This multi-year project brings together research institutions across nine countries in the Global South, in a novel approach to developing alternative, and context-specific just transition strategies.
Year: 2021 Current Project
- Overview
About the Project
This project is led by Climate Strategies, in partnership with Dala Institute (Indonesia), Fedesarollo (Colombia), the University of Ghana, the University of Liberal Arts (Bangladesh), EfD Kenya, CEPA (Malawi), Hanoi University of Science and Technology (Vietnam), National University of Laos and Sociedad y Naturaleza (Argentina).
Our Partners
Why do we need research on Just Transitions in the Global South?
Just Transitions (JT) are at the foreground of managing the distributive costs and benefits of transitioning to a low-carbon and resilient society through a participatory process. From its inclusion in the Paris Agreement preamble (2015) to the more recent Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) announcements, Just Transitions have become an integral part of climate change mitigation, adaptation, and financing dialogues.
While experts and policymakers have historically applied this concept to the energy sector in the Global North, the concept has expanded to make it more representative of issues relevant to developing countries. Taking a broad approach to Just Transitions includes assessing multiple sectors, going beyond mitigation to incorporate adaptation and resilience measures, and enabling multi-stakeholder participation, while prioritising the needs of vulnerable countries, regions and communities
Since 2019, Climate Strategies has boosted efforts to tailor Just Transition principles for diverse contexts, integrate key findings into NDCs and international conversations, and accelerate socially just climate action to achieve Paris Agreement targets. You can find details about the past phases of this project by clicking on the ‘Background’ tab of this page.
What is South to South Just Transitions (S2S)?
Research to Boost Just Transitions and Inclusive Climate Action in the Global South
The initiative aims to deepen our understanding of what Just Transitions mean in diverse contexts, develop guidance to inform dialogue and guide planning and create a lasting network of researchers committed to the topic. To achieve these goals, S2S facilitates a south-to-south knowledge-sharing network of nine in-country research partners, based in Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Working with in-country partners creates an opportunity to generate contextually specific knowledge while also strengthening and supporting research capacity.
In-country teams have explored how Just Transitions are embedded in current and newly developed climate policies, identified sectors where principles for Just Transitions are most critical, and prepared evidence-based recommendations for decision-makers to enact Just Transitions. Our country reports and toolkits, available in English and local languages, can be found by clicking on the ‘Publications’ tab of this page.
Although each of our partners have explored different contexts, the consortium has identified several cross-cutting issues. These are highlighted in our flagship report, ‘Exploring Just Transitions in the Global South’ and summarized below.
Our Key Takeaways
At both the national and international levels, we see more conversations about Just Transitions. This is encouraging and points to a growing interest in restorative and procedural justice while simultaneously addressing the socioeconomic effects of a shift to a low-carbon society. Many Global South nations have included frameworks for Just Transitions in their NDCs and related policies, either explicitly or implicitly.
Planning and implementing Just Transitions, however, continues to be difficult in some contexts in the Global South. These include issues such as a lack of data access for planning, limited funding for social engagement and dialogue, the lack of a central body to coordinate Just Transitions across sectors, the need for more institutional knowledge and capacity on the subject, and limited resources for Just Transitions outside the energy sector.
View our Practical Recommendations for Just Transitions here
Some policies already have an adverse effect on human rights, worsening inequalities, and excluding those who are most vulnerable. For example, if Just Transitions are not implemented, there is a risk that gender inequalities may be replicated in green energy sectors in Colombia. Similarly, in Kenya, plans to transition to a circular economy threaten the livelihood of informal urban waste workers if they are not included in key dialogues. In Laos, just transitions are key to ensuring indigenous forest communities do not lose access to sites of cultural and economic importance. In Malawi and Argentina, policies aimed at improving agricultural efficiency and resilience could impact smallholder farmers if their needs are not considered in the transition.
