Are global efforts coordinated for a Just Transition? A review of civil society, financial, government, and academic Just Transition frameworks

Abstract

Considering the rapid pace of phasing out fossil fuels from the economy, Just Transitions are an essential component of any energy strategy to build acceptance and reconciliation from fossil fuel damages. However, the range of competing visions that define a “Just Transition” complicates Just Transition policymaking and evaluation. With increased application of Just Transition frameworks, academic groups should consider the role of government, financial institution, and civil society frameworks for Just Transition policies. This analysis reviews 75 non-academic Just Transition documents published by non-governmental organizations, governmental figures (intergovernmental, national, sub-national, and governmental organizations), multilateral institutions, development banks, think-tanks, and private enterprises. Just Transition frameworks are highly varied in their scope and design, demonstrating the diversity surrounding the meaning behind “Just Transition” across stakeholders. Proposed economic and social policies vary across non-academic Just Transition frameworks, particularly between types of organizations/actors. Many critical issues raised by policymakers and non-governmental organizations are not found in conceptual reviews of academic Just Transition frameworks– including prominent focus areas on circular economy, waste and water management, human rights, and decolonization strategies. Furthermore, the broader Just Transitions literature reviewed expands greatly upon topics pertaining to low-carbon transitions in Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa, including rights for informal workers in fossil fuel industries and small and medium-sized enterprises, that are often understudied in academic reviews. Future research studies should co-evolve local, indigenous, civil society, and private sector knowledge on Just Transitions to build stronger context-specific research contributions that ensure increased participation in the transition to a low-carbon society.