The case study ‘Powering the Future: Amplifying youth in South Africa’s low-carbon transition’ presents findings from, ‘A Green and Inclusive Future for Youth in the Global South‘, a collaborative research programme between the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and INCLUDE.

This case study argues that the core issue in South Africa’s energy transition revolves around intergenerational justice. It examines how we can address and implement the energy transition to improve employment prospects for young individuals who have been disproportionately affected by historical inequalities.

The authors asset that achieving a fair transition in South Africa necessitates a comprehensive approach that prioritizes the inclusion of youth, especially black youth and women, who face the greatest challenges of unemployment, instability, and financial insecurity in the nation. Drawing upon both published literature and firsthand examples, the study highlights three cases showcasing the evolving landscape of South Africa’s energy transition at the local level.