AFRICA CHARTS NEW PATH FOR CLIMATE JUSTICE WITH LAUNCH OF JUST TRANSITION PRINCIPLES IN NAIROBI.

BY NJOKI KARANJA 

In a bold step toward reshaping Africa's climate future, the Just Transition Platform (JTP) on Wednesday launched the Principles for a Just and Equitable Transition, a landmark framework designed to guide the continent through a people-centered response to climate change. The high-level launch event, held at Sarova Panafric Hotel in Nairobi, brought together government officials, labour unions, climate advocates, and civil society to set a new agenda for climate justice that prioritizes African realities and development aspirations.

Established in 2022, the Just Transition Platform is a pan-African initiative co-convened by ClimateWorks Foundation and the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) Africa. It serves as a knowledge hub and collaborative forum dedicated to ensuring Africa’s transition to a low-carbon economy is fair, inclusive, and responsive to the continent’s unique challenges.

A Three-Year Journey Culminates in a Historic Milestone

The Principles, launched after an extensive three-year consultation and drafting process that spanned Ghana, Mauritius, and pan-African webinars, define sector-specific pathways for a just transition in energy, trade, labour, land use, and gender justice. The Nairobi event marks the first time these principles have been unveiled in their full form to the African public and policy community.

"This is Africa speaking on its own terms," said JTP coordinator Angela Atieno. "The world must listen—not just to our challenges, but to our visions, solutions, and sovereign rights."

Energy, Jobs, and Justice at the Core

At the heart of the Principles is a commitment to transforming Africa’s energy systems without repeating historical injustices. The Just Energy Transition (JET) model recognizes three approaches—Gradual, Leapfrogging, and Hybrid—anchored by energy justice, national sovereignty over resources, and inclusive innovation. This includes universal access to clean energy, support for community-driven renewables, and protection for vulnerable populations.

Equally critical is the World of Work dimension, which calls for embedding labour rights, social protection, and green job creation into all climate policies. With climate-induced heat stress affecting over 2 billion workers globally and youth unemployment soaring across Africa, the JTP framework insists that no worker or community be left behind.

"Decent work must be the foundation of Africa’s green transition," said Kwame Badu of ITUC Africa. "We cannot accept climate action that sacrifices livelihoods or deepens inequality."

Reclaiming Africa’s Economic and Political Sovereignty

The Principles also take aim at global economic structures that have historically marginalized Africa. In trade, finance, and investment, the framework demands fairness, transparency, and the reformation of international financial systems that perpetuate debt dependency and extractive practices.

On land use and agriculture—sectors that sustain the majority of Africans—the framework advocates for secure land rights, climate-resilient farming, and support for smallholder farmers, especially women. Gender justice is positioned as a cross-cutting pillar, with a focus on elevating unpaid care work and ensuring women and marginalized groups are integral to climate solutions.

Turning Talk Into Action

Wednesday’s event, themed Advancing Just Transition in Africa: Climate Change and the World of Work, emphasized urgency as countries update their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement.

"Climate goals must not be copy-pasted from the Global North," said Dr. Esther Limo, a climate and gender specialist. "Africa’s transition must be rooted in justice, dignity, and local leadership."

Speakers underscored the need for African governments, businesses, and communities to integrate the new principles into national development strategies, labour laws, and energy investments. They also called for global solidarity—particularly through grants rather than loans—to support Africa’s climate-resilient transformation.

A New Narrative for Africa’s Future

The launch sent a clear message: Africa’s climate transition must be African-led, equity-driven, and inclusive of all voices—from informal workers to indigenous communities. The Principles not only chart a new path but challenge the international community to move beyond rhetoric and support truly just transitions.

The Just Transition Platform now aims to work with national governments, regional bodies, and grassroots organizations to localize and implement the framework across the continent.

“This is not just a set of principles. It is a rallying cry for justice, dignity, and transformation,” said Atieno. “Africa’s time is now."