Even if these are context-specific issues, the international community can take steps to increase ambitions on socioeconomic justice in climate action more broadly. These include providing more funding for social dialogue, supporting efforts to create centralized commissions for Just Transitions, increasing capacity to plan Just Transitions, and facilitating dialogues across ministries and regions.
Empowering Diverse Actors to Drive Just Transitions in the Global South
Just Transitions can unlock progress on cross-cutting socioeconomic challenges by ensuring a holistic approach which includes inclusive dialogue on the co-benefits and trade-offs associated with tackling climate change.
The S2S initiative is currently working with four in-country partners to raise ambition and accelerate the implementation of the Paris Agreement, aiming for an evidence-based and participatory Just Transition. We are engaging with international negotiations, planning side events, local workshops and virtual seminars, and undertaking new research to: 1) increase domestic action on Just Transitions and increase ambition in the JTWP negotiations; and, 2) increase national knowledge and sense of urgency among key stakeholders on Just Transitions in adaptation and resilience.
As a collaborative network, we seek to engage with a variety of actors, including policymakers, NGOs, industry actors, civil society and many others. If you believe your organisation or network could help to boost climate action by participating in these conversations, please contact Ana Paola.
There is no one-size-fits-all framework for Just Transitions, as countries across the world have their own unique contexts, sectors, and cultures. However, through collaboration, commonalities can be found through similar challenges and opportunities. Together we can develop a clearer picture of what just transitions can look like, and importantly, how a just, inclusive approach can accelerate climate action.
Discover practical recommendations for implementing Just Transitions with this infographic.
Follow the South to South Just Transitions Twitter account to stay up to date with project updates.
- Background
Background
South to South Just Transitions is the latest initiative of Climate Strategies using a co-creative approach to inform Just Transitions in the Global South. This page provides an overview of the project’s history, milestones, and more. Consult the timeline below for an overview of our activities since 2018:
For a complete overview of the project’s history, you can access a comprehensive timeline here. Find more details of the current phase under the ‘Just Transition Work Programme (JTWP)’ and ‘Just Resilience’ tabs on this page.
Since COP24 in Katowice in 2018, Climate Strategies has collaborated with researchers across the globe to engage stakeholders on a local, regional, national and global level to understand and explore how Just Transitions can accelerate climate action.
In 2019, at the following COP25 in Madrid, Climate Strategies hosted a Just Transitions Policy Roundtable that included UN and ILO representatives, government representatives, business and trade unions and research institutions, all of which provided a developing country perspective. Details of this event and further exploration into Just Transitions in developing countries can be found in our Reflection Paper. It highlighted some of the labour-specific challenges to just transition in developing countries, provided guidance for policymakers and identified research and implementation gaps.
In order to address these identified gaps, in 2020 we partnered with in-country researchers in three diverse countries in the Global South: Colombia, Ghana and Indonesia. These case studies confirmed that there is no one-size-fits-all framework for Just Transitions, and highlighted the importance of working with and empowering local actors to take ownership of the concept of Just Transitions. Through this work, we produced a set of key guiding principles and recommendations for national governments in advancing the just transition (see Incorporating just transition strategies into developing countries NDCs and Covid-19 responses Comparing insights from Ghana, Colombia, and Indonesia). These can help inform the approach to technical and capacity-building support and stakeholder engagement, including the informal economy.
In 2021 and 2022, S2S partners focused on undertaking research and developing toolkits, providing key insights into the broad landscape of Just Transitions in the Global South. Beginning in 2023, S2S partners used the learnings from their research to engage a variety of key stakeholders, raise awareness of Just Transitions as an enabler of ambition, facilitate dialogue among diverse actors, and empower key actors to drive forward critical changes.
Our South to South initiative now functions as a knowledge and impact network. In each country, we have a leading academic partner who leads research and stakeholder engagement.
Climate Strategies convenes the network and provides guidance, reflection and coherence of methodologies alongside the dissemination of research outputs.
