Climate change and Just Transition

In December 2018, governments attending the international climate change conference in Katowice in Poland (COP 24) agreed to a “rule book” setting out how they will deliver their promised cuts in carbon emissions to keep to the 1.5°C limit and avoid catastrophic climate change.

The conference agreed that considering “the social aspect of the transition towards a low-carbon economy is crucial for gaining social approval for the changes taking place” and adopted the Solidarity and Just Transition Silesia Declaration 2018. This recognises the importance of ensuring a decent future for workers affected by the transition to a low-carbon economy and the need for decent work and quality jobs. It recognises that the future livelihoods of workers and communities affected by the transition must be secured.

Fifty governments, including the UK, have signed up to this declaration, which sets out seven measures to implement a Just Transition.