Background

Development institutions tend to work according to an established framework, which helps practitioners and funders structure and plan their actions. This traditional model is based on empirical observations and on the ground experience of how project development and support policy work in practice. Key steps include:

• defining the problem and agenda setting;
• defining the vision and objectives of the strategy;
• identifying and selecting options, and implementing actions;
• monitoring, reporting, evaluation and policy adaptation.

The above cycle describes an idealised process, which differs from "real-life" processes. Steps are sometimes taken in parallel, and within one cycle not all steps may be covered completely. Recent examination of just transition projects and project development cycles suggest that the characteristics of such projects and their development may require an expanded or amended toolbox of actions, funding and sequencing.

For example, just transition projects require expanded participatory processes. Activities to support meaningful participation may thus need to be undertaken and funded to ensure participating workers or communities are able to engage both at a substantive as well as a process level. Another example is that environmental and green solutions sought by just transition project developers may require the inclusion of an expanded view of beneficiaries, given that environmental systems (such as water sheds) do not adhere to political or community boundaries. A final example is that just transition project developers will most likely require a range of funders to become involved in the project development cycle earlier than in traditional project finance. This idea of financial sector players making deals as opposed to buying deals will require additions to the existing project development and policy support toolbox.

The webinar investigates how different countries deal with these emerging issues. In particular, the following questions will be addressed: Does participatory planning call for different policy instruments and mechanisms as well as a different policy cycle? Do just transition projects require different financial support mechanisms and instruments at different times to traditional projects? How is the scope of just transition projects (especially those seeking to address environmental degradation) different from traditional projects and what instruments, mechanisms and policy support measures can be developed.

Outline of the event     

Date: 24 March

Organisations: Trade & Industrial Policy Strategies (TIPS) and Wuppertal Institute für Climate, Environment and Energy (WI)

Enquiries: rozale@tips.org.za

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Overview

This webinar, organised in partnership with Trade and Industrial Policy Strategies (TIPS), will provide participants with a first look at findings from the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) report South Africa's Energy Fiscal Policies: An inventory of subsidies, taxes and policies impacting the energy transition, presenting key takeaways and recommendations.
 
The report explores the extent to which South Africa's current energy fiscal policies are aligned with its goal to develop a robust domestic energy system that can provide low-carbon energy at a fair cost to all. It provides clear recommendations for the government to align its fiscal energy policies with its climate and energy objectives.
 
Through a panel discussion and a Q&A session, participants will be encouraged to engage in a debate on carbon tax, bailouts, and what international moves to phase out fossil fuel financing and oil and gas exploration mean for South Africa.
 
Key questions

• Exemptions to the carbon tax need to be removed - carbon tax needs to internalise the social and environmental cost of the energy system, but with practical considerations on the social impacts and the impact on Eskom's finances.
• Bailouts - although we cannot allow the energy system to fail, how do we make the sector sustainable and ensure that bailout funds are enabling a transition rather than inhibiting it?
• What do international moves around phasing out fossil fuel subsidies and oil and gas exploration mean for SA's energy sector?
• Is the tax system doing enough to take account of external costs in energy pricing?

AGENDA 

Registration

Register online: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_5yhGna3LQYicnioMFvzAHg

Presentations

Ulrich Harmes-Liedtke -  Partner at Mesopartner

Presentation: Global trends in Quality Infrastructure

Eduardo Trajano Gadret - Researcher-Technologist in Metrology and Qualith at INMENTO

Presentation: Quality Infrastructure in Brazil

Martin Chesire - Chief Executive Officer at Kenya Accreditation Service (KENAS)

Presentation: Quality Infrastructure in Kenya

Programme

14:00: Facilitator opens the seminar: Saul Levin

14:05: Opening remarks Tshenge Demana: Quality Infrastructure in support of industrial development

14:10-14:20 Global trends in Quality Infrastructure: Ulrich Harmes-Liedtke

14:20-14:45 Presentations on international experience in Quality Infrastructure institutional role:

• Eduardo Trajano Gadret: QI in Brazil
• Martin Chesire: QI in Kenya

14:45-15:15 Discussion and engagement on how experiences of QI development could enrich South Africa in the context of Post-COVID-19 economic recovery

15:15 Closure

Background

South Africa’s industrial policy aims to bring about a change in the structure of the economy to put the economy on a more inclusive, industrialised and sustainable path. Quality Infrastructure (QI) institutions (SABS, NMISA, NRCS, and SANAS) are part and parcel of industrial policy measures, with international experience seeing a correlation between levels of economic development and robustness or effectiveness of a country’s QI. With the QI system evolving globally and an improved understanding of its critical role in industrial policy, consideration needs to be given to its role in post-COVID-19 economic recovery plans. 
 

Zoom meeting details

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