Just Transition Initiative

Solutions to Secure an Inclusive and Sustainable Future

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To address the challenges of climate change, countries will continue to transition away from emissions-intensive energy sources and take steps to build more resilient communities and economies.  The importance of achieving a just transition in the face of this transformational change has grown in recent years as both the disruptive impacts of a changing climate and the scope and scale of the necessary transformation come more clearly into focus.  Despite the growing recognition of its importance, very few resources are available to countries, investors, civil society, and international development institutions seeking to achieve a just transition.
 

About the Project

The Just Transition Initiative is a new partnership project developed by the CSIS Energy Security & Climate Change Program and the Climate Investment Funds (CIF) to investigate how to achieve a just transition through the transformational change necessary to address climate change.
 
The collaborative effort will

  • conduct a systematic analysis of the various understandings and components of a just transition;
  • conduct case studies to inform best practices; and
  • foster a community of stakeholders and scholars engaging in this space.

The objective is to create a public platform of resources and guidance for a just transition in the context of climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts.  
 
This multi-year project will create policy recommendations and strategies informed by case study analysis, consultations, and literature review.  It will also identify the variances and gaps—in both the conceptual and practical understanding—of a just transition and facilitate knowledge sharing and partnerships among stakeholders and scholars.
 
This project is made possible by support from Climate Investment Funds.

All Just Transition Initiative Content

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Energy 360°

Just Transitions: Environmental Remediation

This week, Mzila Mthenjane with Exxaro Resources in South Africa and Dr. Raju Evr with the Indian Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change, join Sandeep Pai of the Just Transition Initiative to look at the role of environmental remediation plays in the just transition agenda.

Podcast Episode by Sandeep Pai — April 4, 2022

CSIS Energy 360

The Battle for Coal at COP26

Coal was center stage at COP26, and the disagreements over coal reveal the emerging fault lines as the world tries to reach net-zero emissions.

Commentary by Nikos Tsafos — November 15, 2021

Energy 360°

Just Transitions: Focusing on South Africa and India

This week, Chandra Bhushan with iFOREST and Jesse Burton with the University of Cape Town join Sandeep Pai (CSIS) to look at how key themes of just transitions are important in the context of CoP26 meetings.

Podcast Episode by Sandeep Pai — November 1, 2021

CSIS Energy 360

Just Transitions in Coal Dependent Communities

The Just Transitions Initiative presents its forthcoming report: "Understanding Just Transitions in Coal-Dependent Communities: Case Studies from Mpumalanga, South Africa, and Jharkhand, India."

Event — October 28, 2021

Understanding Just Transitions in Coal-Dependent Communities

This study explores coal-related socio-economic dependency in Mpumalanga, South Africa, and Jharkhand, India, and key solutions for just transition planning including economic diversification, environmental rehabilitation, and important stakeholders.

Report by Sandeep Pai, Ian Barlow, Mary Margaret Allen, Kira O'Hare, Hugh Searight, Rahul Madhusudanan, and Mike Ward — October 28, 2021

Working toward a Just Transition for Coal Communities

Policies to decarbonize the U.S. power sector have important repercussions for fossil fuel workers and communities. Congress and the Biden administration are seeking to support coal communities but should apply the principles and lessons learned from past transitions.

Commentary by Ben Cahill and Sandeep Pai — September 27, 2021

Energy 360°

Just Transitions: A Just Green Recovery from Covid-19

This week, Ben Cahill (CSIS) is joined by Brian O’Callaghan and Jesse Burton to discuss how Covid-19 recovery can be more just, equitable and green. 

Podcast Episode by Ben Cahill — June 21, 2021

CSIS Energy 360

A Just Green Recovery from Covid-19

This paper examines whether green recovery measures are supporting a just transition and offers policy recommendations to accelerate decarbonization while enhancing equity.

Brief by Ben Cahill, Mary Margaret Allen, Hugh Searight , and Rahul Madhusudanan — May 25, 2021