- Current Phase: Just Transition Work Programme (JTWP)
Just Transition Work Programme (JWTP)
International negotiations and discussions often fail to reflect the realities at subnational levels. Due to the multilateral nature of these negotiations, the resulting agreements and decisions may not align with the national contexts of certain countries. Evidence-based research and insights generated domestically are crucial for identifying priorities, needs, gaps, and recommendations for Just Transitions. A robust domestic knowledge base strengthens national negotiating teams, enabling them to develop strategies, build alliances, and ensure that their national realities are acknowledged in final decisions.
As part of the current phase of the S2S initiative, Climate Strategies is working with in-country partners in Colombia and Ghana to achieve an ambitious UAE Just Transition Work Programme (JTWP) through science diplomacy.
We regularly plan virtual seminars, high-level dialogues and local workshops to facilitate impactful engagements and generate information that will contribute to creating an ambitious JTWP. You can find more about the events under the ‘Events’ tab.
Find out more about what the JTWP can do to help countries achieve ambitious JTs with our latest reports below.
Read our latest reports:
- Policy Recommendations for the Just Transition Work Programme at COP30: Overcoming Fragmentation in the UNFCCC to Deliver Just Transitions
- Chile: Chile’s Multi-Dimensional Just Transition: Pursuing Continuity and Managing a Daring Agenda
- Kenya: Unlocking a Just Transition in Kenya: Policy Gaps, Opportunities and Global Support
- Uganda: Safeguarding a Successful Just Transition in Uganda: Supporting Frameworks with Data and Governance
- Indonesia: Implementing a Just Transition in Indonesia: Challenges and Opportunities
- Vietnam: Vietnam’s Energy Shift as Catalyst for a Just Transition
- South Africa: Finance, Skills, Trust: Unlocking South Africa’s Just Energy Future
- Ghana: A Critical Review and Analysis of Opportunities and Challenges for Just Transitions in Ghana
- Colombia: National Dialogue on Key National Priorities for Just Transitions in Colombia
UNFCCC submissions and interventions
- Climate Strategies’ statement for 2023 High-Level Roundtable on Just Transition
- Climate Strategies’ submission to SBSTA and SBI on different elements the of the work programme on just transition pathways
- Climate Strategies’ submission to SBSTA and SBI on work to be undertaken under, as well as possible topics for the dialogues under the work programme
- Climate Strategies’ submission to SBI on the Belém Work Programme
- Climate Strategies’ submission on views relevant to the topic of the 1st dialogue under the UAE JTWP – Lessons from international research and practice
- Climate Strategies’ submission on views relevant to the topic of the 2nd dialogue under the UAE JTWP – Lessons from international research and practice
- Climate Strategies’ submission to SBSTA and SBI on the UAE Just Transition Work Programme (February 2025)
- Climate Strategies’ submission on views relevant to the topic of the 3rd dialogue under the UAE JTWP (April 2025)
- Climate Strategies’ submission on views relevant to the topic of the 4th dialogue under the UAE JTWP (August 2025)
- Climate Strategies’ submission to SBSTA and SBI on the UAE Just Transition Work Programme (February 2026)
- Just Resilience
Just Resilience
Key to the international conversation on Just Transitions is the concept of Just Resilience, which applies JT principles to adaptation and resilience policies to manage the unequal burden of adapting to climate change and to ensure no one is left behind. Just Resilience research developed by the Global South is urgently needed to both a) ensure that international frameworks and practices respond to the realities of communities that will be most affected by climate change, and b) support the evidence-based development of national adaptation plans and secure international funding for adaptation.
As part of the current phase of the S2S initiative, Climate Strategies is working with in-country partners in Kenya and Bangladesh to understand what Just Resilience means in their contexts and identify key national priorities to then embed those insights into frameworks for global adaptation and Just Transitions.
We are planning a webinar series, a side event at COP29 and local workshops to raise awareness of the need to consider and incorporate Just Resilience into adaptation planning and implementation. You can find more about the events under the ‘Events’ tab.
