PhD candidate Menka Vansant wrote a blog about a conference she attended in Scotland.

On April 24-25, 2025, I attended a conference held by the Centre of African Studies (CAS) and the Centre for Business, Climate Change and Sustainability (B-CCaS) at the University of Edinburgh. The conference was titled: “Climate Dynamics and the Politics of a Post-Carbon Africa”. I listened to my peers from universities around the world conducting research in Africa, who discussed topics such as climate-induced unrest and violence, just transitions and human mobility, sustainable urban transformations, environmental governance, and indigenous knowledge and community voices.

I presented my dissertation research on the perspectives of key actors, including community members and small-scale fishers from the fishing town Port Nolloth which is located on the west coast of South Africa. Using a case study approach, I recorded their views regarding South Africa’s blue economy (“Operation Phakisa”) and Just Energy Transition Plan (JETP). This dissertation examined how – in light of these proposed developments spearheaded by the state – these various perspectives indicated a significant push and pull between environmental protection, upholding the rights of small-scale fishers, and macroeconomic interests of the state and private sector, with energy security and job and GDP growth emerging as the predominant drivers of offshore oil, gas and green hydrogen development.

In my presentation, I described the different perspectives and debates on what South Africa’s blue economy should entail, with vulnerable and marginalised people and communities, such as Port Nolloth, experiencing the effects of state-level decision-making around Operation Phakisa and the JETP. Due to the short length allowed for presentations, I focused on the macroeconomic narratives of offshore oil and gas and green hydrogen development, which were inconsistent with the lived realities of small-scale fishers and community members in Port Nolloth. I also highlighted the perspectives of other key actors regarding employment opportunities, environmental impact, and other socioeconomic impacts on affected communities.

It was exciting to learn about other countries’ experiences with just energy transitions and issues pertaining to existing offshore oil and gas development, such as in Nigeria. Understanding research and the experiences from other countries helped me situate my own research in a broader African context. It was also a great opportunity to make other connections; for example, a researcher at Stellenbosch University asked if I would give a talk on my dissertation to her research group as we have similar research interests. Being able to network and find areas of potential collaboration with other academics was extremely useful.

I am very grateful for this opportunity that the University of Cape Town provided and am hopeful that it will result in further collaborations and meaningful research on just energy transitions. It was also a beautiful time of year to visit Scotland, and with the University of Edinburgh’s campus filled with stunning cherry blossoms.