The concept of a “just transition” has expanded significantly in recent years, evolving from an initial focus on workers in affected sectors to a broader political and economic agenda. Although often associated with the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, changes in other systems such as transport, urban and industrial systems are equally important. It is crucial that a just transition also takes into account socio-economic systems, placing people at the center of this process and formulates transformations around the needs and life experiences of communities.

The dialogues on “Global Enablers for a Just Transition to Net Zero Emissions”, held in 2024-2025, brought together strategic thinkers from across the spectrum, including academia, think tanks and practitioners. The discussions, held in Barcelona and Cape Town, highlighted that dialogue and collective reflection – especially when it brings together diverse perspectives and experiences – is a powerful generator of creative and innovative thinking.

We live in challenging times, when incremental political progress is increasingly challenged by authoritarian populist narratives and trust is declining at all levels. In such a geopolitical context, multilateralism and international cooperation more important than ever before.

Overcoming political obstacles

Political obstacles refer to barriers in national or international political systems that prevent effective climate action. Several strategies have emerged to overcome them:

• Visions and narratives: The vision of a better life or “the good life” in 2050 below 1.5°C is a key motivator for mobilizing society. It must be based on broad ethical foundations, such as: fairness, care, loyalty, trust and integrity, and it must appeal to emotions to inspire action.
• Mobilization and consensus building: Implementing a just transition requires mobilizing a broad spectrum of social actors and building consensus that includes government, labor, business, and civil society. Consensus requires mediation of differences and can take various organizational forms, such as commissions or citizens’ assemblies.
• Capacity building: Building human and institutional capacity is essential, as is coordination across networks. This includes research, advocacy, and climate litigation.

Conflict management and rebuilding international cooperation

Conflict is an essential part of the transition to net zero emissions, as legacy injustices (such as pollution and poverty) overlap with new injustices (such as job losses). The key question is not how to eliminate conflict, but how to manage it in a constructive and inclusive way, which challenges existing structures of power and authority to make them more just.

International cooperation must be reshaped to truly achieve a just transition. It is essential to align domestic policies with international commitments and to enable countries to design strategies that mitigate socio-economic impacts and equitably distribute opportunities. Building trust between partners and a vision of shared interests are key.

Just Transition Work Programme (JTWP) and indicators

The JTWP emerged in the discussions as key for signaling global needs, setting mandates, consolidating knowledge, designing financing models, convening key actors and strategic international cooperation. COP30 calls for “more concrete results” from the JTWP.

To track progress in just transition, indicators are needed that provide timely and meaningful signals of progress. Key principles for designing these indicators include:

• Prioritizing flexibility over rigidity: Indicators should be adaptable and subject to regular review.
• Focusing on marginalized voices at every stage: Justice must be participatory, with inclusive decision-making at all levels.
• People-centered outcomes to balance economic metrics: Quantitative data needs to be complemented by qualitative insights into how people feel, what they experience and whether they believe that social contracts are being respected. Examples of potential indicators include social cohesion, access to social protection, rights and participation in decision-making.

Financing structural transformation and the role of MSMEs

The aim of Structural Transformation Financing is to deepen a common understanding of how financing can effectively support structural transformation in line with climate goals and social justice. Three interlinked areas are covered: development paths, economic diversification a accelerated mitigationWhile large-scale investment is needed, especially in infrastructure, governments must set a clear vision and coordinate implementation, as markets alone will not drive the transformation in the right direction.

Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) They represent significant opportunities for job creation, innovation and social cohesion. They are key to the green economic transition and deserve more attention, although they face challenges such as access to finance and technology. In addition to mitigation, it is also important to justice and equity in adaptation and losses and damages (L&D), leading to the concept of “just resilience”, which requires additional financial resources.

Overall, just transition is a complex process that requires constant dialogue, strong visions, collective mobilization and sophisticated international cooperation. JRi