops, and community halls where people are already reimagining their futures. Start at the grassroots, and the rest will follow.
Author: Allen Kemigisa
Communications & Research Intern
