Joint statement on UNFCCC work programme on just transition pathways

A coalition of organizations representing business and financial institutions urges UNFCCC Parties at COP28 to operationalize the work programme on just transition pathways. The signatories argue that systemic inequalities pose a business risk and call for a framework based on social dialogue, labour rights, and 1.5°C-aligned pathways. They specifically recommend enhancing international cooperation and finance for the Global South, supporting SMEs, and utilizing ILO Guidelines as a policymaking reference.

• The signatories argue that businesses and financial institutions have a unique role in the just transition and a strong business case for supporting it, as systemic inequalities exacerbated by climate action constitute a business risk that can impact operating environments, supply chain resilience, social license, and access to capital.
• The document recommends that the UNFCCC work programme be based on meaningful social dialogue with workers' and employers' representatives and transparent stakeholder participation. It should promote decent work, labour rights, and human rights across business operations and supply chains.
• The coalition calls for the development of 1.5°C-aligned, equitable pathways supported by consistent policies to mobilize investment and assist communities transitioning from fossil fuels to clean energy. They suggest the ILO Guidelines for a just transition serve as the central reference and that these pathways inform the strengthening of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) by 2025.
• The statement emphasizes the need for international cooperation to support the Global South through finance, technology, and capacity-building. This includes utilizing the global climate finance architecture for grants, funds, blended finance, and the de-risking of low-carbon investments in developing countries.
• The recommendations include creating an enabling environment for sustainable enterprises, specifically focusing on the development of green skills and ensuring small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are not excluded from the transition to a net-zero economy.

APA

Whittaker, M. (2023). Joint statement on UNFCCC work programme on just transition pathways. We Mean Business Coalition. https://www.wemeanbusinesscoalition.org/blog/joint-statement-on-unfccc-work-programme-on-just-transition-pathways/

Chicago

Whittaker, Mary. Joint statement on UNFCCC work programme on just transition pathways. We Mean Business Coalition, 2023. https://www.wemeanbusinesscoalition.org/blog/joint-statement-on-unfccc-work-programme-on-just-transition-pathways/.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |last1=Whittaker |first1=Mary |title=Joint statement on UNFCCC work programme on just transition pathways |publisher=We Mean Business Coalition |date=21 November 2023 |url=https://www.wemeanbusinesscoalition.org/blog/joint-statement-on-unfccc-work-programme-on-just-transition-pathways/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{whittaker2023joint, author = {Whittaker, Mary}, title = {{Joint statement on UNFCCC work programme on just transition pathways}}, publisher = {We Mean Business Coalition}, year = {2023}, month = nov, url = {https://www.wemeanbusinesscoalition.org/blog/joint-statement-on-unfccc-work-programme-on-just-transition-pathways/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }