JUST TRANSITIONS

This article is part of a short series of three reflections exploring what are just transitions, in a world of more rapid and complex change than ever before, and where the consequences of change can create both opportunities and risks.

These articles were written as part of the project “Accelerating Cities’ Just Transitions through National Platforms”, funded by Porticus in 2023-2024, in which Atelier itd, Dark Matter Labs, Viable Cities and Climate KIC collaborated.

Authors: Nayla Saniour, Marcial Silva, Irene Ezquerra, Paula Beltrán de Heredia
Editing: Caren Camiscia

JUST TRANSITIONS

Authors: Nayla Saniour, Marcial Silva, Irene Ezquerra, Paula Beltrán de Heredia
Editing: Caren Camiscia

Part 3 of 3

HOW COULD TRANSITIONS BE MORE JUST?

The concept of justice is a very old philosophical and political concept that has been defined differently throughout history and in different cultures. Therefore, there is no single way to understand it. There are different ethical theories and legal traditions to interpret what is considered a just and equitable society (Wang & Lo, 2021).

The idea of justice is closely related to that of equity, which is based on a notion of diversity: it recognizes that people and communities have diverse interests and needs that cannot be homogenized. Mechanisms need to be in place to ensure that transitions to sustainability are responsive to this diversity. Within this framework, work on just transitions should lead us to correct structural inequalities in the system, to include diversity and to promote participation. In short, just transitions should always be linked to achieving rights and opportunities (Muñoz-Cabré & Vega-Araujo, 2022, Finley-Brook & Holloman, 2016).

That said, we will try to offer here a definition of just transitions with an expanded point of view:

A just transition is a comprehensive and equitable approach to transforming economies and social structures from models that are harmful to the environment and to people to sustainable and socially inclusive models that take into account the needs and well-being of people, especially vulnerable groups.

We believe that a just transition contributes to the following objectives:

Recognize, address and prevent the deepening of existing inequalities in transition processes.
Mitigate new inequalities that may arise and support affected people and communities when negative impacts occur.
Strengthen the capacity of communities to manage, adapt to, and capitalize on transition processes and opportunities to become active agents of change.

What principles are just transitions based on?

In the context of transitions, those working on climate, environmental, and energy justice often refer to a set of complementary principles that characterize a transition as just (Dalabajan et al., 2022):

Recognition-based justice: This requires recognizing and addressing the rights, concerns and injustices experienced by affected social groups, especially when they are in situations of vulnerability and marginalization, valuing the diverse needs, experiences, capacities and knowledge of individuals and groups. Key question: Who is affected and how?
Procedural justice: This requires that all people, including social groups in situations of vulnerability and marginalization, are able to participate meaningfully in decisions that may affect them, including the right to free, prior and informed consent, freedom of association, the right to organize and protest, among others. Key question: Who should participate so that everyone’s voice is heard and valued, and how?
Distributive justice: This requires that in the distribution of costs and benefits, social groups in situations of vulnerability and marginalization should not bear a disproportionate burden, and that all segments of the population should be able to benefit equally from the opportunities created. Key question: Who benefits and who bears the costs?
Restorative justice: This requires to repair harm done and to address the sense of injustice resulting from the loss and pain caused by the change. It is often associated with compensation, restitution, but also with repairing relationships that may have been damaged. Key question: How can the past injustice be repaired and the damage done be compensated?

WHAT IS A JUST TRANSITION?	WHAT IS NOT A JUST TRANSITION?
An approach It is an approach, a perspective, a way of looking at things, approaching a problem, or carrying out tasks (e.g., gender approach, human rights approach).	A tool It is not a single fixed tool, technique or methodology. It is not an add-on to a project, measure or policy that does not affect the fundamentals of the project.
A balanced multilateral process It is a set of decisions and changes that balance social, environmental and economic needs and interests.	A unilateral or partial process It is not simply a transition from fossil fuels to clean energy, from one technology to another, or from one form of organization to another, nor is it focused exclusively on economic and employment opportunities, nor is it focused exclusively on social compensation or environmental protection.
An equitable and inclusive process It is a process that intentionally addresses power imbalances and inequalities in a cross-cutting way. It aims to integrate, build bridges and avoid exclusion, taking into account the need to “do no significant harm” and “leave no one behind”.	A fragmented and isolated process It is not a fragmented and isolated process that hinders the ability to address inequalities and imbalances in a systemic way and to equitably integrate diverse needs and voices into the process.

