Just Transition

The Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has identified 1.47 billion jobs globally in sectors critical to climate stability. The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has estimated that action to meet the Paris Agreement will create 24 million jobs in clean energy generation, electric vehicles and energy efficiency.

In the move towards this future there will be disruption. Australia is already seeing it with ageing coal-fired power stations closing in the next two to three decades. This will see up to 8,500 jobs lost and result in major structural adjustment challenges for both the workers who have lost their jobs, but also the communities that have come to depend on the coal energy industry.

Those communities bearing the impact of low-carbon policies need a fair and socially equitable transition — a ‘just transition’. The concept of a just transition holds immense potential for affected communities, trade unions, businesses and governments to develop and implement carefully planned policies to support those directly impacted by low-carbon policies.

However, if trade unions, businesses and Governments do not engage in strong multilateral cooperation, or if businesses and governments adopt short-term, fragmented and reactive solutions to respond to this challenge, we will lose the trust and support of the communities where businesses and governments operate. Thus, we need to adequately plan for, coordinate and invest in a transition that will support businesses and communities and ensure that we do not see the emergence of enclaves of stranded workers, stranded communities or stranded assets.

Our discussion paper on planning for a Just Transition can be accessed here.