Environment Shortlist

This project follows the photographer’s journey through coal towns in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. Hundreds of thousands of people work in the coal industry, but they face an uncertain future as South Africa is pressured to close down the coal-fired power stations that provide most of the electricity in the country. A green transition is encouraged by the international community, and the Just Energy Transition Investment Plan – funded primarily by the United Kingdom, the United States and the European Union – has pledged about US$8.5 billion to South Africa for phasing out these power stations. However, it is estimated that about US$250 billion is needed over the next decades to finance South Africa’s transition from coal.

A Swedish native but has worked in South Africa since 1994 and based in South Africa since 2000. I do photojournalistic work for magazines, contributor to Getty Images, I have published three photographic books and done many exhibitions.