Makhombothi, Ntuthuko2025-01-292025-01-292024Makhombothi, Ntuthuko. (2024). Coal and the Environment: Some implications for South Africa [Master’s dissertation, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg].WireDSpace..https://hdl.handle.net/10539/43770https://hdl.handle.net/10539/43770A research report submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Business Administration to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, Wits Business School, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024South Africa’s coal industry faces an existential threat from the need to transition to a low carbon economy. This study analyses the implications of the Just Energy Transition (JET) on the coal industry of South Africa using mixed methods approach and secondary data from industry reports, government reports and academic sources. The study demonstrates the significant economic contribution of coal to the GDP, employment and energy security, while evaluating the JET framework against international principles. Although the JET framework is largely aligned with international principles, there are some areas for improvement. The decommissioning of the Komati power station illustrates the shortcoming in the distributive, restorative and redistributive justice. The findings suggest a need for a balanced JET that ensures economic growth, energy security and environmental sustainability. Further research is required to develop transition pathways that mitigate against the negative socioeconomic consequences for coal dependent communitiesen© 2025 University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.Just Energy TransitionRenewable EnergyEnergy SecurityClean Coal technologiesProcedural JusticeUCTDSDG-7: Affordable and clean energyDissertationUniversity of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg