Ghana will need to address the climate crisis in the coming decades by reducing emissions and
adapting to climate change. Just transition (JT) is a term that is used to describe this process
of transitioning to a resilient and low-carbon society inclusively. A JT is a process that brings
together all stakeholders to support the creation of a fair, inclusive, and participatory transition
process.

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Executive summary

The Ghanaian transport sector, responsible for about one-quarter of the country’s current level
of greenhouse gas emissions, is a key priority for Ghana’s transition to a low-carbon economy.
A JT to a green transport sector could have considerable co-benefits, such as decreased air
pollution, improved health, reduced numbers of vehicular accidents, and new employment
opportunities. Changes in the transport sector will need to be managed carefully however, given
the high number of people who rely on the sector for employment and mobility. This toolkit
provides some recommendations to maximise the benefits of this transition and to reduce
negative impacts.


Key elements of planning a just transition include:


Awareness-Raising: For example, increasing understanding amongst those who will be
affected by changes and those in decision-making positions. This can increase buy-in for
the JT among various individuals, communities, and businesses.


Developing a Socially Inclusive Vision: Participation is key for a JT. Diverse stakeholders
need to be engaged to build a vision that leaves no one behind. It is important to consider
how a new target in one area (e.g. improving air quality) could affect various groups of
people (e.g. taxi drivers currently driving diesel-operated vehicles).


Outlining a Pathway and Setting Clear Targets: Having a clear strategy is essential to
developing a detailed and actionable roadmap and timeline for achieving a JT.


Establishing a Clear Legal Framework: Legal frameworks should align with JT principles,
detailed pathways, and stakeholder feedback to ensure new laws do not discriminate
against vulnerable communities.


Building an Iterative Process: Continuous assessment of JT measures and implementation
should be undertaken to ensure the process is continually updated and progressive.


Decision-makers will also need to consider how transitions to a low-carbon society will be
financed, including how the additional ‘justice’ elements of the transition (such as reskilling and
social support) will be supported. Some key recommendations for securing financing include:

  • Consider the creation of an inter-ministerial committee tasked with integrating JT objectives
    across government policy and communicating these objectives, and funding needs, to
    Ghana’s international development partners.
  • Further integrate the social objectives of Ghana’s transition, in addition to the technical
    policies, into national climate policies and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
  • Integrate the objectives of a JT into Ghana’s national development plans and Ghana’s
    Sustainable Financing Framework.
  • Build awareness and capacity among domestic financial actors and examine the potential for
    fiscal reform that might support the objectives of a JT.
  • Draw attention to the needs and challenges associated with JT financing through the
    finance ministry’s engagement with the Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate Action.
  • Develop and maintain a database or pipeline of projects that are aligned with the objectives
    of a JT.
  • Ensure that financing mechanisms are developed that address the gap between the macrolevel and micro-level