COPDate: Increasing International Cooperation and Investment for a Just Transition

At this year’s COP in Dubai, the ILO headed the Just Transition Pavilion for ambitious climate action by ensuring a fair transition for everyone. The organization will oversee the Just Transition Pavilion and provide ongoing support to stakeholders during the negotiations, emphasizing the importance of the Just Transition Work Program.

The Just Transition Pavilion is a convening space for events, meetings and knowledge sharing around just transition and climate action in cooperation with the UNFCCC, International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and International Organisation of Employers (IOE).

A pavilion dedicated to Just Transition reflects the need of the hour: mitigation of emissions through the adoption of renewable energy, phasing out fossil fuels. In his speech at COP28, Antonio Guterres stated,

“We cannot save a burning planet with a fire hose of fossil fuels. The 1.5-degree limit is only possible if we ultimately stop burning all fossil fuels. Not reduce. Not abate.”

Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary General.

Going beyond the basics, the proposal for a just transition aims to address the inherent injustice caused by the dual inequality resulting from climate change. This inequality arises from the fact that developed nations, despite being primarily responsible for the adverse effects of climate change, are the least affected. Conversely, the countries with the least responsibility for climate change suffer the most severe consequences.

Moreover, trade-related policies implemented by developed economies can impede market access, trade revenues, and the domestic resource mobilization of developing countries. Restrictive trade rules and policies, such as limiting access to essential technology, can hinder the transition of developing nations from fossil-intensive energy systems to low-carbon industrialization.

It’s important to note that the energy transition itself requires a substantial investment—approximately 1.5 times the current global GDP until 2050—in renewable energy generation, energy efficiency, and energy infrastructure.

However, the concept of a just transition extends beyond the energy sector. Given the integral role of fossil fuels in the global economy and the extensive involvement of various sectors and communities in the carbon value chain, decarbonization necessitates a systemic transformation of the entire economy and society. A just transition emphasizes the need to maximize co-benefits while minimizing trade-offs between environmental, social, and developmental objectives, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Furthermore, the preamble of the Paris Agreement underscores the imperative of a just transition for the workforce, emphasizing the creation of decent work and quality. It is encouraging to see the ongoing discussions on Just Transition at this year’s COP, signalling the urgency for both developed and developing countries to fight to phase out fossil fuels.

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