IMPLEMENTING JUST TRANSITION AFTER COP24

The document argues that for climate transitions to be successful and socially acceptable, they must be both fast and fair. It emphasizes that Just Transition should be integrated into NDCs and national planning through participatory social dialogue and multi-scalar action. The brief highlights the importance of the Silesia Declaration and the role of the ILO in providing frameworks for decent work. It specifically identifies the Central and Eastern European (CEE) region as requiring greater support due to high fossil fuel dependence. Key recommendations include pre-emptive planning, skills development, and the use of targeted social protection tools like pension guarantees and retraining. The author calls for more empirical research, including quantitative evidence of net job gains, to inform decision-makers.

• Transitions must be rapid and equitable to secure the social approval necessary to meet Paris Agreement targets, as failure to engage the workforce and communities may lead to resistance that slows the pace of change.
• The Silesia Declaration is a key milestone indicating that workers will not be sacrificed for emission cuts and that the low-carbon economy should be inclusive, though it remains a high-level document requiring operationalisation.
• Just Transition should be integrated into Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and national long-term strategies, serving as an enabling mechanism for socially sound implementation and securing support.
• Effective interventions require a multi-scalar, participatory approach involving social dialogue between the state, local communities, and trade unions, with the UNFCCC serving as a forum for sharing best practices.
• The Central and Eastern European (CEE) region is identified as particularly vulnerable and under-researched due to its relative poverty and high dependence on fossil fuels, specifically coal.
• Policy priorities for a Just Transition include up-skilling and reskilling the workforce, as well as providing social protection tools such as targeted pensions, job guarantees, cash transfers, and community grants.
• There is a critical need for more empirical and quantitative research to inform governments, including evidence of net job gains, such as the ILO's estimate of 18 million potential jobs in energy efficient sectors.

APA

Jenkins, K. E. H. (2019). IMPLEMENTING JUST TRANSITION AFTER COP24. Climate Strategies. https://climatestrategies.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Implementing-Just-Transition-after-COP24_FINAL.pdf

Chicago

Jenkins, Kirsten E H. IMPLEMENTING JUST TRANSITION AFTER COP24. Climate Strategies, 2019. https://climatestrategies.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Implementing-Just-Transition-after-COP24_FINAL.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Jenkins |first1=Kirsten E H |title=IMPLEMENTING JUST TRANSITION AFTER COP24 |publisher=Climate Strategies |date=January 2019 |url=https://climatestrategies.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Implementing-Just-Transition-after-COP24_FINAL.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{jenkins2019implementing, author = {Jenkins, Kirsten E H}, title = {{IMPLEMENTING JUST TRANSITION AFTER COP24}}, institution = {Climate Strategies}, year = {2019}, month = jan, url = {https://climatestrategies.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Implementing-Just-Transition-after-COP24_FINAL.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }