ECONOMIC jUSTICE wEBINAR sERIES
The Climate Justice Coalition is committed to promoting a transformative climate justice agenda that addresses the issues of inequality, poverty, and unemployment in South Africa. Economic justice is a key component of this agenda and is critical to achieving meaningful change. To help coalition members develop a foundational understanding of economic justice and its interconnected and intersectional aspects, we are presenting an introductory webinar series called “Planting the Seeds of Justice”.
This visual captures the core ideas around the “Just Transition”, focusing on the shift from a carbon economy to one powered by renewable energy as an opportunity to correct historical injustices. It illustrates the ongoing exploitation of both people and the planet, calling for transformative approaches that centre marginalised voices, embrace indigenous knowledge, and demand systemic change. While legal and policy tools like human rights frameworks and the Constitution remain important, real public participation is the driving force we need to hold power accountable and build a fair, just, and sustainable future for all.
Glossary
The obligation of individuals and institutions to take responsibility for their actions and be answerable to the public, especially in governance and policy.
An economic system dependent on fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas, contributing to climate change.
The highest legal document that outlines the rights and responsibilities of a country’s citizens and government.
Approaches that challenge colonial legacies and emphasise the need for systems and policies that reflect indigenous knowledge and cultural contexts.
A movement that connects environmental justice with gender equality, emphasising the unique impact of environmental harm on women, particularly in marginalised. communities.
The unfair treatment or use of people and natural resources for profit, often resulting in harm and inequality.
Local, community-led initiatives that advocate for social or political change, often emphasising bottom-up participation.
Fundamental rights and freedoms that every person is entitled to, such as the right to life, liberty, and equality.
Traditional, local knowledge passed down through generations, often emphasising harmony with nature and sustainability.
The process of transitioning to a sustainable economy that prioritises fairness and inclusivity for all, particularly marginalised communities.
Groups of people who are excluded from full participation in society due to social, economic, or political disadvantages.
The involvement of citizens in decision-making processes, particularly in policy discussions and governance.
Energy generated from natural sources like wind, solar, and hydro, which are sustainable and have less environmental impact.
A global framework of 17 goals set by the UN to address poverty, inequality, and climate change by 2030. In South Africa, the SDGs align with the National Development Plan, focusing on issues like education, gender equality, clean energy, and sustainable cities.
Fundamental changes to societal structures, policies, and systems to address underlying causes of injustice and inequality.
This graphic harvest examines the lasting effects of colonialism on global economic inequality and climate vulnerability. It reveals how resource extraction from colonised nations fuelled the wealth of colonisers, creating disparities that still impact climate resilience today. Decolonisation is framed as being more than symbols: it’s about real structural change, requiring reparations that reshape laws, institutions, and economic systems. The focus is on decentralising power, fostering grassroots engagement, and building solidarity through localised solutions and regional economies to achieve true climate and economic justice.
Glossary
A process where local communities help shape policies and solutions, rather than having decisions imposed on them from higher authorities.
The concentration of wealth and capital in the hands of a few, often achieved through exploiting labour and resources, especially from colonised nations.
Recognising climate change as a political issue that disproportionately harms vulnerable communities and pushing for their fair treatment in policy decisions.
The ability of a community or system to endure and recover from the effects of climate change, such as natural disasters.
The practice of controlling and exploiting another country, usually through settlement and economic domination.
A system where decisions are made at local or regional levels, allowing communities to have more control and participation
The process of dismantling colonial systems, not just through symbolic actions but by transforming political, economic, and social structures.
Forgiving the debts of developing countries, especially in the Global South, to help them rebuild and grow their economies.
Ensuring fair distribution of wealth, income, and opportunities, particularly for those marginalised by exploitation.
Reforming the laws and systems that govern society to make them more equitable and just, especially in response to colonialism’s lasting impacts.
The flow and management of money across borders, affecting developing countries’ abilities to fund climate resilience and economic recovery.
Community-driven approaches to solving problems like climate change and economic development, designed to meet the specific needs of a region.
The processes of creating goods and services (production) and how they are shared or allocated (distribution), which can be reorganised to promote fairness.
Economic systems focused on strengthening local or regional production and trade, reducing dependence on global powers or centralised institutions.
Compensation for past wrongs. In this context, reparations address the impacts of colonialism and slavery by transforming laws, institutions, and economic systems.
A transformative process that goes beyond money or land transfers. It involves reshaping laws, institutions, and economic systems to fix the harm done by colonialism. It requires decentralising decision-making and restructuring production and distribution to create lasting economic justice and climate resilience.
The removal of natural resources from the earth, typically benefiting wealthy countries and leaving exploited regions more vulnerable.
The unity and mutual support among different communities working together to achieve shared goals, like justice and climate action.
The forced transport of enslaved Africans to the Americas, part of a trade system that enriched colonial powers at the expense of African people.
The degree to which a community or individual is exposed to harm from environmental, economic, or social impacts, like climate change.
How wealth is spread across a society, often leading to inequality between different regions or populations, especially between colonisers and colonised.
This harvest dives into Feminist Economics, a framework that highlights the value of unpaid care work while challenging the exploitative nature of capitalist economies that thrive on the reproductive labour of women and the extraction of natural resources. It calls for a shift towards a Care Economy that recognises care work as vital to both economic growth and human well-being. By examining government budgets and fiscal policies through a feminist lens, it advocates for social protections, gender equality, and genuinely inclusive decision-making. The transition to a just and sustainable economy must revalue care work, emphasising solidarity with women and marginalised communities in the fight for climate and economic justice.
