Africa Charts New Course for Climate Action with Just Transition Principles

By James Nyaigoti,

At a pivotal conference held in Nairobi, African leaders, civil society groups, and global partners came together to unveil a new blueprint for climate justice on the continent. 

The Just Transition Platform (JTP) launched a groundbreaking set of principles aimed at guiding Africa through a fair and inclusive shift to a greener economy, grounded in local realities and needs.
The event, titled “Advancing Just Transition in Africa: Climate Change and the World of Work,” focused on how African nations can confront the dual threats of climate change and digital transformation while seizing economic opportunities in emerging green industries.


Formed in 2022, the Just Transition Platform fosters regional collaboration and research to support Africa’s climate goals. The newly launched Principles for a Just and Equitable Transition emphasize solutions driven by African voices rather than imported models. The framework is the result of years of inclusive dialogue, beginning with the inaugural JTP workshop in Accra and culminating in this continental launch.

“The transition must reflect Africa’s contexts—not imposed agendas,” said Dr. Pamela Levria from the African Union, highlighting the need for homegrown strategies.

Six Core Action Areas

The JTP principles outline six main priorities:

Redefine the Narrative: Encourage climate action frameworks shaped by African priorities rather than foreign assumptions.

Promote Economic and Job Justice: Ensure climate policies support decent jobs and sustainable livelihoods, particularly in agriculture.
Tackle Structural Inequities: Address corruption, gender inequality, and unfair land and tax systems.

Assert Resource Sovereignty: Support African ownership of energy and natural resources, rejecting exploitative economic models.

Strengthen Capacity and Leadership: Invest in local education and leadership to ensure no group is left behind.

Redirect Investment: Prioritize development funding that reaches communities and dismantles systems reinforcing debt and inequality.

The framework also targets key sectors such as:

Energy: Promote clean, reliable, and locally owned energy systems.

Trade and Finance: Advocate for fair economic systems and reduce reliance on foreign debt.

Labour: Ensure workers' rights, green skills development, and strong social protections.

Agriculture and Land Use: Push for equitable land rights and climate-resilient farming.

Care Economy: Recognize and support unpaid care work, especially by women.
Despite accounting for less than 4% of global emissions, Africa bears a heavy burden from climate change. From job insecurity to health risks, the social impacts are severe. With countries now updating their climate action commitments under the Paris Agreement, the JTP framework comes at a crucial time.

“This is about more than emissions—it’s about justice, livelihoods, and dignity,” said Kingsley Ofei-Nkansah of the GD Resource Center.

As the principles roll out, the challenge now lies in implementation. The JTP calls on governments, civil society, and global institutions to adopt these locally grounded strategies and commit to long-term, inclusive development.

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