Just Transition: A whole-systems approach to decarbonisation

Abstract

Transition to a post-carbon economy implies changes that are both far-reaching and unprecedented. The notion that a decarbonization transition must encompass multiple forms of justice is gaining ground. In response, the concept of Just Transition has become ever more popularand confusion about its meaning ever greater. We argue in this paper that the term Just Transition needs a rigorous updating to develop its full conceptual power for the analysis and evaluation of the rapid and extensive energy transitions already underway. After reviewing the different uses of Just Transition in practice and scholarship, we propose that the term be used as an analytical concept for an ongoing process of transition. The Just Transition concept can provide an integrated, whole-system perspective on justice (procedural, distributive, recognition, and restorative) that can help in identifying systemic solutions to address environmental and socio-economic concerns. This would differ from reductionist approaches that derive from legacy silo-sectoral or technologically driven approaches; these too often overlook negative side-effects and wider justice implications of reorganizing economic practice. An examination of COVID-19 pandemic responses illustrates our operationalization of the Just Transition concept, highlighting the importance of designing whole-system policies that are equitable, as well as the pitfalls of pursuing a narrow sectoral approach. Taking seriously the implications of complex systems with hard-to-predict effects also has concrete implications for policy interventions at all levels of governance. In particular, we highlight the importance of attending to multiple social inequalities for ensuring the resilience of wholesystem decarbonization in the face of instability, unpredictability, and unprecedented change. Key policy insights:. The transition to net-zero will be neither sustainable nor credible if it creates or worsens social inequalities; a backlash is likely if the transition is not perceived to be just. . Pathways forward may only emerge through observation, experimentation, and experience. . A range of policy tools exist to address Just Transition concerns. These include addressing social and environmental aspects of economic policy; making sure that interventions are adapted to local contexts; building democratic engagement platforms; and open and transparent communication. . Job creation does not guarantee just outcomes, as justice goes beyond employment conditions.

Climate Crisis and Social Protection - From Worker Protection to Post-growth Transformation?

“…While in current academic debates, we can observe attempts to bring the JT approach in dialogue – or even to merge it – with more fundamentally transformative approaches such as post-growth, or eco-feminism (Heffron and McCauley, 2018; García-García et al ., 2020), the main JT route is still focused on the Global North, and not aiming at fundamental societal change. However, we can observe a shift in the literature that goes from seeing social justice as a necessary add-on to green economic reforms to conceptualising “societal justice as the core to achieving a sustainable energy transition” (Abram et al , 2022: 1036), which points towards a more ‘holistic view of society’ (Heffron and McCauley, 2018: 4). In the academic literature on JT, it is still noticeable that the JT approach is a bottom-up approach developed from trade unions.…”

“…The need to reconcile ecological and employment demands became urgent. The International Trade Union Conference, the International Labour Organisation (ILO), and the UN Environment Programme later engaged in formulating the JT approach which included an emphasis on "procedural fairness, promoting dialogue and engagement with workers and communities beyond the narrow questions of green jobs or pension schemes" (Abram et al, 2022(Abram et al, : 1035. Stepwise, the approach experienced international diffusion and was broadly integrated in trade unions' and international organisations' programmes (Silverman, 2004).…”

“…change. However, we can observe a shift in the literature that goes from seeing social justice as a necessary add-on to green economic reforms to conceptualising "societal justice as the core to achieving a sustainable energy transition" (Abram et al, 2022(Abram et al, : 1036, which points towards a more 'holistic view of society' (Heffron and McCauley, 2018: 4). In the academic literature on JT, it is still noticeable that the JT approach is a bottom-up approach developed from trade unions.…”

Politics, voice and just transition: who has a say in climate change decision making, and who does not

“…During that time, the wider diffusion of the concept, its evolution within the labour movement, and its encounters with the environmental justice movement led to more extensive conceptions of justice being integrated into the just transition framework. Consequently, that framework came to include dimensions of procedural, recognition and restorative justice (McCauley and Heffron, 2018;Abram et al, 2022). Additionally, just transition began to incorporate wider concerns about the potential impacts of environmental and post-carbon transitions beyond those directly affecting workers.…”

Guest Editorial: Technology for Social Good

“…These just transitions are critical to gain wider acceptance by multiple stakeholders, which requires some complexity in modeling-and the theoretical underpinnings of systems dynamics can incorporate multiple perspectives and stakeholders. A systems approach (theory) for just transitions to mitigate climate change through decarbonization is just one example (e.g., [1]); these just transition theories require economic, policy, environmental, and technologists to work together.…”