What is a just transition to Net Zero?
A ‘just transition’ means moving to a more sustainable economy in a way that’s fair to everyone. This doesn’t mean to stop the transition, but rather to consider very carefully how best to get there. Not acting, not engaging in the transition to Net Zero, is simply not a viable alternative – as it involves the untenable outcome of thousands of lives around the world greatly affected by the climate and nature emergencies. This, too, is immensely unfair. Change is necessary. Now, the only question is how to get there.
Who does the just transition prioritise and how?
The just transition seeks to centre the interests of those that are most affected by the low-carbon transition, including workers, vulnerable communities, suppliers of goods and services, specifically small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and consumers (see Figure 1). This approach strongly advocates the inclusion of these stakeholders in shaping the net zero transition so that no one is ‘left behind’. Successful just transition planning would involve these stakeholders, for example through ongoing participation processes and channels, including social forums, consultations and citizens’ assemblies.
Figure 1. Principal groups affected by the net zero transition and how they can be involved and supported through action to secure a just transition
Source: What is the just transition and what does it mean for climate action? (London School of Economics and Political Science, February 2024)
UK Government key documents
What is a just transition for environmental targets? (16 October 2023): Justice and human rights issues may arise from action to protect climate and environment. Issues can be ‘procedural’, where affected people have not had an adequate say in the process; or ‘distributive’, where costs and benefits of changes have not been fairly distributed. Failure to adequately consider both types of issues can exacerbate inequalities, affect support for action to address climate change and biodiversity loss, and lead to legal challenges.
Government climate policy: Economic impact (17 October 2024): Labour said in its 2024 election manifesto that the expansion of renewable energy would [include] a just transition [in] the implementation of policies… The term [‘just transition’] has also been expanded to refer to support for communities more generally that might be affected. The CCC [Climate Change Committee] argued the term has also been used to refer to the need to address wider inequalities across society. Further information on what might constitute a just transition is provided in the Parliamentary Office for Science and Technology briefing (see below, ‘What is a just transition…’).
Scottish Government key documents
Just Transition – A Fairer, Greener Scotland: Scottish Government response (7 September 2021): The Scottish Government’s initial response to the final report of the Just Transition Commission [setting out its] long-term vision for just transition and provides details on our National Just Transition Planning Framework. The Scottish Government’s National Just Transition Outcomes [should include] Citizens, communities and place: support affected regions by empowering and invigorating communities and strengthening local economies; Fair distribution of costs and benefits: address existing economic and social inequality by sharing the benefits of climate action widely, while ensuring … costs are distributed on the basis of ability to pay; Environmental protection and restoration: commit to act within our planetary boundaries while protecting and restoring our natural environment; Decarbonisation and efficiencies: contribute to resource efficient and sustainable economic approaches that actively encourage decarbonisation, support low-carbon investment and infrastructure, and avoid carbon ‘lock-in’; … and Preventing new inequalities from arising: address fuel poverty and child poverty in a manner consistent with Scotland’s statutory targets on each, while furthering wider equality and human rights across all protected characteristics.
Community Wealth Building and Land (Scottish Land Commission, 2023): Land has an important role to play in building a wellbeing economy that promotes inclusive economic growth, reduces inequality, supports climate action and a just transition, and empowers people and communities to bring about positive changes. How we collectively own and use land is key to achieving this fundamental economic transformation, and a community wealth building (CWB) approach aligned with the principles of the Scottish Land Rights and Responsibilities Statement offers a helpful framework for how to put this into practice. [This guidance document is] based on shared values and principles … including a place-based approach, socially just use of land, and flexibility to take a local approach.
Place Principle: Introduction (Scottish Government, 10 April 2019): The Scottish Government … have agreed to adopt the Place Principle … to encourage better collaboration and community involvement… Place is where people, location and resources combine to create a sense of identity and purpose [and it is] at the heart of addressing the needs and realising the full potential of communities… The principle [of Place] requests that all those [who are] responsible for … looking after assets in a place … work and plan together … with local communities, to improve the lives of people, support inclusive and sustainable economic growth and create more successful places… We must adopt a more common-sense approach that focuses on what is important: people and communities…