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This briefing by the Stockholm Environment Institute examines the necessity of a just transition for Latin American economies reliant on fossil fuel extraction. The authors argue that delaying the shift toward sustainable, low-carbon pathways increases economic vulnerability, while warning that the transition to renewable energy technologies creates new risks associated with the increased extraction of critical minerals.

This briefing from the Stockholm Environment Institute examines the structural decline of the coal mining sector in Colombia, using the 2020 crisis and the surrender of mining titles by Prodeco as evidence of the challenges facing a just transition toward a decarbonized economy.

The NDC Update Report 2021, based on a survey of 97 policy makers and experts across 92 countries, evaluates progress on Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) planning. While 95% of respondents report strengthened greenhouse gas emissions targets and improved sector-level grounding, the report concludes that collective ambition remains insufficient, progress is too slow, and financial barriers continue to hinder implementation. It highlights a significant gap in long-term strategies (LTSs), with only 17% of Parties having communicated one to the UNFCCC as of October 2021. The report emphasizes the critical role of subnational governments, noting that 80% of respondents view them as important for NDC implementation, and calls for a shift from narratives of 'green recovery' to concrete actions and the management of trade-offs to ensure a just transition.

This working paper by the Green Economy Coalition (GEC) outlines a structural agenda for a green economic recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic. It distinguishes between short-term stimulus and long-term structural reforms, providing a nested framework of policy measures and a set of prioritisation criteria to help governments transition from immediate crisis management to systemic socio-ecological transformation.

This research paper argues that for Africa to achieve a 'just transition' to a lower carbon economy, it must move from being a consumer to a producer of green technologies. The author emphasizes the need for strategic industrial policy, the utilization of the AfCFTA to create regional value chains, and the preservation of policy space against premature trade liberalization and 'green-washed protectionism' from developed nations.

The Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE) outlines five key lessons from the Covid-19 pandemic to guide government action on climate change and environmental health. The statement advocates for a shift from risk management to hazard prevention, the application of the precautionary principle in legislation, and an emergency-level response to the climate crisis to protect human health.

This research paper, published by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA), outlines a proposed African climate finance agenda for the COP26 summit. Based on stakeholder dialogues conducted between April and October 2021, the document identifies critical gaps in the quantum and quality of climate finance reaching Africa, emphasizing the need for increased adaptation funding, streamlined access to the Green Climate Fund (GCF), and the creation of national enabling environments to attract private investment.

The Life After Coal campaign, consisting of groundWork, Earthlife Africa, and the Centre for Environmental Rights, issued a statement calling on South Africa to meet the lower bound of its updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) target range by accelerating the coal phase-out and renewable energy expansion. The campaign urges the South African government to lead developing nations at COP26 in demanding increased financial support from wealthy nations for adaptation and loss and damage.

The Forum on Trade, Environment, & the SDGs argues that the lack of a formal, ministerial-level international agenda for climate and trade leads to policy silos and trade tensions. The author proposes the creation of a Trade Ministers’ Coalition for Cooperation on Climate Action to align global trade flows with the Paris Agreement and ensure a just transition.

This report, commissioned by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) for the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), examines how just transition policies can address employment and social justice challenges in developing countries and emerging economies during the shift to an ecologically sustainable economy.

This research paper analyzes the first 29 long-term low greenhouse gas (GHG) emission development strategies (LTSs) submitted to the UNFCCC by June 2021. The authors identify common trends in midcentury targets, mitigation modeling, sectoral transitions, and governance frameworks, noting a significant shift toward net-zero goals and a broader focus on societal transformation beyond simple mitigation modeling.

This report by the Climate Bonds Initiative examines how green and transition bonds can facilitate South Africa's shift from a coal-dependent energy system to a low-carbon economy. It analyzes the specific challenges of the South African market, the roles of major emitters like Eskom and Sasol, and provides frameworks for credible transition finance to avoid greenwashing.

This political statement by Friends of the Earth International advocates for a 'Renewable Energy Plan for a Just Recovery' to make Africa 100% independent in renewable energy by 2050. The plan seeks to address energy poverty, the impacts of climate change, and the economic fallout of the Covid-19 pandemic through community-led energy systems and a transition away from fossil fuels.

The 'Just Recovery Renewable Energy Plan for Africa' by Friends of the Earth Africa proposes a transition to a 100% renewable energy independent continent by 2050. Based on modelling by Dr. Sven Teske, the plan aims to eliminate energy poverty and address the dual crises of climate change and Covid-19 through a people-centred, democratic energy system that prioritises social justice and gender equity over corporate profit.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) provided written comments on the Draft National Mine Closure Strategy 2021, published by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE). While supporting the initiative to increase certainty in mine closure and rehabilitation, the CER argues that the strategy must better protect mining-affected communities, ensure meaningful public participation from the pre-feasibility stage, and align strictly with existing environmental legislation like the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA).

This briefing by RMI proposes the creation of a Clean Transition Financing Program via the Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office (LPO) to mitigate the financial burdens on ratepayers and frontline energy communities during the United States' transition to a clean economy.

This case study by the Stockholm Environment Institute examines the long-term decline of the United Kingdom's steel industry from the 1970s to 2020. It analyzes the socio-economic and environmental impacts of this decline, the failure of generic regional development policies, and the challenges of transitioning workers from high-status industrial roles to new economic activities. The document aims to provide lessons for current and future decarbonization transitions in carbon-intensive regional economies.

This case study by the Stockholm Environment Institute examines the closure of the Broken Hill Proprietary Company (BHP) steelworks in Newcastle, Australia, analyzing the transition from a carbon-intensive industrial economy to a diversified regional economy. It highlights the role of long-term planning, cooperative labor-industry relations, and community leadership in mitigating social and economic shocks, while noting failures in environmental remediation funding and the quality of new employment.

This research paper by the World Resources Institute analyzes the first 29 long-term climate strategies submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) as of June 2021. It identifies common trends, sectoral transformations, and areas where further support is needed for countries to develop and implement these strategies to meet Paris Agreement goals.

This briefing by Zero Carbon Analytics examines how climate action is becoming more inclusive and effective by integrating intersectional social justice movements. Through various case studies, it illustrates collaborations between climate activists and groups fighting for debt cancellation, vaccine equity, homeless rights, racial and indigenous justice, gender equality, and fair labor transitions.