Joined Up Sustainable Transition (JUST): Fossil Fuel Generators

The methodology establishes a framework for the 'integrated replacement' of fossil-fuel generators (such as diesel or natural gas gensets and mini-grids) with greenfield renewable energy systems (RES), including solar PV, wind, and hydro. It mandates the permanent decommissioning of the baseline system and the implementation of a Just Transition Plan to protect affected workers and consumers. Emission reductions are calculated by comparing the RES output against a baseline of historical or default fossil fuel emissions, adjusted downward over time via a Downward Adjustment Factor (DAF) to align with national Net Zero trajectories. The framework includes detailed requirements for demonstrating additionality, accounting for embodied emissions from RES manufacturing, and managing reversal risks if the RES fails. A voluntary annex also allows for the quantification of avoided black carbon and PM2.5 emissions.

• The methodology requires an 'Integrated Replacement' where the commissioning of a new renewable energy system is causally and contractually linked to the 'accelerated and permanent decommissioning' of an existing fossil-fuel generator.
• To ensure the transition is fair, developers must implement a Just Transition Plan tailored to the activity's impact level, categorized into three tiers: Minimal Impact (< 1 FTE equivalent), Moderate Impact (1-10 FTE), and Significant Impact (> 10 FTE).
• Baseline emissions are determined using a tiered approach: Tier 1 uses site-specific historical data from 12-36 months, while Tier 2 uses conservative standardized defaults for contexts where data is unavailable, such as in LDCs or SIDS.
• To prevent rewarding historical inefficiency, the methodology applies an 'Ambitious Performance Check' where the baseline emission factor is capped at the lower of the historical value or the default value.
• Baseline emissions are adjusted annually using a Downward Adjustment Factor (DAF) to ensure the project contributes to the host country's long-term climate goals and Net Zero trajectories.
• Additionality is deemed for micro-scale or small-scale activities located in Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Small Island Developing States (SIDS), or recognized Vulnerable Regions of Lower-Middle-Income countries via a 'Positive List'.
• The methodology mandates the accounting of 'embodied emissions' from the cradle-to-gate manufacturing of RES and battery energy storage systems (BESS), which are amortized over the first crediting period.
• To mitigate reversal risks—where consumers might revert to fossil fuels if the RES fails—developers must implement an Operation and Maintenance (O&M) plan and a component replacement strategy.
• A voluntary annex provides a method to quantify the avoidance of black carbon (BC) and PM2.5, using a conservative Global Warming Potential (GWP) of 900 tCO2e per tonne of BC over a 20-year horizon.

APA

Sustainable Energy for All (2026). Joined Up Sustainable Transition (JUST): Fossil Fuel Generators. https://www.seforall.org/system/files/2026-03/460_v1.0_PAA-M400-06_JUST-Fossil-Fuel-Generator.pdf

Chicago

Sustainable Energy for All. Joined Up Sustainable Transition (JUST): Fossil Fuel Generators. 2026. https://www.seforall.org/system/files/2026-03/460_v1.0_PAA-M400-06_JUST-Fossil-Fuel-Generator.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Sustainable Energy for All |title=Joined Up Sustainable Transition (JUST): Fossil Fuel Generators |date=24 March 2026 |url=https://www.seforall.org/system/files/2026-03/460_v1.0_PAA-M400-06_JUST-Fossil-Fuel-Generator.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{sustainableenergyforall2026joined, author = {{Sustainable Energy for All}}, title = {{Joined Up Sustainable Transition (JUST): Fossil Fuel Generators}}, institution = {Sustainable Energy for All}, year = {2026}, month = mar, url = {https://www.seforall.org/system/files/2026-03/460_v1.0_PAA-M400-06_JUST-Fossil-Fuel-Generator.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }