The impact of climate change and the decisions taken to reduce emissions will have an impact on workers and communities in multiple value-chains. TIPS, with funding from the UK-PACT Programme has undertaken research on five key value chains that will be impacted: Coal, petroleum-based transport, tourism, metals, and agriculture.

This research was presented at a Learning Event on 15 October 2025

Introduction and Welcome: Dr Saul Levin (TIPS)

SESSION ONE

• Danae Govender (TIPS) - Insights from Value Chains: Metals
• Nokwanda Maseko (TIPS) - Insights from Value Chains: Petroleum-Based Transport
• Michael Hector (TIPS) - Insights from Value Chains: Agriculture
• Tanya van Meelis (COSATU) - Discussant

SESSION TWO

• Muhammed Patel (TIPS) - Insights from Value Chains: Coal
• Kate Rivett-Carnac (Independent Consultant) - Insights from Value Chains: Tourism
• Dr Neva Makgetla (TIPS) - Discussant

What is JUST SA?

JUST SA is a five-year project supporting the implementation of pathways towards an environmentally sustainable, climate-change resilient, low-carbon economy and just society.

At the national level, JUST SA supports the implementation of the Just Transition Framework and facilitates dialogue and information sharing on the Just Transition in South Africa. At the provincial and local levels, JUST SA supports a variety of stakeholders in Mpumalanga to design and implement alternative diversification and development pathways.

In addition, JUST SA supports the rehabilitation of coal mining land and water through research, policy implementation and community engagement.

JUST SA is implemented by GIZ as part of a consortium with TIPS, NBI and WWF SA on behalf of the German Government as part of the International Climate Initiative (IKI), and in close collaboration with Indalo Inclusive, the Mpumalanga Green Cluster Agency (MGCA), the Just Energy Transition Project Management Unit (JET PMU), the Presidential Climate Commission (PCC) and others.

What is TIPS doing on JUST SA?

TIPS is involved in the design and implementation of a number of activities on JUST SA. These include:

Research

TIPS is involved in a three-pronged research programme on JUST SA: (1) building a short- and medium-term Just Transition policy package for South Africa’s coal workforce; (2) unpacking practical pathways for the economic diversification of the Mpumalanga coalfields; and (3) supporting the development of robust, commercially viable Just Transition project pipelines, updating the TIPS Just Transition Tagging Framework using real world data from the Just Transition Finance Tool, and developing an instrument or mechanism to solve a well-defined challenge or barrier in Just Transition finance.

We are also working with the PCC to develop a localised economic diversification strategy for the area around the Komati power station and investigating the potential role that South African financial institutions can play in supporting less well-resourced enterprises to develop credible, investible, and fundable Just Transition project proposals.

Training and capacity building

TIPS is delivering training in all nine provinces in South Africa to sub-national (provincial and municipal) government officials on the green economy and the Just Transition. JUST SA is also supporting the 2025 and 2026 editions of TIPS’s annual Industrial Policy for Policy Makers (IPPM) course on Green Industrialisation and the Just Transition.

Just Transition Community of Practice

TIPS is establishing a Community of Practice (CoP) on the Just Transition. This includes the establishment of an online learning platform for courses on the green economy and the just transition, just transition finance, and the role of gender inclusion in a Just Transition for SA. The JUST SA CoP will also include a series of events on specific topics related to a Just Transition in SA as well as an international study tour for selected alumni from our provincial training course. The purpose of the international study tour is to provide government officials with exposure to visit best practice international projects that can provide local solution.

1. CoP for sub-national government officials

   Beyond knowledge transfer, the JUST SA CoP serves as a catalyst for transformative practice at the local level by generating new insights and co-developing solutions that will enable South African municipalities and provinces to navigate the complex socio-economic and environmental dimensions of the Just Transition. Ultimately, the JUST SA CoP seeks to empower government officials to lead with confidence, strengthen institutional capacity, and deliver sustainable, inclusive outcomes for communities across South Africa. How can you get involved? Register your interest to become a practitioner.
   REGISTER HERE.

2. Provincial Just Transition Insights via Podcasts

   Learn more about the challenges and opportunities that other government officials are facing in different provinces by listening to our podcast series.
   LISTEN TO THE PODCAST HERE.
   