Publications:
- Find out more about Just Resilience with our latest scoping paper: Justice and equity in climate change adaptation: overview of an emerging agenda
- Bangladesh in-country report on Just Resilience: Just Resilience: Equity-Based Climate Change Adaptation in Bangladesh
- Kenya in-country report on Just Resilience: Just Resilience in Kenya: Frameworks and Perspectives for Equitable Climate Adaptation
- Events
Events
COP30 2025
Benefits Beyond Borders: Collaborative Governance for a Global Just Transition. Find out more.
Bonn Climate Change Conference 2025 (SB26)
Can Just Transitions help rebuild trust in multilateral cooperation? Find out more.
COP29 2024
- Just Resilience: Just Transitions towards a more equal and climate resilient society. Find out more.
Just Resilience Webinar Series 2024
- Bridging Justice and Adaptation: Synergies between Just Transitions and the Global Goal on Adaptation. Find out more.
- Exploring Just Resilience: Equity-Centred Adaptation Frameworks and Perspectives in Kenya and Bangladesh. Find out more.
Bonn Climate Change Conference 2024
- Leveraging Just Transitions Across Adaptation, Mitigation and Trade Policies. Find out more.
- Integrating justice in next-gen NDCs: Indicators and metrics to bridge ambition and implementation gaps in Just Transitions. Find out more.
Special events hosted in 2024
- Bridging Justice and Adaptation: Synergies between Just Transitions and the Global Goal on Adaptation. Find out more.
- Just Transition Work Programme: Increasing ambition and implementation of Just Transitions in the next round of NDCs. Find out more
- Member Seminar: Building a Just Transition Work programme that supports greater ambition and implementation. Find out more.
COP28 2023
- Connecting international cooperation to local realities of the just transition. Watch the recording here.
- Work Programme on Just Transitions – an expert stakeholder dialogue to support pre-COP28 alignment among key actors. Find out more.
Special events hosted in 2023
- Work Programme on Just Transitions: finding common ground, gaps & priorities to accelerate implementation and raise ambition. Find out more.
Bonn Climate Change Conference 2023
- Find out more about this event – Building on the GST for Ambitious Just Transitions – and watch the recording.
COP27 2022
- Watch a recording of our dialogue on financing just transitions across the globe.
London Climate Action Week 2022
- Watch the recording of our event during London Climate Action Week.
COP26 2021
- Watch a recording of our event at the UN Climate Change Conference COP26 in Glasgow for just transition perspectives from around the globe.
- Publications
Publications
Our latest Policy Briefs on Just Transitions in the Global South (2026)
- Chile: Chile’s Multi-Dimensional Just Transition: Pursuing Continuity and Managing a Daring Agenda
- Kenya: Unlocking a Just Transition in Kenya: Policy Gaps, Opportunities and Global Support
- Uganda: Safeguarding a Successful Just Transition in Uganda: Supporting Frameworks with Data and Governance
- Indonesia: Implementing a Just Transition in Indonesia: Challenges and Opportunities
- Vietnam: Vietnam’s Energy Shift as Catalyst for a Just Transition
- South Africa: Finance, Skills, Trust: Unlocking South Africa’s Just Energy Future
Toolkits and Other Resources
- Just Transitions Toolkit: A Policymaker’s Guide to Inclusive Planning
- Recommendations for policymakers based on South to South project findings
- Policy Recommendations for the Just Transition Work Programme at COP30: Overcoming Fragmentation in the UNFCCC to Deliver Just Transitions
Our Latest Reports on Just Resilience (2024)
- Kenya: Just Resilience in Kenya: Frameworks and Perspectives for Equitable Climate Adaptation
- Bangladesh: Just Resilience: Equity-Based Climate Change Adaptation in Bangladesh
- Scoping paper: Justice and equity in climate change adaptation: overview of an emerging agenda
Our Latest Reports on Just Transitions (2024)
- Ghana: A Critical Review and Analysis of Opportunities and Challenges for Just Transitions in Ghana
- Colombia: National Dialogue on Key National Priorities for Just Transitions in Colombia
