Tackling climate change requires urgent structural changes in how goods and services are produced and resources are managed around the world. Some of these changes will have profound consequences for communities and local economies, especially in places where people are reliant on unsustainable practices. In addition to posing new risks and losses, the transition to a green economy is expected to create new economic and social development opportunities. How those risks and opportunities are mitigated and distributed across society, and the extent to which diverse groups are involved in decision-making that will affect their lives, will determine if the transition to low carbon and resilient economies is just.
CIF’s Just Transition Planning Toolbox provides practical guidance and resources for planning climate and, or, sustainability transitions that are equitable and inclusive. The Toolbox describes many, diverse activities that go into preparing for, and implementing, a transition. It is a useful resource to help policymakers, practitioners, project managers and others, plan transition from design to deliver with materials that are useful in a wide range of contexts, real-world examples and links to external “how to” resources.
The Just Transition Initiative (JTI), delivered as part of CIF’s Evaluation and Learning Initiative, has spearheaded new analysis to help fill the knowledge gap on what a just transition means and how it can be achieved in emerging economies. The JTI produces original research and analysis on just transition, including case studies, research papers, commentaries, and podcasts. This work is available in the just transition resource collection.
Just transition is a cross-cutting priority in all of CIF's new investments and is included in the investment criteria and integrated Monitoring, Evaluation, & Learning (MEL) policy. The JTI provides ongoing feedback on Investment Plans and supported country scoping missions. Beyond CIF, the JTI supports MDBs in the development of their own just transition policies, participates in international knowledge exchange events, and provides inputs to external publications.
While there’s a growing understanding and appreciation for the need for a just transition to a low-carbon and resilient society, a key challenge for many countries and stakeholders is how to make just transitions happen. A major barrier is the complex upfront planning which must consider a wide range of challenges and activities, requiring a diverse set of expertise and extensive stakeholder involvement. The JTI is providing practical guidance, funding, and a knowledge sharing platform to help operationalize just transition principles into policies, plans, and projects in Global South countries:
Just Transition Planning Toolbox
In addition to these pilot projects, the JTI team is providing direct technical support to the development of national just transition policies in a number of CIF countries.
Please email us if you have any questions regarding the JTI and/or have suggestions for collaboration. To stay up-to-date with all of the JTI work, sign up for our CIF quarterly knowledge newsletter.