   

   Eastern Cape
   

   Western Cape
   

   Freestate
   

3. Capacity Building Online Course

   Access the JUST SA e-learning engagement platform:
   CLICK HERE 
   This is a free course.

Digital Knowledge Platform

TIPS is establishing a Digital Knowledge Platform, linked to the JUST SA website, that will serve as a repository of information (published articles, reports, podcasts, etc.) on the Just Transition in South Africa.

Access the Digital Knowledge Platform here:
https://www.tips.org.za/just-transition

Contact Details

Media Contact: Thobani Khumalo (Thobani@tips.org.za)
JUST SA Project Coordinator: Natasha du Plessis (Natasha@tips.org.za)

Trade & Industrial Policy Strategies (TIPS) is seeking a Finance Intern. The internship is for 12
months. You can see more about our work at www.tips.org.za.

The TIPS Training and Events Manager is responsible for implementing and managing training programmes and events that align with TIPS’s strategic objectives. This role combines training planning and management, communicating outcomes, team management, and overseeing event coordination with the aim of strengthening and expanding competencies around inclusive economic policies, especially across the spheres of the state and for key economic stakeholders; promoting stakeholder engagement; and expanding communication of key findings and proposals arising from TIPS’s research.
Further information on TIPS and its current training and events programme can be accessed at www.tips.org.za.

TIPS industry studies aim to provide a comprehensive overview of key trends in leading industries in South Africa. They aim to provide background for policymakers and researchers, and to strengthen our understanding of current challenges and opportunities in each industry as a basis for a more strategic response.

This study assesses technological advancements in the electrical equipment industry and their presence and applications in South Africa.

DISCLAIMER

Trade and Industrial Policy Strategies is a company duly registered in South Africa in terms of section 21 of the Companies Act, under registration number 2001/012247/08 (“TIPS”). Where applicable any reference to TIPS includes its representatives, directors, employees and contractors.

This TIPS website (“Website”) issues certificates based on a tool developed by TIPS (“Certification/Certificate”) and the Website contains information, materials and tools (including Certification) for free use by the public on a not-for-profit basis (“Users/User”).

This Website and Certification is not mandated by any governmental or financial institution/body/entity locally or abroad.

There should be no expectation by Users of this Website (and there is no representation made by TIPS) that Certification will afford, entitle or exclude any of them from any service, support, funding, finance, exposure, acknowledgement, preference, selection, qualification, consideration, bid or contract.

There should be no expectation by any third party relying upon receipt of an issued Certificate (and there is no representation made by TIPS) that the information submitted by the User to obtain the Certificate has in anyway been verified by TIPS or that it is accurate, truthful and complete.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR USE OF THIS WEBSITE

1. Users Own Risk

The User agrees that the use of the Website (including but not limited to Certification) is solely at his/her/its own risk and he/she/it waives any and all claims against TIPS. The User understands and agrees that:

(a) TIPS does not warrant and/or guarantee the accuracy, timelines, veracity, performance, completeness or suitability of Certification or of any of the information, materials or tools offered on this Website.

(b) TIPS does not warrant and/or guarantee that this Website will be uninterrupted or free for any defects, viruses or other harmful content.

(c) The User understands and acknowledges that the information, materials, tools on this Website (including but not limited to Certification) may contain inaccuracies, omissions or errors and that TIPS is expressly excluded from any liability or claims for any such inaccuracies, omissions or errors.

(d) The User understands, acknowledges and confirms that TIPS is not responsible or liable for any losses or damages, including but not limited to, indirect, direct, incidental, special, consequential or punitive losses or damages arising from any use of or reliance on any of the information, materials or tools on this Website (including but not limited to Certification).

(e) This disclaimer and exclusion of any liability and claims applies to any damages or injury, including but not limited to, indirect, direct, incidental, special, consequential or punitive damages or losses whatsoever arising from any use of or reliance on any of the information, materials or tools on this Website (including but not limited to Certification), whether in contract, delict, tort or any other cause of action.

2. Third Parties Own Risk

The User agrees and undertakes in favour of TIPS to expressly inform any third party relying on a Certificate generated by this Website that:

(a) TIPS does not warrant and/or guarantee the accuracy, timelines, veracity, performance, completeness or suitability of any Certificate or any information or materials provided to any Third Party by any User.