Other In-Country Reports
- Ghana: Toolkit for Just Transitions to a Low-Carbon Economy in Ghana’s Transport Sector
- Bangladesh: The Case for Just Transitions in the Energy, Agricultural, and Ready-Made Garments Sectors in Bangladesh . (You can read the Bengali translation of this report here)
- Colombia: Guidelines for Policymakers and Supporting Just Transition Finance
- Vietnam: Just Transitions and Coal Power Phase-out in Vietnam
- Indonesia: Guidelines for Just Transitions in Indonesia
- Argentina: Key Considerations for Unified Just Transitions in Argentina
- Kenya: Incorporating Just Transitions in Kenya’s Low-Carbon Economy Development Path
- Malawi: State of Climate Action and the Scope for a Just Transition
- Laos: Challenges, Opportunities and Recommendations for a Just Transition in Laos
- Flagship report: Exploring Just Transition in the Global South
In-Country Reports, 2021
- Colombia: Colombia country report: Incorporating Just Transition strategies in developing country NDCs and post COVID responses
- Indonesia: Indonesia country report: Incorporating Just Transition strategies in developing country NDCs and post COVID responses
- Ghana: Ghana country report: Incorporating Just Transition strategies in developing country NDCs and post COVID responses
- Incorporating just transition strategies into developing countries’ NDCs and Covid-19 responses. Comparing insights from Ghana, Colombia and Indonesia
- Reflection paper: Incorporating just transition strategies in developing country Nationally Determined Contributions
Media Coverage
- Article: The Case for Bangladesh’s Just Transition (Dhaka Tribune)
- Feature: Young Bangladeshis push for climate action but workers left out (Thomson Reuters Foundation)
- Op-ed: Climate finance most foster just transition in developing nations (Thomson Reuters Foundation)
- How emerging economies can engage in a just transition (Energy Monitor)
- Incorporating Just Transition Strategies in Developing Countries Nationally Determined Contributions (by Glynn P.J., Błachowicz A., Nicholls M., contribution to Handbook of Climate Change Management).
- Article: Ghana is not ready for electric vehicle transitions — Climate Change researchers launch toolkit on Just Transition to low carbon economy in Ghana (Happy Ghana)
- Article: Ghana’s energy transition must ensure equitable outcomes for citizens — Experts (Modern Ghana)
Additional Resources
- Indonesia’s Long-Term Strategy for Low Carbon and Climate Resilience 2050 (includes a section on Just Transition following engagement with the project’s local research partner, Dala Institute)
- UNFCCC Submissions
UNFCCC submissions and interventions
- COP28: Climate Strategies’ statement for 2023 High-Level Roundtable on Just Transition
- Just Transition Work Programme: Climate Strategies’ submission to SBSTA and SBI on different elements of the work programme on just transition pathways
- Just Transition Work Programme: Climate Strategies’ submission to SBSTA and SBI on work to be undertaken under, as well as possible topics for the dialogues under the work programme
- Belém Work Programme: Climate Strategies’ submission to SBI on the Belém Work Programme
- Just Transition Work Programme: Climate Strategies’ submission on views relevant to the topic of the 1st dialogue under the UAE JTWP – Lessons from international research and practice
- Just Transition Work Programme: Climate Strategies’ submission on views relevant to the topic of the 2nd dialogue under the UAE JTWP – Lessons from international research and practice
- Just Transition Work Programme: Climate Strategies’ submission to SBSTA and SBI on the UAE Just Transition Work Programme (February 2025)
- Just Transition Work Programme: Climate Strategies’ submission on views relevant to the topic of the 3rd dialogue under the UAE JTWP (April 2025)
- Just Transition Work Programme: Climate Strategies’ submission on views relevant to the topic of the 4th dialogue under the UAE JTWP (August 2025)
- Climate Strategies Submission on the process to develop a Just Transition mechanism (March 2026)