Bibliography

Dalabajan, D., et al. (2022). Towards a Just Energy Transition: Implications for communities in lower- and middle-income countries. Oxfam.

Wang, X., y Lo, K. (2021). «Just transition: A conceptual review». Energy Research & Social Science 82. 102291.

Finley-Brook, M., & Holloman, E. (2016). Empowering Energy Justice. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 13(9), 926.

Muñoz Cabré, M., & Vega-Araújo, J. (2022). Considerations for a just and equitable energy transition. Stockholm+50 background paper series. Stockholm Environment Institute.

Part 3 of 3

HOW COULD TRANSITIONS BE MORE JUST?

That said, we will try to offer here a definition of just transitions with an expanded point of view:

We believe that a just transition contributes to the following objectives:

Recognize, address and prevent the deepening of existing inequalities in transition processes.
Mitigate new inequalities that may arise and support affected people and communities when negative impacts occur.
Strengthen the capacity of communities to manage, adapt to, and capitalize on transition processes and opportunities to become active agents of change.

That said, we will try to offer here a definition of just transitions with an expanded point of view:

We believe that a just transition contributes to the following objectives:

Recognize, address and prevent the deepening of existing inequalities in transition processes.
Mitigate new inequalities that may arise and support affected people and communities when negative impacts occur.
Strengthen the capacity of communities to manage, adapt to, and capitalize on transition processes and opportunities to become active agents of change.

What principles are just transitions based on?

Recognition-based justice: This requires recognizing and addressing the rights, concerns and injustices experienced by affected social groups, especially when they are in situations of vulnerability and marginalization, valuing the diverse needs, experiences, capacities and knowledge of individuals and groups. Key question: Who is affected and how?
Procedural justice: This requires that all people, including social groups in situations of vulnerability and marginalization, are able to participate meaningfully in decisions that may affect them, including the right to free, prior and informed consent, freedom of association, the right to organize and protest, among others. Key question: Who should participate so that everyone’s voice is heard and valued, and how?
Distributive justice: This requires that in the distribution of costs and benefits, social groups in situations of vulnerability and marginalization should not bear a disproportionate burden, and that all segments of the population should be able to benefit equally from the opportunities created. Key question: Who benefits and who bears the costs?
Restorative justice: This requires to repair harm done and to address the sense of injustice resulting from the loss and pain caused by the change. It is often associated with compensation, restitution, but also with repairing relationships that may have been damaged. Key question: How can the past injustice be repaired and the damage done be compensated?

What principles are just transitions based on?

Recognition-based justice: This requires recognizing and addressing the rights, concerns and injustices experienced by affected social groups, especially when they are in situations of vulnerability and marginalization, valuing the diverse needs, experiences, capacities and knowledge of individuals and groups. Key question: Who is affected and how?
Procedural justice: This requires that all people, including social groups in situations of vulnerability and marginalization, are able to participate meaningfully in decisions that may affect them, including the right to free, prior and informed consent, freedom of association, the right to organize and protest, among others. Key question: Who should participate so that everyone’s voice is heard and valued, and how?
Distributive justice: This requires that in the distribution of costs and benefits, social groups in situations of vulnerability and marginalization should not bear a disproportionate burden, and that all segments of the population should be able to benefit equally from the opportunities created. Key question: Who benefits and who bears the costs?
Restorative justice: This requires to repair harm done and to address the sense of injustice resulting from the loss and pain caused by the change. It is often associated with compensation, restitution, but also with repairing relationships that may have been damaged. Key question: How can the past injustice be repaired and the damage done be compensated?

