Africa gets first guide for just transitioning reporting

Titled ‘A Practical Guide to Reporting Just Transition in Africa’, the guide was unveiled in Nairobi, Kenya, during a conference on African Workers’ Contribution to Energy Sovereignty, Green Industrialisation and a Common African Position for COP31.

The initiative comes as African countries grapple with the growing impact of climate change while pursuing renewable energy, green industrialisation and sustainable economic development raising critical questions about jobs, livelihoods, energy access and the future of workers.

The Nairobi conference brought together trade union leaders, civil society representatives, journalist leaders and members of the African Group of Negotiators on Climate Change (AGN) to discuss Africa’s priorities ahead of COP31.

Participants also examined the role of journalism in ensuring that climate policies and the transition to greener economies are properly understood by the public, while the concerns of workers and vulnerable communities are reflected in policy debates.

Launching the publication, FAJ President Omar Faruk Osman described the just transition as one of the most important public-interest journalism issues of the time because of its impact on jobs, livelihoods, workers’ rights and African economies.

He said Africa and its people are among those hardest hit by a climate crisis they did not create, making a just transition essential to building a fairer and more sustainable future.

“Just transition is one of the most important public interest journalism issues of our time because it profoundly affects people’s jobs, livelihoods, workers’ rights and the future of our economies,” Osman said.

He stressed that journalists have a crucial responsibility in helping citizens understand the opportunities, challenges and choices associated with the transition.

According to Osman, the guide would enable journalists to report climate and transition issues accurately, fairly and responsibly while ensuring that workers, communities and African perspectives are given greater visibility.

The publication was developed by African journalists, with contributions from experts in climate policy, labour and media. It provides practical reporting techniques, case studies and ethical guidance on issues including climate justice, climate finance, renewable energy, workers’ rights and information integrity.

Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, Chair of the FAJ Working Group on Climate Change, said the guide was developed from lessons gathered through FAJ’s engagement with journalists and trade unions across the continent.

He said there was growing interest among journalists in reporting on the just transition, but many still lacked access to specialised knowledge and practical reporting resources.

“Climate change is one of the most complex and high-stakes stories of our time, yet many journalists continue to face challenges in accessing specialised knowledge and reliable reporting tools,” Nasralla said.

He said the guide was intended to bridge that gap by promoting accurate, ethical and evidence-based reporting that reflects African realities, voices and solutions.

ITUC-Africa General Secretary Akhator Joel Odigie welcomed the publication, saying stronger cooperation between journalists and trade unions was necessary to ensure that workers’ concerns become part of public debate and policy discussions.

He said trade unions were carrying out important work on climate justice and workers’ rights, but their stories often do not receiving sufficient media attention.

Odigie argued that stronger media coverage could improve public understanding and encourage governments to adopt policies that protect workers and communities affected by the transition.

ITUC-Africa Deputy President Rose Omamo similarly stressed the importance of preparing workers for changing economies through reskilling and upskilling.

“Workers including journalists are asking what the transition means for their future,” Omamo said, urging stakeholders to ensure that no one is left behind.

She encouraged journalists and trade unions to use and share the guide widely, saying informed journalism could help people understand both the opportunities and challenges presented by the transition.

Speaking on behalf of FAJ-affiliated journalists’ unions, Gambia Press Union (GPU) President Isatou Keita described the publication as an important professional development resource for journalists across Africa.

Keita said national journalists’ unions could use the guide for training, mentoring and professional development as climate change increasingly becomes a major public-interest issue.

“Across Africa, journalists are increasingly reporting on climate change and its impact on people’s lives, but many need accessible guidance to cover these complex issues with confidence and accuracy,” she said.

The guide has been published in English, French and Portuguese and will be distributed through FAJ-affiliated journalists’ unions and media organisations across the continent. Digital editions will also be made freely available to maximise access.

Its production was funded by Mondiaal FNV, the international solidarity organisation of the Dutch trade union movement, to support stronger trade union engagement on climate justice, decent work and the just transition.

The initiative forms part of FAJ’s broader programme to strengthen public-interest journalism on climate change, the just transition and information integrity.

Through its collaboration with ITUC-Africa, Global Union Federations, journalists’ unions, media organisations and development partners, FAJ aims to strengthen journalists’ capacity to report on the economic, social and environmental dimensions of climate change.

The federation says the ultimate goal is to ensure African voices remain central to national, continental and global discussions on climate change, energy sovereignty, workers’ rights and sustainable development.