The Federation of African Journalists (FAJ) has launched a continental guide aimed at strengthening journalists’ capacity to report on climate change, workers’ rights and Africa’s transition to sustainable and low-carbon economies.
The publication, A Practical Guide to Reporting Just Transition in Africa, was unveiled during a conference on African workers’ contribution to energy sovereignty, green industrialisation and a common African position for COP31, held in Nairobi, Kenya, from August 5 to 7, 2026.
The guide is designed to provide journalists and newsrooms with practical knowledge and reporting tools for covering issues including climate justice, climate finance, renewable energy, workers’ rights and sustainable development.
Presenting the publication at the conference, FAJ President Omar Faruk described just transition as one of the most important public-interest journalism issues of the time, given its impact on jobs, livelihoods, workers’ rights and the future of African economies.
He said Africa and its people are among those hardest hit by climate change despite having contributed relatively little to the crisis.
“Journalists are at the heart of that journey,” Faruk said, noting that the media has an important role in helping the public understand the opportunities, challenges and choices associated with just transition.
He said the guide would support accurate and responsible reporting while giving greater visibility to the concerns of workers and communities and ensuring African perspectives are reflected in global climate discussions.
Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, Chairperson 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 journalists in countries including Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya and Ethiopia have shown growing interest in just transition reporting but often face difficulties accessing specialised knowledge and reliable reporting resources.
“This Guide is designed to help bridge that gap by supporting accurate, ethical and evidence-based reporting that reflects African realities, voices and solutions,” Nasralla said.
The Deputy President of the International Trade Union Confederation-Africa (ITUC-Africa), Rose Omamo, said the guide would also help trade unions communicate more effectively with their members about the implications of the transition.
She said workers need opportunities to reskill and upskill as economies move towards cleaner energy and urged stakeholders to ensure that no worker is left behind.
Omamo described the publication as an important organising tool for trade unions and called for it to be actively used to tell African stories both on the continent and internationally.
ITUC-Africa General Secretary Akhator Joel Odigie commended FAJ for producing the guide and called for stronger collaboration between journalists and trade unions.
Odigie said workers’ concerns often receive insufficient media attention despite the important role trade unions play in advocating for their interests.
He said better reporting on just transition could improve public understanding, encourage governments to develop policies that protect workers and affected communities, and strengthen the influence of workers’ concerns in policy discussions.
The guide was developed by African journalists with contributions from experts in climate policy, labour and media. It contains practical reporting techniques, case studies and ethical guidance on issues central to Africa’s just transition.
FAJ said the publication builds on its broader work on climate reporting and responds to growing demand among African journalists for practical resources tailored to the continent’s realities.
The guide has been published in English, French and Portuguese and will be distributed through FAJ-affiliated journalists’ unions and media organisations across Africa. Digital editions will also be made freely available.
The publication 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.