WHAT IS A JUST TRANSITION?	WHAT IS NOT A JUST TRANSITION?
An approach It is an approach, a perspective, a way of looking at things, approaching a problem, or carrying out tasks (e.g., gender approach, human rights approach).	A tool It is not a single fixed tool, technique or methodology. It is not an add-on to a project, measure or policy that does not affect the fundamentals of the project.
A balanced multilateral process It is a set of decisions and changes that balance social, environmental and economic needs and interests.	A unilateral or partial process It is not simply a transition from fossil fuels to clean energy, from one technology to another, or from one form of organization to another, nor is it focused exclusively on economic and employment opportunities, nor is it focused exclusively on social compensation or environmental protection.
An equitable and inclusive process It is a process that intentionally addresses power imbalances and inequalities in a cross-cutting way. It aims to integrate, build bridges and avoid exclusion, taking into account the need to “do no significant harm” and “leave no one behind”.	A fragmented and isolated process It is not a fragmented and isolated process that hinders the ability to address inequalities and imbalances in a systemic way and to equitably integrate diverse needs and voices into the process.

WHAT IS A JUST TRANSITION?

An approach
It is an approach, a perspective, a way of looking at things, approaching a problem, or carrying out tasks (e.g., gender approach, human rights approach).
A balanced multilateral process
It is a set of decisions and changes that balance social, environmental and economic needs and interests.
An equitable and inclusive process
It is a process that intentionally addresses power imbalances and inequalities in a cross-cutting way. It aims to integrate, build bridges and avoid exclusion, taking into account the need to “do no significant harm” and “leave no one behind”.

WHAT IS NOT A JUST TRANSITION?

A tool
It is not a single fixed tool, technique or methodology. It is not an add-on to a project, measure or policy that does not affect the fundamentals of the project.
A unilateral or partial process
It is not simply a transition from fossil fuels to clean energy, from one technology to another, or from one form of organization to another, nor is it focused exclusively on economic and employment opportunities, nor is it focused exclusively on social compensation or environmental protection.
A fragmented and isolated process
It is not a fragmented and isolated process that hinders the ability to address inequalities and imbalances in a systemic way and to equitably integrate diverse needs and voices into the process.

Bibliography

Dalabajan, D., et al. (2022). Towards a Just Energy Transition: Implications for communities in lower- and middle-income countries. Oxfam.

Wang, X., y Lo, K. (2021). «Just transition: A conceptual review». Energy Research & Social Science 82. 102291.

Finley-Brook, M., & Holloman, E. (2016). Empowering Energy Justice. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 13(9), 926.

Muñoz Cabré, M., & Vega-Araújo, J. (2022). Considerations for a just and equitable energy transition. Stockholm+50 background paper series. Stockholm Environment Institute.

Bibliography

Dalabajan, D., et al. (2022). Towards a Just Energy Transition: Implications for communities in lower- and middle-income countries. Oxfam.

Wang, X., y Lo, K. (2021). «Just transition: A conceptual review». Energy Research & Social Science 82. 102291.

Finley-Brook, M., & Holloman, E. (2016). Empowering Energy Justice. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 13(9), 926.

Muñoz Cabré, M., & Vega-Araújo, J. (2022). Considerations for a just and equitable energy transition. Stockholm+50 background paper series. Stockholm Environment Institute.

Do you want to know more?

To read the previous article: ARE TODAY’S TRANSITIONS TO SUSTAINABILITY SOCIALLY JUST?
If you want to learn more about our approach and work, you can find us at atelieritd.org

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the members of the Atelier itd, itdUPM, Dark Matter Labs, Viable Cities and Climate KIC teams who contributed to the co-creation of these evolving reflections. Also, to Porticus for their invaluable support on this exploratory journey.

Do you want to know more?

To read the previous article: ARE TODAY’S TRANSITIONS TO SUSTAINABILITY SOCIALLY JUST?
If you want to learn more about our approach and work, you can find us at atelieritd.org

Do you want to know more?

To read the previous article: ARE TODAY’S TRANSITIONS TO SUSTAINABILITY SOCIALLY JUST?
If you want to learn more about our approach and work, you can find us at atelieritd.org

Acknowledgements