Incorporating Just Transition Strategies in Developing Country Nationally Determined Contributions

Key findings of this paper include:

• There is a lack of consensus around the meaning and implications of the just transition concept, specifically in the developing country context, that is creating barrier to its understanding, acceptance, and introduction into policy.
• There is a pervading misconception that the just transition is primarily relevant for developed countries. Developing countries are, thus far, failing to incorporate just transition principles in their NDCs/climate plans and other domestic strategies.
• There is a lack of practical information on how just transition principles can be applied in developing countries.
• Developing countries are often challenged by high unemployment and, as a result, labour market management is directed at job creation (rather than transformation) and skills development, reducing capacity to focus on green job creation.
• Informal sectors of the economy tend to account for a significant proportion of developing country labour markets, but they are largely absent from just transition dialogues.
• Meaningful and informed participation of stakeholders is essential to the development of just transition strategies: developing countries often suffer from lack of engagement of key stakeholders like workers, employers, and civil society in the development of just transition strategies. In some cases, limited capacities obstruct effective stakeholder engagement in developing countries.
• Responsibility for climate change policies and strategies are spread across government departments that frequently do not talk to each other.
• There is no one-size-fits-all approach. Models for introducing just transition principles need to be responsive to particular domestic circumstances.