The beef with climate change: Growth, equity, amd a just transition in the beef sector in South Africa

This Guidance Memo critically examines the planned growth of beef production and export in South Africa. The central focus is on whether the red meat industry’s growth strategy can achieve a just transition through broadscale Black smallholder farmer inclusion, creation of decent work and equitable livelihoods, and ensuring ecological regeneration and resilience. It finds that there appears to be a tension between the economics of the beef industry (which seeks output maximisation, has been increasing in concentration, and operates under intense competitive pressures) on the one hand; and inclusion and ecological goals on the other. That is, current economic patterns pose challenges to shifting to a system that aligns multiple objectives and is broadly inclusive and fair, in terms of widescale decent work and equitable livelihoods, sustainability and healthy landscapes, and the right to food. The report briefly considers interventions that could be more effective in moving towards a just transition, and makes initial actionable recommendations to begin the process of dialogue to get there.