The Federation of African Journalists (FAJ) has unveiled a continental guide designed to enhance media coverage of climate change, workers’ rights, and Africa’s shift towards greener and more sustainable economies. This publication, officially titled "A Practical Guide to Reporting Just Transition in Africa," was officially launched in Nairobi, Kenya, during the Conference on African Workers’ Contribution to Energy Sovereignty, Green Industrialization and a Common African Position for COP31. The conference took place from August 5 to 7, 2026. The guide aims to support journalists across the continent in reporting on these critical issues effectively, providing a key resource for media professionals.
Guide's Purpose and Content
The new publication provides journalists and newsrooms with specialized knowledge, ethical standards, and practical tools for reporting on climate justice, climate finance, renewable energy, decent work, and sustainable development. The Federation of African Journalists (FAJ) developed the guide to bridge existing knowledge gaps within the media landscape. It aims to promote accurate, ethical, and evidence-based journalism that reflects African realities, experiences, and solutions. This full resource is intended to empower media professionals to delve deeper into the complexities of the just transition.
The guide contains various reporting techniques, relevant case studies, and ethical recommendations to assist journalists in their coverage. It covers critical topics such as climate finance, renewable energy, and workers’ rights. Information integrity is also addressed, alongside other issues central to Africa’s just transition towards sustainable economies. These elements are designed to equip journalists with the necessary tools to produce informed and impactful stories.
Context and Need for the Guide
FAJ President Omar Faruk described the just transition as one of the most significant public-interest issues confronting journalism today. Mr. Faruk stated, "Informed media coverage will help citizens understand climate policies, amplify the voices of workers and affected communities and ensure that African perspectives influence continental and international decision-making." African countries and their citizens remain among those most affected by a climate crisis to which they contributed the least to creating. Journalists, therefore, hold a key responsibility to explain the choices, opportunities, and challenges associated with this transition. This responsibility shows the urgent need for specialized reporting tools.
Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, Chairperson of the FAJ Working Group on Climate Change, indicated that the guide was informed by lessons gathered through FAJ’s engagement with journalists and trade unions across Africa. Engagements conducted in Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, and Ethiopia revealed a growing interest among journalists in covering the just-transition agenda. Despite this interest, many media practitioners still encounter difficulties accessing specialized knowledge, dependable information, and reporting resources specifically suited to African conditions. The guide seeks to overcome these barriers by providing tailored content.
Worker and Union Perspectives
Comrade Rose Omamo, Deputy President of the International Trade Union Confederation-Africa (ITUC-Africa), stated that workers are increasingly seeking clear information regarding the impact of the climate transition on their jobs, incomes, and future security. She noted that the new guide would enable journalists to explain these changes more effectively, simultaneously assisting trade unions in enhancing communication with their members. Ms. Omamo characterized the publication as an organizing instrument capable of supporting unions in expanding their membership and sustaining their relevance within a changing economic landscape. Akhator Joel Odigie added that trade unions are undertaking valuable work across the continent, yet many of their activities and concerns frequently remain underreported by the media. This lack of coverage often means that key worker perspectives are not adequately represented in public discourse.
Accessibility and Support
The publication, titled "A Practical Guide to Reporting Just Transition in Africa," aims to support journalists across the continent. A fair transition is essential to ensuring that climate and energy policies protect vulnerable communities while supporting sustainable economic development. ITUC-Africa General Secretary, Akhator Joel Odigie, commended FAJ for producing the guide and called for stronger collaboration between journalists and trade unions. Better media coverage, Mr. Odigie noted, would improve public understanding and encourage Governments to introduce policies that protect workers and communities affected by climate and economic changes. The publication is available in English, French, and Portuguese, ensuring broad accessibility across diverse linguistic regions in Africa. Digital copies will be made freely available to further improve accessibility for journalists, facilitating its widespread adoption and use. Its production was funded by Mondiaal FNV, the international solidarity organisation of the Dutch trade union movement, noting international support for this key initiative.