What space for justice? The just energy transition partnership with South Africa

Energy transformations not only reveal multi-dimensional claims for just distribution, recognition, and procedures, but also how justice claims depend on and shape the spatial context that they address. Stakeholders involved in the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) with South Africa share the commitment to a just energy transition in the country, yet have differing conceptions of justice in mind. In this contribution, expectations and ideas of justice that various societal actors associate with the JETP are examined. The paper therefore asks what notions of spatial justice stakeholders bring up in the public debate about the JETP in South Africa. Conceptually, the focus is on four spatial justice aspects, namely on scalar, center-periphery, interterritorial, and infrastructure-related justice considerations. Based on qualitative expert interviews, a spectrum of spatial justice claims is revealed. The contribution finds that, firstly, the energy transition in South Africa has to address severe pre-existing injustices in South African society in a transformative manner, and therefore has to go beyond merely maintaining the status quo. Secondly, spatial justice debates have thus far been heavily focused on international relations, particularly on the negotiations within the International Partners Group and on the conditions of the JETP. Thirdly, subnational debates on spatial justice are only beginning to gain momentum, revolving around changes in center-periphery relationships, energy infrastructures, procedural justice, and ownership. The spatial perspective proves to be a helpful lens to illuminate the different, at times contradictory perspectives on justice in transitions.