Today there is a roundtable session to encourage dialogue between developing nations, contributing countries, United Nations entities, financial institutions, the private sector and philanthropies. We consider some of the issues associated with just transitions. (Today's other roundtable discussions are covered elsewhere: food security is under adaptation and agriculture and innovative finance is under finance).
Creator God, will you teach us your justice? May our eyes see what you see and our ears hear what you hear. May our voices speak for our disadvantaged neighbours and may our hands do your just works. May we act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with you.
Creator God, worldwide we see the impacts of climate change on the lives of individuals, communities and countries, and some of us have experienced the impacts first hand. We know that as a global community we must drastically reduce our carbon emissions but we also know that to do this will severely interrupt the financial systems of many countries and impact the livelihoods of some of our most vulnerable neighbours.
As these issues are discussed today at COP27, we ask that just and viable solutions will be found to support the vulnerable whilst we transition to cleaner economies. We ask that frameworks will be established to provide new jobs and reskilling where required, that disadvantaged communities will be given access to affordable and secure energy and energy-efficient housing. And we ask that robust financial and technical assistance will be found for developing countries that are highly dependent on fossil fuels or highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
Micah 6: 6-8 (NIV)
With what shall I come before the LORD and bow down before the exalted God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
Isaiah 1: 16-20 (NIV)
Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong. Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow. “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land; but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.
We are all affected by climate change differently depending on where we live and how well resourced we are (nationally and individually).
Mitigating against climate change means reducing our greenhouse gas emissions. This inevitably requires that we make changes to the way we live and the way we operate our economies.
Adapting to the irreversible impacts of climate change also requires that we change the way we live and the way we operate our economies.
It is generally accepted that the world has to transition quickly to an economic model where development is based on low-greenhouse gas emission and climate-resilient technologies.
However, this transition must be managed in a way that does not disadvantage developing countries with economies that are heavily reliant on high-greenhouse gas emission technologies and which are often particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change.
Closer to home, there are still many countries in the global north employing a significant number of people in carbon-polluting sectors who must also find just ways of transitioning to carbon-clean sectors. This is not just an issue for the global south.
At COP24 the vulnerability of labour markets in carbon-intensive sectors was recognised and at COP25 the importance of involving women and men equally was recognised. At last year's COP26 more than 30 nations signed the Glasgow Just Transition Declaration, reemphasizing the need to ensure that no worker or community is left behind.
In 2015 The International Labour Organisation (ILO) made practical recommendations for how countries can achieve a just transition and in 2019 the ILO joined with the United Nations Climate Action Summit to launch the Climate Action for Jobs initiative to build a roadmap placing people’s jobs and well-being at the center of the transition.
At COP26 the US, UK, France, Germany and EU launched an $8.5bn fund under the Just Energy Transition Partnerships (JETPs) model to help fund an “equitable, inclusive energy transition” in South Africa. Similar partnerships have been in development since then with programs for India, Indonesia, Vietnam and Senegal.
Some governments, business, trade unions and civil society actors have been leading the way in shaping transition solutions e.g. South Africa has incorporated the principles in its climate action plan (Nationally Determined Contribution or NDC); Canda has launched a Taskforce on the Just Transition for Canadian Coal-Power Workers and Communities and the Just Transition Mechanism is a key part of the EU Green Deal.
The two videos below help explain what Just Transitions can look like for different communities.
Integrating the principles of just transition into climate transition plans in all sectors (food and water security, energy access, housing, transportation, health...).
Establishing platforms that facilitate engagement about just transition between policymakers, business leaders and financial authorities on the one hand and stakeholders (workers and communities) on the other.
Supporting individuals, industry and countries appropriately during the transition to low-emission economies:
Individuals: re-skilling of those at risk of losing their livelihood.
Communities: access to clean, affordable and secure energy and energy-efficient housing for disadvantaged communities.
Carbon-intensive industry: support through the transition to low-carbon technologies including fiscal policies that attract investment.
Developing countries that are highly dependent on fossil fuel or highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change: provision of financial and technical assistance.
COP27 Just Transition roundtable session details from which much of the information on this page was taken.
The just transition - an article by Green Peace that helps explain just transition.
