Supporting countries to move toward greener economies: Just Transition at COP26

COP26 counted with an active participation of tripartite constituents for the promotion of decent work and just transition

News | 13 January 2022
By Carolina Ferreira, ILO Technical Officer, Green Jobs for Latin America and the Caribbean

The 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), hosted by the United Kingdom, concluded on 13 November with a bittersweet taste. Agreed by consensus among the 197 participating countries, the Glasgow Climate Pact (GCP) is an important step to accelerate action on this decade, bringing key decision on climate change mitigation, adaptation, finance and a set of rules for the full implementation of the Paris Agreement concerning carbon markets and transparency rules, known as ‘Paris Rulebook’.

Despite undeniable progress, the final outcome fell short to increase global ambition to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees. A key setback was a last-minute change to the text softened the language from ‘the phase-out of unabated coal power’ to ‘phase-down’. This is a small yet profound change as coal is the most carbon intensive fossil fuel and eliminating its emissions is critical to get in line with the 1.5 degrees. As the United Nations António Guterres summarized, the GCP ‘was an important step, but not enough – we must accelerate climate action’.

Countries in the Caribbean region are extremely vulnerable to the impacts of climate change such as hurricanes, floods and droughts that threaten the people, economies and jobs of the subregion. Several heads of state from countries in the region present in Glasgow were vocal about the urgency of higher climate ambition to keep their nations alive and afloat from rising sea levels. For the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries, COP26 did not meet the expectations for a fast process consistent with the 1.5 degrees ambition, although they recognized that the GCP offers a narrow window of opportunity to achieve that goal.

ILO research has analyzed the linkages between nature, economy and jobs. It has provided compelling evidence that some 1.2 billion jobs depend on nature to exist, and that continued global warming leading to heat stress could result in losses of 2.2 per cent of total working time by 2030, the equivalent of 80 million full time jobs worldwide. At the same time, a just transition to zero emission economies could create 15 million net new jobs in Latin America and the Caribbean by 2030, helping also to create decent jobs to support addressing the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on jobs. A just transition is only possible if it is fair, inclusive, and leaves no one behind.

Therefore, a just transition involves maximizing the social and economic opportunities of climate action, while minimizing and managing any challenges – including through social dialogue – among all groups impacted. The ILO’s 2015 Guidelines for a Just Transition provides a policy framework to support countries transitioning to greener economies and societies.

The ILO and tripartite constituents played an active role at COP26. In particular, the ILO has engaged in both formal negotiation processes and informal side-events to urge countries to integrate clear and concrete measures to promote decent work and just transition in their climate objectives reflected in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), as well as to infuse reference to decent work and just transition in key decisions under negotiation.

An important outcome from such efforts has been the conclusion of the Just Transition Declaration. The declaration recognizes the need to ensure that no one is left behind in the transition to net zero economies – particularly those working in sectors, cities and regions reliant on carbon-intensive industries and production. More than 30 nations that signed the document commit to implement strategies that support workers, businesses and communities as countries transition to greener economies. Going forward, the ILO will support the implementation of the Declaration through the promotion and application of International Labour Standards.

Other references to decent work and just transition in key COP documents include references to just transition in the GCP cover letters in relation to mitigation and implementation (Glasgow Climate Pact CP.26 and Glasgow Climate Pact CMA.3); in the Climate and Gender paper; and in the ‘Paris Rulebook' on carbon market mechanisms. Moreover, the ILO together with tripartite constituents have launched initiatives, organized side events, and promoted collaborations.

These are all remarkable steps to bring decent work and a just transition to the heart of climate action. The ILO will continue working with its tripartite constituents in the Caribbean region for the effective realisation of climate objectives, while ensuring a just transition for all. For instance, the ILO will continue supporting countries advance decent work and just transition concretely in the implementation of NDCs and long-term plans for net zero, as well as in climate change adaptation through projects and programmes such as the Climate Action for Jobs Initiative and Partnership for Action on Green Economy.

Despite falling short at delivering the level of climate ambition expected, we cannot forget that COP26 kept open a narrow window of opportunity to avoid the worse impacts of climate change. Countries are now called on to report their progress towards more climate ambition next year, at COP27, set to take place in Egypt. Not missing out this opportunity will demand from countries immediate, rapid and large-scale reductions in emissions, while supporting those already suffering from climate impacts. A just transition that is inclusive and leaves no one behind is the way.