(b) Any third party using or relying upon a Certificate is deemed to have agreed and acknowledged that it does so at his/her/its own risk and TIPS is not responsible or liable for any losses or damages, including but not limited to, indirect, direct, incidental, special, consequential or punitive losses or damages, whether in contract, delict, tort or any other cause of action, arising from that third party’s reliance on a Certificate.

(c) Any third party using or relying upon a Certificate is deemed to have agreed and acknowledged that the Certificate may contain inaccuracies, omissions or errors and that TIPS is expressly excluded from any liability or claims for any such inaccuracies, omissions or errors.

(d) Any third party using or relying upon a Certificate waives any and all claims against TIPS.

3. Privacy

Terms defined in applicable privacy legislation shall have the same meaning in the following sub-paragraphs:

(a) The User understands, acknowledges and consents to his/her personal information being captured on the Website as part of the Certification service. TIPS is committed to protecting a User’s privacy and to ensure that any personal information is captured and processed (where applicable) lawfully on its Website.

(b) A User may at any time request TIPS to delete or remove any personal information by emailing: noreply-jtproject@tips.org.za

(c) The User understands, acknowledges and consents to any business information (including but not limited to type of enterprise, province, type of project, scope of project, sector, budget, funding, community engagement, objectives, activities and empowerment) captured on the Website being made available for research and analysis at TIPS and/or by TIPS approved researchers. Only de-identified data is used for research and analysis at TIPS and/or by TIPS approved researchers (identified data is information that can be linked to either an owner or a specific business). Business information captured by Users on the Website will remain anonymous.

(d) TIPS has taken appropriate and reasonable technical and organisational measures to prevent loss of, damage to or unauthorized access to, processing of or destruction of a User’s personal information captured on the Website.

(e) Parts of the Website relies on cookies. Cookies are only used to track and facilitate the User’s use of the Website. Cookies are not used by TIPS for advertising or unsolicited communication. The User consent to the use of cookies on the Website.

4. Intellectual property, copyright and restriction on use

(a) The Website contains information, research and other content which is derived entirely or in part from information, research and other content supplied by, owned and/or licensed to TIPS (“TIPS intellectual property”). TIPS intellectual property is protected under applicable South African intellectual property and copyright laws and international treaties and conventions.

(b) TIPS intellectual property includes, but is not limited to, the content, logo, brand, design, layout, look, appearance and graphics on the Website. Reproduction or copying of TIPS intellectual property is prohibited in terms of South African intellectual property and copyright laws and international treaties and conventions.

(b) No person, business or website may: (1) link to any page on the Website without prior written consent from TIPS; (2) frame the Website or any of the pages on the Website in any way whatsoever; or (3) use any technology to search and gain any information from the Website without prior written consent from TIPS.

(d) No person may reproduce, duplicate, publish, modify, copy, download, upload in any manner, post, broadcast or transmit, reverse engineer or disenable, display, or distribute or in any way exploit any of the Website’s software on content material. It is strictly prohibited to create works and/or software materials derived from or which are based on the contents found on the Website.

(d) Requests for prior written consent from TIPS regarding use of any contents which fall within the ambit of the limitations stated above can be made by contacting TIPS in writing at: noreply-jtproject@tips.org.za

5.              Implications of Certification

(a) TIPS makes no representation or undertaking that the issuance of a Certificate by or through the Website will afford, entitle or exclude a User from any service, support, funding, finance, exposure, acknowledgement, preference, selection, qualification, consideration, bid or contract.

(b) Certification is an outcome of a fully automated process with no human evaluation. TIPS will not provide any reasons for failure to achieve Certification. TIPS will not enter into any communication, discussion, negotiation or arbitration of any kind about any Certification.

These terms and conditions shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the Republic of South Africa. Any dispute arising from these terms and conditions shall be exclusively subject to the jurisdiction of the courts and/or tribunals of the Republic of South Africa. TIPS has the exclusive right to change or discontinue any aspect or feature of the Website and/or Certification without prior notice to anyone.

Acceptance of terms and conditions tick box:

Who should use this tool

A shared understanding of what counts as a just transition project (and what doesn’t) is fundamental to improving interactions between funders, financiers, project support partners, policy makers and project originators/implementers. This free just transition project certification website provides consistent, rigorous and objective project assessments against a fixed set of criteria – the first step towards a shared vision.

