Chile: Incorporating a Just Transition into Chile’s Nationally Determined Contribution

This case study examines how Chile integrated a 'social pillar' and just transition criteria into its updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) submitted in April 2020. It details the country's goals for carbon neutrality and the phase-out of coal-fired power plants, while highlighting the governance structures and social challenges associated with ensuring an equitable transition for workers and vulnerable communities.

• Chile's updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), submitted in April 2020, introduces a cross-cutting "social pillar" that integrates just transition and sustainable development criteria into the design, implementation, and monitoring of climate measures. This pillar includes eight criteria to minimize negative impacts on vulnerable groups and ensure equal opportunities, specifically calling for an analysis of the "challenges and needs of the most vulnerable" regarding the decarbonization of the power matrix.
• Chile aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, with a specific commitment to close all 28 of its coal-fired power plants by 2040. As of November 2020, six plants announced closures ahead of schedule. These closures are estimated to result in 4,400 direct job losses and impact an additional 9,500 people indirectly.
• The government launched a process in June 2020 to develop a "Strategy for Just Transition" by 2021. This strategy utilizes a three-tier governance structure consisting of a decision-making inter-ministerial committee, an executive committee (including government, companies, trade unions, and community representatives), and a local committee tasked with creating action plans for communities affected by coal plant closures.
• Despite the policy framework, labor unions have expressed concerns regarding the government's legitimacy and the exclusion of unions from the NDC enhancement process. These concerns stem from the official response to widespread social protests against economic inequality that began in October 2019.

APA

World Resources Institute (2021). Chile: Incorporating a Just Transition into Chile’s Nationally Determined Contribution. https://www.wri.org/snapshots/chile-incorporating-just-transition-chiles-nationally-determined-contribution

Chicago

World Resources Institute. Chile: Incorporating a Just Transition into Chile’s Nationally Determined Contribution. 2021. https://www.wri.org/snapshots/chile-incorporating-just-transition-chiles-nationally-determined-contribution.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Resources Institute |title=Chile: Incorporating a Just Transition into Chile’s Nationally Determined Contribution |date=1 April 2021 |url=https://www.wri.org/snapshots/chile-incorporating-just-transition-chiles-nationally-determined-contribution |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldresourcesinstitute2021chile, author = {{World Resources Institute}}, title = {{Chile: Incorporating a Just Transition into Chile’s Nationally Determined Contribution}}, institution = {World Resources Institute}, year = {2021}, month = apr, url = {https://www.wri.org/snapshots/chile-incorporating-just-transition-chiles-nationally-determined-contribution}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }