The just transition debate: ambition meets reality – Open session at the CDP’s 2023 Plenary

As they shift gears and start to accelerate climate action, countries around the world are embarking on just transition strategies, committing to ensure that the transition to low-carbon economies leaves no one behind. In their initiatives, both developed and developing countries are attempting to address the distributional consequences of the transition, take advantage of the development of new markets, and ensure inclusiveness in decision-making. In a world of interdependent energy, labour, and financial markets, there are critical international dimensions to a just transition: what impacts is climate action having on trade, particularly with the poorest countries? How can climate action generate opportunities instead of further obstacles for developing countries and their structural transformation processes? How are climate change and climate action impacting fiscal and debt sustainability, particularly in the context of the global crises aggravated by COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine? What does a just transition mean for countries that have contributed little to the climate crisis and have large gaps in energy access? These and other issues were discussed by members of the Committee for Development Policy (CDP) in an open session held on 21 February 2023.

The recording of the event is available at UN Web TV.