The tool is designed to be used by everyone – from a large multi-national company to SMMEs to informal community groupings and is applicable across sectors and various lifecycles of a project.

• Are you the originator or implementer of a project: Use the tool to test whether your project would be considered a just transition project.
• In the business of funding, financing or providing support services to just transition projects? Use the tool to assess applications and requests.

What you can expect from using this tool

Once you have completed the on-line application process you will receive an instant response letting you know if your project qualifies as a just transition project or not. If you qualify you will receive a certificate with a unique QR Code as proof that your project meets the criteria of this framework.

• For project originators/implementers: Print/download your certificate and use it as a resource when you present your project to third parties. Please note: The certificate does not promise or entitle you to any funding, finance, support, access or preference.
• For project funders and supporters: Certification can complement your existing internal decision making processes. Please note: The certificate does not verify the veracity of the information in the application.

If a project does not qualify as a just transition project it does not mean it is a bad project. It only means that it does not meet the criteria of this particular framework. For the complete framework see Just Transition Tagging Research Papers.

The website does not provide reasons for the failure of an application.

At this time the website does not offer referrals or support services. We hope to change these in the future.

The website is entirely automated and there is no contact or support centre except as per the Terms and Conditions.

This is a TIPS framework and is not mandated by any financial institution or government body.

Why we need this tool

Without a shared understanding of what constitutes a just transition project financial instruments, services and support policies will not be forthcoming. This website not only provides a consistent gauge for originators and funders/financiers and policy makers to find common ground; the highly searchable database of anonymised information also provides empirical input to further understanding, alignment and measurement of just transition projects.

No personal information will be made public. All project information will be aggregated and anonymous. See Terms and Conditions for details.

The Application Process

STEP1: Registration

• Fill in the requested information
• You will receive a verification email from noreply-jtproject@tips.co.za
• If you do not receive the email please check your junk or spam folder
• Click on verify in the email

STEP 2 : Login

• Fill in requested login details
• Click on the create button and your application will begin.

You may complete as many applications as you wish with a single registration. However, if you are a funder/supporter/financier, make sure you choose the appropriate type of organisation for each different application you enter because different types of organisations receive different selection options and questions.

TERMS OF REFERENCE – Research on Tourism in Mpumalanga

INTRODUCTION

Climate-change related impacts will likely have a significant impact on tourism in South Africa. In particular, there may be a turn away from long-distance travel, while environmental tourism sites will suffer as a result of greater heat, droughts and floods.^[1] A downturn in tourism would have a severe impact on low-income workers, small businesses and communities that depend on it for their jobs and livelihoods.^[2] However, tourism can also contribute to the economic diversification of regions, including rural areas, that are seeking to transition away from fossil fuels. Despite this, there has been little formal consideration or inquiry into these climate- and transition-related risks and opportunities for the tourism sector in South Africa, particularly in regions that will be most affected by the transition to low-carbon pathways.

PURPOSE

Trade & Industrial Policy Strategies (TIPS) is an implementing partner of the IKI-funded Just Transition to a Decarbonised Economy for South Africa (JUST SA) programme, which seeks to support the implementation of pathways towards an environmentally sustainable, climate change resilient, low-carbon economy and just society. As part of the project, TIPS is conducting research on opportunities for economic diversification and green industrialisation in Mpumalanga. To complement this research, TIPS is seeking a service provider to conduct targeted research on tourism in the province. Specifically, TIPS is looking for an experienced researcher to critically interrogate the viability of tourism as a diversification opportunity for the Mpumalanga coalfields (broadly defined as those areas of Mpumalanga that are heavily dependent upon coal mining, coal-fired power generation and other coal-based activities).

BACKGROUND and PROBLEM STATEMENT

While tourism itself is vulnerable to both climate change and decarbonization impacts, it has the potential to absorb jobs displaced in the transition to a low-carbon economy. The potential for economic diversification in the Mpumalanga coalfields and the ability of tourism and other sectors such as agriculture to absorb vulnerable workers from fossil-fuel dependent sectors such as coal mining and electricity generation are critical in ensuring a just transition. While there is little tourism taking place in the coalfields currently, how realistic is tourism as a diversification avenue in the region? Can tourism be a key driver of new economic opportunities in the Mpumalanga coalfields. If so, how? What factor should be considered to make it so? Or will tourism have to be confined to peripheral areas (such as the eastern part of the province) for the foreseeable future? In the main, the research should provide a strong justification for further work into the identification of specific opportunities for scalable tourism projects and investments in the Mpumalanga coal belt.

