National Unions
Unions
A 2015 article which investigates how the National Union of Metal Workers of South Africa (NUMSA) developed an approach to climate justice and is intervening to shape policy around the 'just transition' in South Africa.
[Originally posted at https://mulpress.mcmaster.ca/globallabour/article/view/2325]
This 2021 declaration outlines the U.S. United Mine Workers of America's principles for energy transition "that will enhance opportunities for miners, their families and their communities are built around three simple goals: preserve coal
jobs, create new jobs, and preserve coalfield families and communities."
[Originally posted at https://umwa.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/UMWA-Preserving-Coal-Country-2021.pdf]
A 2022 study which illustrates 15 contrasting interpretations of what constitutes a 'just transition' through interviews with 13 Swedish trade union representatives from Sweden’s three largest industrial emitters (steel, 14 petroleum refining, cement) along with representatives at the central level.
[Originally posted at https://academic.oup.com/oocc/advance-article/doi/10.1093/oxfclm/kgac006/6823550]
A 2022 study where the researchers focus on in-depth interviews conducted in 2019 and 2020 with 48 labor union members and leaders in varied occupations from eight national unions located in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. Energy workers' views on climate change were varied, but contrary to stereotypes about blue-collar workers “climate skeptic” views were held by only a few.
[Originally posted at https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214629622000184]
A 2018 paper which examines the ‘theory’ and practice of ‘just transition’ by first considering the competing interpretations and conceptual understandings of it and second, the challenges of realizing a ‘just transition’ in an Australian coal region where transition is occurring. The paper argues that achieving ‘just transition’ requires more than government provisions and interventions and that unions must perform an
active part in the process through their relations with employers, workers, government, and community. It suggests the lack of clarity within the ‘just transition’ literature may be the concept’s lasting strength.
[Originally posted at https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14747731.2018.1454679]
A 2021 paper which focuses on how Argentina and Chile, with a high percentage of informality in their economies and their labour markets, have embedded 'just transition' into their legal orders through the submission of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
[Originally posted at https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/17/9616]
This 2022 guide is published by IndustriALL, the global union federation, and is focused on providing a concrete road map for unions seeking to build a Just Transition campaign. It was written by Just Transition For All executive director/founder Jonathan Tasini
[Originally posted at https://www.industriall-union.org/sites/default/files/uploads/images/FutureOfWork/JustTransition/guide_of_practice_en_web.pdf]
A 2020 paper which provides analysis of the current state of circular economy policies in Latin America and the Caribbean and identifies priority issues for governments, businesses, civil society and the research community.
[Originally posted at https://www.unido.org/sites/default/files/files/2020-09/circular_economy_lac.pdf]
A 2018 report which sets out a set of voluntary actions to increase energy access in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), and it is structured as follow: the vision of the Argentine Presidency for the G20 as it relates to improving energy access and affordability in the LAC region; describes the issues relating to getting to and maintaining universal electricity access; describes actions to use access to promote stronger economic and social development; addresses access to clean cooking and residential heat; sets out various factors that are common to the several forms of energy access and which can increase the effectiveness and impact of access efforts.
[Originally posted at https://biblioteca.olade.org/opac-tmpl/Documentos/old0418.pdf]
A 2021 report which offers clear and robust evidence for debates on business accountability, uncovering the dark side of the “clean” energy industries. Authors expect this analysis will be a useful addition to the 'just transition' debate and help achieve the urgently needed reforms in the regions highlighted, where communities continue to face abuse.
[Originally posted at https://media.business-humanrights.org/media/documents/RE_LATAM_final_English.pdf]
A 2021 paper which conducts a scoping review of current household energy use patterns and trends in rural Latin America, with the objective of identifying strategies that help promote just and fair transitions in the region.
[Originally posted at https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/ac28b2/pdf]
A 2021 policy brief which argues that energy poverty and access must be brought boldly into the 'just transition' debate. It offers an overview of current understanding of what constitutes a just energy transition and what is meant by energy poverty and access by giving a snapshot of the European Union and Sub-Saharan Africa context.
[Originally posted at https://startup-energy.org/wp-content/uploads/Policy_Brief_A_Just_Energy_Transition_to_facilitate_household_energy_access_and_alleviate_energy_poverty_July_2021.pdf]
A 2022 study which explores the synergies and linkages between post-COVID 19 crisis recovery approaches and the energy transition in Latin America and the Caribbean. It aims to identify recovery strategies for key sectors and technologies based on changes in policies, institutions, regulations and investments in such a way that it leads to more sustainable ways to produce and consume energy
and the decarbonization of the economy.
[Originally posted at https://repositorio.cepal.org/bitstream/handle/11362/47868/3/S2100949_en.pdf]
A 2019 report which aims to provide a range of views about Aotearoa New Zealand’s progress on the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These come from a range of perspectives – NGOs, community organizations, researchers, unions, businesses, and young people.
[Originally posted at https://www.sdg.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Final_PeopleReport-2019-Dec-2019_for-web.pdf]
A 2018 report which explores the circumstances leading to the phase-out and the actions taken by affected players for those who may draw inspiration and lessons from Alberta: policy-makers, campaigners, environmental groups, the coal industry and others transitioning to a low-carbon economy.
[Originally posted at https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/end-coal-albertas-coal-phase-out]
Hot Reports
Covid-19 and a Just Transition in India's Coal Mining Sector
The COVID 19 pandemic hit India hard in early 2020, with negative GDP growth and a surge in unemployment. In the energy sector, coal fired power generation was already under pressure from overcapacity, low electricity demand growth, and increasingly competitive renewables.
Considerations for a Just and Equitable Energy Transition
As the energy transition accelerates, it is our responsibility, it is our opportunity, to ensure that in addition to contributing to a healthy planet by replacing fossil fuels with clean energy sources, this is accomplished in a just and equitable manner providing prosperity for all.
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