This reflection paper explores how developing and least developed countries can incorporate just transition principles into their revised NDCs, enabling more ambitious and equitable emission reduction strategies. It explains the concept of a just transition in the developing country context, provides guidance on the drafting of just transition language in NDCs, suggests a timeline for each stage of the process, and identifies the resources available to assist in implementation. This includes country studies of Latin America. There is also a comprehensive 'Next Steps' section for furthering the knowledge and engagement around incorporation of just transition principles.
Key findings of this paper include:
- There is a lack of consensus around the meaning and implications of the just transition concept, specifically in the developing country context, that is creating barrier to its understanding, acceptance, and introduction into policy.
- There is a pervading misconception that the just transition is primarily relevant for developed countries. Developing countries are, thus far, failing to incorporate just transition principles in their NDCs/climate plans and other domestic strategies.
- There is a lack of practical information on how just transition principles can be applied in developing countries.
- Developing countries are often challenged by high unemployment and, as a result, labour market management is directed at job creation (rather than transformation) and skills development, reducing capacity to focus on green job creation.
- Informal sectors of the economy tend to account for a significant proportion of developing country labour markets, but they are largely absent from just transition dialogues.
- Meaningful and informed participation of stakeholders is essential to the development of just transition strategies: developing countries often suffer from lack of engagement of key stakeholders like workers, employers, and civil society in the development of just transition strategies. In some cases, limited capacities obstruct effective stakeholder engagement in developing countries.
- Responsibility for climate change policies and strategies are spread across government departments that frequently do not talk to each other.
- There is no one-size-fits-all approach. Models for introducing just transition principles need to be responsive to particular domestic circumstances.