Towards a Just Transition: Integrating Fair Share, Equity and Justice into Climate Transition Plans

In this report, led by PI Dr Yixian Sun, Race to Zero explore the principles of fair share, equity and justice and their role in the green transition. The full report is available here

Foreword

The net zero transition will test once again how society copes with significant change. Like those before, it will reorganise economies and reshape ways of living, offering us a unique chance to do things differently. 5 It is already visible in the development of new energy sources, the rise of new industries and the restructuring of supply chains. These changes may determine where jobs will be created and how regions may adapt to avoid major disruption. Managed well, this transition can help build a future that is sustainable and prosperous. Managed poorly, it will slow down social economic development across the world.

That is why the principle of a well planned and managed transition has moved from the margins to the centre of climate policy. It recognises that the net zero transition may bring significant disruption and that disruption would not be felt equally. Without good planning and execution, the transition could foster avoidable backlash, undermining the very progress it aims to achieve.