Research Reports
Our research reports go beyond headlines, offering deeper insight into the social, political, and economic issues shaping our society. Grounded in data, lived experience, and on-the-ground engagement, they help make sense of complexity while supporting informed decision-making. Each report is designed to challenge perspectives, highlight real-world realities, and point toward practical action.
Where knowledge not only informs, but drives meaningful and lasting change.
Climate Comms Baseline Report
Community Perspectives of the Transition from Coal to Green Energy- “No one consulted us. They just do as they please”.
The “Community Perspectives of the Transition from Coal to Green Energy” report (October 2023) examines how South African communities experience and understand the shift from coal to renewable energy.
Round 1: The Lived Reality of Daily Power Cuts in two South African Province
This report (May 2023) documents the lived experiences of communities in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal facing ongoing power cuts, aiming to understand how the energy crisis affects daily life and to inform more effective communication and policy responses through the Mobilize Energy Comms campaign.
Round 2: The Lived Realities of coping with loadshedding and power cuts in two South African Provinces
This report (July 2023) examines how communities in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal cope with ongoing load-shedding, with a focus on illegal electricity connections, alternative energy use, and perceptions of government responses, aiming to deepen understanding of lived realities and inform communication and policy approaches.
Round 3: The Lived Realities of coping with loadshedding and power cuts in two South African Provinces- Community perceptions and voices on government plans to address loadshedding
This report (August 2023) builds on earlier rounds to examine how communities engage with and understand government energy plans, particularly the Energy Action Plan and Just Transition, while assessing access to information, trust in these policies, and the effectiveness of communication efforts.
Energy Comms Pre and Post Survey Report on the Lived Realities of Coping with Loadshedding and Power Cuts in two South African Provinces
This report (November 2023) analyses pre- and post-survey data from community participants to assess how their knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of South Africa’s energy crisis evolved through engagement in the Energy Comms campaign. It focuses on understanding views on load-shedding causes, government plans like the Energy Action Plan and Just Transition, and community responses to energy challenges.
Energy Comms Intervention Workshops’ Quantitative Survey Report
This report explores community knowledge and perceptions of South Africa’s energy crisis.
Exploring Community Experiences of Government’s Plans to solve the Energy Crisis
The March 2024 baseline report outlines how community-based research to understand public experiences of South Africa’s energy crisis, perceptions of government policies like the Energy Action Plan, and awareness of the Just Energy Transition.