SCOPE OF WORK

The successful service provider will be required to undertake the following scope of work:

1. Update TIPS’s NEVA/SJRP work on tourism, with a focus on Mpumalanga and drawing on international literature and research on post-industrial tourism and agri-tourism.
2. Interview tour operators to Mpumalanga and any other relevant key informants to understand tourism flows in the province and possible tourism opportunities in the coal fields.
3. Conduct a supply-side survey of tourism businesses in the coalfields to establish current markets and potential for disruption due to the decommissioning of coal-fired power stations and other coal-based activities in the region.
4. Identify existing inclusive economy and green/low-carbon industry initiatives in Mpumalanga related to tourism and which could be linked to existing programmes (such as the Just Energy Transition Partnership) on economic diversification.
5. Identify the adoption of low-carbon technologies, investments in low-carbon travel itineraries, and sourcing of green and low-carbon finance by tourism businesses in Mpumalanga.
6. Based on the above, develop recommendations and proposals for tangible projects and policy interventions at the interface of tourism and the just transition focusing on opportunities in Mpumalanga and the Mpumalanga coal belt specifically. (Where relevant, draw on examples of low-carbon destination development and low-carbon travel itineraries from elsewhere in the world.)

DELIVERABLES 

The following deliverables are required:

1. A short inception report
2. Regular meetings with the TIPS JUST SA Project Lead to discuss progress.
3. Draft final report
4. A workshop, including a detailed PowerPoint presentation, to present results to the TIPS (online).
5. Final report, covering inter alia, the potential for scalable tourism initiatives in Mpumalanga, tourism firms’ adoption of green tourism, low-carbon travel and just transition considerations, and practical, policy-focused recommendations to catalyze investment in inclusive, sustainable and green tourism in the Mpumalanga coal belt.
6. A policy brief drawing on the main report and a public seminar / TIPS Development Dialogue on the topic once the final report is completed and approved.

SUBMISSION OF THE FINAL REPORT

The final report should constitute:

• Final report with notes of the methodology used.
• Executive summary in Word.
• PowerPoint presentation of the report.
• Final PDF report  and policy brief

REQUIREMENTS OF SUCCESFUL TENDERER

The successful service provider should possess the following skills and experience:

• Demonstrated experience in economic development planning and policy advice for low-carbon industries and sustainable tourism development (including the formulation of business cases, good practices, and opportunity scoping).
• Good understanding of just transition issues, development finance, and the emerging literature on just transition financing.
• A successful track record of clients in the public sector and international organisations as well as not-for-profit entities, such as policy think tanks.

PROJECT GOVERNANCE

The Service Provider will report to the TIPS Just SA programme manager.

TIMELINE

The project will be expected to commence in October 2024 following contract award and to take approximately 4-6 months from inception to completion.

INSTRUCTIONS TO TENDERERS

Tenderers are invited to respond to these terms of reference by submitting the following:

1. A short (maximum 10 page) proposal that includes a description of proposed research activities, fee proposal, and proposed payment/invoicing schedule. For each activity, please describe in a table: (a) the main research objective, (b) method, (c) data sources, (d) risks and mitigations, and (e) research output.
2. Indicative work plan.
3. Profile and CV of key personnel.

The maximum length of the proposal indicated above does not include the indicative work plan and CV(s) of key personnel.

CLOSING DATE

Proposal must be sent to TIPS for the attention of Natasha Du Plessis natasha@tips.org.za 

Closing date for proposals: Thursday 12 September 2024 at 16h00

TIPS FORUM 2024 - CALL FOR PAPERS

Small Business, Inclusive Growth, and Industrial Policy in South Africa
30-31 July 2024

The 2024 TIPS Forum seeks to deepen understanding of the small business sector in South Africa, how it is evolving, and the implications for industrial policy. The future of small business is core to an inclusive industrial policy in South Africa. Far fewer people earn livelihoods from their own businesses in South Africa than in other upper-middle-income countries. That reality is a core factor behind unusually high joblessness as well as deep inequalities in income and ownership. Industrial policy aimed at inclusive industrialisation must therefore seek a step change in the number of small businesses.