Glossary
Demographic trends in which the proportion of older individuals in a society increases, leading to greater demands for care work, often performed by women.
An approach to fiscal policy that assesses government budgets with attention to gender equality, ensuring that resources are allocated in ways that support women, care work, and marginalised communities.
A sector of the economy that includes all forms of care work, both paid and unpaid, which sustains the workforce and society by maintaining the well-being of individuals.
An economic system based on private ownership and profit-making, often criticised for its role in perpetuating inequality and environmental degradation through resource extraction.
A movement and framework that links the impacts of climate change to social justice, advocating for fair treatment of all people, especially vulnerable communities, in addressing climate change.
Natural environments that provide essential services such as clean water, air, and food, which are crucial for human survival and are often exploited in extractive economic models.
The concept of fairness in economic policies and practices, ensuring that all individuals have equal opportunities, access to resources, and are not marginalised in economic decision-making.
An economic model focused on taking resources from the environment and exploiting labour for profit, without adequately replenishing or compensating for what is used or lost.
An approach to economics that emphasises gender equality, recognizes the value of unpaid care work, and critiques mainstream economic models that often overlook women’s labour and contributions.
The use of government spending and taxation to influence a country’s economy, often determining how resources are allocated, including in sectors like healthcare, education, and social services.
The state in which all individuals have reliable access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs for a healthy life.
The state in which individuals of all genders have equal rights, responsibilities, and opportunities across all sectors of life, including the economic, political, and social spheres.
The traditional and often unequal allocation of work between men and women, where women are typically expected to perform unpaid care work, while men engage in paid labour.
A framework for transitioning from an extractive, fossil-fuel-based economy to a sustainable and equitable economy, ensuring that the shift is fair to workers, communities, and those impacted by environmental degradation.
Traditional economic theories and models that focus on market transactions, often excluding the value of unpaid care work and the social and environmental costs of economic activities.
A system of male dominance that shapes economic and social structures, undervaluing women’s labour and perpetuating gender inequality. In feminist economics and climate justice, it reinforces unequal resource distribution and decision-making power, disproportionately harming women and marginalised communities.
The work of maintaining and sustaining human life, including childbirth, caregiving, and household work, often performed by women without pay.
The process of recognising and increasing the perceived and actual value of work, particularly unpaid or underpaid care work, within the economy and society.
Public policies and programmes designed to reduce poverty and vulnerability by providing individuals with access to basic necessities such as healthcare, housing, education, and income support.
Government-funded programmes and services designed to support individuals and communities, including healthcare, education, housing, and welfare assistance
Practices and policies aimed at meeting current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs, especially in relation to the environment and natural resources.
A situation in which individuals, especially women, are overburdened by the dual demands of paid and unpaid work, leaving them with insufficient time for rest, leisure, or self-care.
Labour that involves caring for children, the elderly, or the household, which is essential for societal functioning but typically not compensated or recognized within traditional economic models.
Groups of people who are at greater risk of economic, social, or environmental harm, often due to structural inequalities related to race, gender, class, or geography.
This graphic harvest dives into the cracks of growth-centred economics, exposing how profit is prioritised at the expense of sustainability. It challenges whether endless growth can ever align with ecological boundaries, critiquing approaches like Ecological Modernisation and the Sustainable Development Goals for ignoring deeper issues like pollution and inequality.
Awande promotes post-growth economics, shifting the focus to well-being, equity, and responsible resource use over endless production. The message is clear: we need low-carbon jobs and strong public services to achieve true economic and climate justice.
Glossary
The variety of life on Earth, including species diversity, ecosystem diversity, and genetic diversity, essential for environmental stability and resilience.
The concept of addressing the unequal impacts of climate change on vulnerable populations and ensuring fair treatment in climate policy and action.
Resources or services that benefit all members of society, such as clean air, public parks, and public transportation systems.
The process of reducing the link between economic activity and environmental harm, often by shifting towards sustainable practices.
The fair distribution of resources, opportunities, and wealth within a society, particularly in relation to addressing historical inequalities.
A framework that seeks to integrate environmental sustainability into current economic and industrial practices while maintaining economic growth.
The continuous increase in an economy’s production of goods and services, traditionally seen as an indicator of economic success.
Economic strategies that prioritise continuous growth as a key measure of success, often without fully addressing the impact on the environment or societal well-being.
Jobs that contribute to reducing carbon emissions, such as those in sectors like renewable energy, public transport, healthcare, and education.
Traditional economic theories and practices that prioritise continuous growth, profit, and market efficiency without fully considering social or environmental impacts.
The environmental limits within which humanity can safely operate to avoid irreversible environmental damage.
An economic philosophy that advocates for moving beyond growth as the primary measure of success, focusing instead on quality of life, equity, and sustainability.
The exhaustion of natural resources due to over-consumption and unsustainable practices.
A global framework of 17 goals set by the UN to address poverty, inequality, and climate change by 2030. In South Africa, the SDGs align with the National Development Plan, focusing on issues like education, gender equality, clean energy, and sustainable cities.
A holistic measure of societal success that prioritizes health, happiness, and quality of life over economic output such as GDP.