A just energy transition to sustainable low carbon economies

Given the new international framework set up by the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Just Transition movement, which aims at transforming energy systems into a sustainable, clean and safe version of themselves while considering aspects of social justice, would benefit from a critical reflection and systematic analysis on broader dimensions and implications of the interlinkages between global energy transition and justice in the context of ‘low carbon development pathways’.

Jointly initiated by Friedrich-Ebert-Foundation and Bread for the World and implemented mainly by Climate & Development Advice, this project studied global energy transformation as a matter of justice (phase 1), followed by outreach activities (phase 2) in selected developing countries with the goal of influencing the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and Pathway 2050 implementation and elaboration from a just transition perspective. The methodological framework was designed to deliver a system of criteria and indicators to measure the level of "justice" enshrined in NDCs. 10-12 country case studies were also included.

An expert from adelphi contributed to the conceptual and methodological development and country case study on China. The country case study includes its development profile and current status in achieving selected SDGs, climate and energy profile, and NDC assessment against just transition indicators. Based on them, recommendations were provided in view of just transition principles.