A male and female toilet sign. Gender outcomes must be treated as a fundamental investment requirement in the green transition by large corporations, development finance organisations, and industry associations, says the author.
Image: Pexels
A massive industrial revolution and economic transformation in modern times is currently taking place globally and in South Africa as we transition towards a low-carbon and climate-resilient economy. The question we ask: What will government, large corporations, development finance organisations, and industry associations do to ensure our country has a just and equitable transition.
International Women's Day (IWD) 2026 which we marked on Sunday March 8 featured the twin complementary themes: "Give to Gain" - focusing on investment, collaboration, and solidarity and the United Nations theme "Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls” focusing on overcoming legal and social barriers to equality.
At the heels of IWD is the Seventieth Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW 70), which is the principal global intergovernmental body exclusively dedicated to the promotion of gender equality, the rights, and the empowerment of women take place at United Nations from 9 to 19 March 2026. The purpose of the gathering and IWD observations remains the pursuit of justice for all women and girls, including by promoting inclusive and equitable legal systems, eliminating discriminatory laws, policies, and practices, and addressing structural barriers.
Globally and here at home, there is a growing recognition that inclusive economic development and climate action are inextricably linked. Therefore, making these platforms an opportunity to consider this relationship between gender equality, economic development, and climate ambition, as we drive carbon neutral development and inclusive economic development.
Engender the Energy Transition for optimal outcomes
Women are essential drivers of a just energy transition, shifting from being disproportionately affected by energy poverty to becoming key innovators, leaders, and consumers in the green economy. Ensuring their active participation in policymaking, training, and leadership is crucial to creating an inclusive, sustainable, and equitable energy system.
This realisation is especially crucial for South Africa due to the severe structural disparities in employment, income, and economic opportunity in addition to the urgent need to address the impacts of climate change. To ensure a just transition, it is crucial to consider who participates and who benefits from the transition to a low carbon future. The country's energy system, industrial landscape, labour markets, and investment flows will all be drastically changed by this shift. If the energy transition is to just, it is important that we not replicate historical injustices.
Gender outcomes must be treated as a fundamental investment requirement in the green transition by large corporations, development finance organisations, and industry associations.
Through targeted financing and blended finance instruments that open up capital for female entrepreneurs, development finance institutions can further facilitate women’s participation.
Therefore, women together with other marginalised groups must be placed at the centre of South Africa’s just transition, as they are not only often disproportionately affected by climate and economic shocks, but also because their participation as workers, entrepreneurs, innovators, and leaders will be essential to building an inclusive and resilient green economy.
Investment in inclusive economic growth and resilient communities
The green economy offers business investment opportunities that go beyond electricity generation. This may include opportunities in project development, grid and storage infrastructure, legal and financial services, construction, operations and maintenance, and environmental and social management are all components of renewable energy value chains.
Beyond energy, women-led businesses in a variety of industries can benefit from opportunities in water-efficient irrigation systems, agro-processing, and climate-risk advisory services that can all be increased by climate-smart agriculture. Women farmers and agri-entrepreneurs can be key players in creating more resilient food systems when they have access to land, markets, technology, and funding.
Similarly, circular economy industries, such as waste beneficiation, repair, reuse, and recycling are locally based and labour-intensive where women-owned businesses can prosper. These sectors support more sustainable patterns of production and consumption in addition to generating jobs. These are only some opportunities that the transition presents for women to take advantage off.
Therefore, ensuring that women have a meaningful role in creating and reaping the benefits of the green economy is more than just a question of representation; rather, it is investment in more inclusive economic growth and resilient communities.
Cementing the building blocks of a redistributive just transition The Just Transition Framework as approved by Cabinet, three years ago recognises that the coal belt requires targeted investment to diversify its economy and to create new opportunities for workers and local businesses.
This entails ensuring programmes for economic development, industrial policy, and climate policy actively promote the expansion of women-led businesses in developing green industries. Improving access to financing through development finance organisations, blended finance tools, and enterprise development programmes that particularly assist women entrepreneurs flourishing in the green economy.
As we move forward in our decarbonisation path, women must be positioned to take advantage of this economic opportunity of the energy transition.
Zimasa Vazi, Senior Manager, Stakeholder Relations, Presidential Climate Commission.
Image: Supplied
Zimasa Vazi, Senior Manager, Stakeholder Relations, Presidential Climate Commission
*** The views expressed here do not necessarily represent those of Independent Media or IOL.
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