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Incorporating just transition strategies in developing country NDCs and post COVID responses

Developed a profile and engaged in consultations regarding the implementation of Indonesia's commitments under the Paris Agreement through its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), and its recovery measures from COVID-19.

Background

To address the challenges of the climate crisis and achieve the objective of the Paris Agreement, there had to be a rapid and profound transition towards a climate-resilient and low-carbon world. This transition posed unique challenges and opportunities in different sectors, contexts, and situations across the globe. For a Just Transition, policies had to value and include different stakeholders whether it be a trade union in Indonesia, the family of an informal coal worker in Colombia or a Paramount Queen Mother representing one of the many villages in Ghana. Its principles had to be far-reaching and multi-dimensional, considering the impacts of systemic shifts and careful not to exacerbate any current social and economic inequalities. In this case, a transition that was solely direct worker focussed or accommodated only the most obvious victims would not have been fair or just. The concept as we defined it was a holistic, multi-dimensional, cross-sectoral approach that included both the winners and losers in a transition; different communities, stakeholders and industries.

Dala developed the Indonesian consultations and portion of the report.

Approach

The research objective was to facilitate the inclusion of Just Transition strategies in the revised NDCs and Covid-19 responses of developing countries. It also sought to develop an implementation process appropriate to the unique circumstances across developing countries. The research adopted a mixed methods approach involving a review of the relevant literature, and case studies in three countries selected for their diverse regional, environmental, and socio-economic circumstances. The in-country methodologies were tailored to the domestic circumstances involving direct stakeholder engagement, semi-structured interviews, and surveys in two of the three countries.

Project activities included the writing of a report with the majority focus on the NDC, including:

  • The governments' identified climate change priorities
  • Progress toward achievement of the NDC commitments
  • Relevant legislative and regulatory instruments
  • Government departmental responsibilities and cross-portfolio engagement
  • Identification of key sector and labour-market focus for transition
  • Monitoring and evaluation measures
  • Identification of relevant stakeholders
  • Stakeholder engagement with government
  • Related social issues and policy responses
  • Government consideration of workplace impacts and proposed responses
  • Any financial issues such as donor influence.
  • Barriers to progress.

Publications

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