Climate justice or climate apartheid? The justice trade-offs of private solar investments for South Africa's just transition

Abstract

Climate Apartheid? Assessing Uneven Impacts of Private Renewable Energy in South Africa Context Climate change impacts are uneven, & poor most affected. Mitigation & adaptation also frequently deliver unjust outcomes. ‘Climate apartheid’: protects privileged from climate change but deepens inequality. Methods & Findings South Africa’s private renewable energy uptake has been rapid. Using interviews & surveys, we analyse wealthier household solar PV investments. State subsidises renewable energy, benefitting the wealthy. Grid secessions cost municipal revenue, undermining state-subsidised energy for the poor. Complex dynamic with justice trade-offs South Africa’s private & state-subsidised renewable energy arguably exemplifies climate apartheid. But it also contributes to global environmental justice. ‘Climate apartheid’ label vilifies wealthy & overlooks their role in advancing more just transition.