The Forum will discuss the systemic obstacles to the growth of small businesses in South Africa, and strategies for scaling up support and strengthening small business development as part of inclusive industrialisation. In doing so, the Forum will encourage discussion that considers the challenges and opportunities of the small business sector and inclusive industrialisation.

This Forum will have a hybrid format that enables mainly in-person presentations to engage a diverse virtual audience. It will provide a platform for high-level panel discussions between industry, academics, representatives from civil society, policymakers and communities.  Authors are invited to submit an abstract of up to 500 words. To be considered, abstracts should be submitted by Friday 29 March 2024. Authors will be notified of the decision by Friday 10 May 2024. Final papers are due for submission by Friday 28 June 2024. Abstract submissions should include full contact details of the authors.

If you wish to contribute, please submit the title of your paper and the abstract to Daphney Mabuza at TIPS via email to: dialogue@tips.org.zaTIPS is partnering with, and receiving financial support for the Forum from, the DSI/NRF South African Research Chair in Industrial Development (SARChI) based at the University of Johannesburg. The Forum will be undertaken in association with the Department of Trade Industry and Competition (the dtic).

2024 Forum Context and Themes

Since 1994, the small business sector has received significant public and private attention as a source of economic growth and employment, and at the outset formed part of South Africa’s industrial policy. The legacy of apartheid, however, created structural barriers that have hindered the growth of this sector, limiting its impact. While there has been growth in the number of small businesses – from 590 000 formal small business in 2010 to 710 000 in 2022 – this growth has been insufficient to address the deficit left by apartheid. In other upper-middle-income countries, small business owners (employers and the self-employed) make up more than 20% of the working-age population. In South Africa, this is just 6%.

The National Industrial Policy Framework (NIPF) recognises small business and enterprise development as a core component of inclusive industrial development. A multitude of institutions, agencies and a national government department have emerged as part of support to the sector. This development, various packages of donor support and private sector programmes have contributed to building an eco-system to grow and nurture small businesses.

The negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the global financial crisis before that, however, caused a significant decline in the small business sector. Both crises took years to recover from, and highlight the fragility and lack of a robust small business environment. Based in part on learnings from the global financial crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic brought stronger economic support packages. As a result, it has seen a quicker economic rebound. 
Climate change has in recent times become a climate emergency with devastating impacts across the globe. Responses to this crisis have varied across regions, with changes taking place in energy sources, fossil fuel use, trade requirements, and supply chains. These changes have taken place alongside a period of rapid and disruptive technological change, with implications for small business, employment, skills and emissions. 

Opportunities for development arise from stronger collaboration across the continent, as African countries strengthen their economies, support small businesses through industrial policy and improve continental trade arrangements. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) negotiations have been spurred on by an overwhelming need to do things differently and create opportunities for businesses of all sizes in multiple sectors to trade across the continent. With regional and global value chains shaping business operations, there are increasing opportunities in integrating small and medium enterprises (SMEs) into value chains and understanding the access to new markets, foreign exchange and the potential technology spillover effects on domestic firms and economies.

Looking ahead, inclusive industrialisation requires more decisive industrial policy interventions. Policy-orientated research is required to better understand the political-economy impacts, the socio-economic costs to society, and appropriate strategies and measures.The Forum offers the opportunity for collective critical analysis of possible solutions considering related opportunities and challenges, and further actions. The call for proposals covers broad themes addressing the impact on small businesses on industrial policy and inclusive growth, such as:

• Building and enabling a small business ecosystem
• The production structure in South Africa
• Education, training and skills constraints within small and medium manufacturing enterprises
• Access to finance and the role of the financial sector
• Barriers to entry and access to global markets
• The Master Plans, localisation, and other industrial policy instruments
• The climate emergency and the Just Transition
• Promoting green industrialisation among small businesses
• The quality and affordability of infrastructure
• Innovation in SMEs
• Technological change
• Strategies to promote more inclusive growth
• Township enterprises
• The AfCFTA and global trade
• Integration into regional value chains (within SADC)

 Broader papers on industrial policy, not directly linked to the theme of the 2024 Forum, will also be considered.