Representation, advocacy and justice - the role of civil society organisations in South African climate policy

Whelan, Anna

Representation, advocacy and justice - the role of civil society organisations in South African climate policy

Thesis / Dissertation

2026

Publisher

University of Cape Town

Department

Department of Environmental and Geographical Science

Faculty

Faculty of Science

Abstract

Climate justice is a multidimensional framework that addresses the disproportionate and unequal impacts of climate change, advocating for fair and equitable solutions that prioritise marginalised communities. It frames climate change not only as a scientific, financial, or technological issue but as a fundamental matter of justice, requiring inclusive governance and rights-based responses. Civil society organisations (CSOs) play a critical role in advancing climate justice by amplifying the voices of vulnerable populations, advocating for policy reform, and holding governments accountable. However, their influence in climate governance is often constrained by structural barriers, power asymmetries, and institutional limitations. This dissertation examines the role of CSOs in South African climate policy-making, focusing on their representation and advocacy functions in shaping justice-oriented climate policies. The study introduces a conceptual Climate Justice Framework, integrating procedural, recognitional, distributive, and restorative justice principles to evaluate CSO engagement in climate governance. Using content analysis and developing a justice rubric, it assesses the extent to which CSOs potentially influenced the development of South Africa's Climate Change Act (2024) with regards to justice considerations. The findings reveal notable progress in procedural justice, particularly through enhanced public participation and accountability mechanisms. However, recognitional and restorative justice remain limited, with marginalised groups largely absent from key policy provisions. Additionally, distributive justice considerations, essential for ensuring equitable climate responses, are significantly lacking, raising concerns about the fairness of climate governance in addressing historical and socioeconomic disparities. This research contributes to climate governance literature by providing empirical insights into the effectiveness of CSO advocacy and representation in climate policy-making. It also offers a structured framework for evaluating climate justice within legislative processes, which can be applied in other national contexts. The findings have broader implications for global climate governance, underscoring the need for stronger legal and institutional mechanisms to support civil society engagement, democratise climate policymaking, and promote justice-oriented climate action.

Keywords

civil society organisation (CSO)

climate justice

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