In the final hours of COP28 conference, countries adopted the first-ever Fair Transition Action Plan, marking an unprecedented achievement in the history of the Conference of the Parties.
The parties agreed during the historic summit, held from November 30/November to December 12/December 2023 in Dubai, on the framework of the Just Transition Work Program (JTWP), just one year after negotiations began at COP27 in Sharm El Sheikh.
Experts and observers praised the success of COP28 in reaching an agreement on the work program at such a fast pace, despite the controversies surrounding the scope of the Joint Work Plan, which identifies key issues to be addressed within the framework of the fair transition process for the global economy.
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What is a just transition?
With the escalating dangerous and catastrophic effects of climate change, scientists agree that a proper response to the crisis requires reducing greenhouse gas emissions to the maximum extent possible and achieving carbon neutrality by mid-century.
This means making radical changes and transformations to global economies and financial flows, shifting towards green pathways that align with low-carbon development, capable of withstanding climate change.
Some of these measures involve changing energy production and consumption methods, transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, or converting food and agricultural systems to low-emission sustainable systems that provide food, protect biodiversity, and enhance nature-based solutions.
Despite the importance of this transition, it is not without risks and negative impacts that could harm the lives of millions of people, including workers and communities most affected by climate change.
Unless governments implement proactive policies, rapid economic transformation could lead to the creation or exacerbation of poverty, social inequality, displacement, and economic disruptions, including unemployment.
Estimates from the International Labour Organization suggest that the global economic transition could lead to the loss of around 80 million jobs and that the risks of the transition will be greater and more impactful on countries and communities dependent on fossil fuels and other emission-intensive sectors for their livelihood.
