November 14, 2024

On 7-9 September, Asian thought leaders and decision-makers from more than 20 countries gathered for much-needed discussions on urgent climate action, with hundreds of practitioners, researchers, activists and many others participating in the second Just Transition Forum in Asia (JTFA).

The forum comes amid worsening climate impacts in the region – from devastating floods in Pakistan that have killed more than a thousand people and cost US$10 billion in losses and damage to an unprecedented drought in China is drying up the Yangtze River that 400 million people rely on. .

JTFA 2022 brings together United Nations agencies, think tanks, private, transport and energy sectors, civil society, labor movements and multilateral development banks, to work together to concretely shape a socially inclusive and transformative climate future for Asia.

The transition from fossil fuels in Asia, especially the phase-out of coal by 2040, will reduce the additional effects of the disaster and provide opportunities for sustainable development, according to a report by JTFA organizers Friedrich- Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Regional Climate and Energy Project in Asia and Climate Action Network Southeast Asia (CANSEA).

In his keynote speech, Peter Govindasamy said: “we are experiencing the double effects of the energy transition: the effects of climate change and the economic and social effects of the mitigation measures adopted in response to the change -or the climate.”

Govindasamy is the Co-chair of the Katowice Committee of Experts on Impacts of the Implementation of Response Measures (KCI) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

He added: “Just Transition policies are at the nexus of this double effect. Just Transition is needed to improve the potential negative economic and social impact of mitigation measures.”

“Energy transitions are not only socio-technical but deeply socio-political,” said Jenny Yi-Chen Han, Research Associate at the international think tank Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI).

Han added: “If existing power asymmetries related to resource access and distribution are not addressed, the same structural inequalities will simply be replicated and transferred to new regimes of energy.”

The pioneering efforts of civil society groups advocating for a just transition from fossil fuels to clean energy in Asia have also inspired its allies around the world to organize a Global Just Transition Dialogue in September 12th, before the COP27 Egypt climate talks in November that are expected to address the just transition as well as loss and damage.

Quotes from international experts

“Access to knowledge for all stakeholders is essential to achieve a Just Transition.” – Timon Wehnert, Head, Berlin office, Wuppertal Institute

“The fact that humanity needs to move to more sustainable systems and practices is not in question. What we have is a choice – we can use the climate imperative to make positive changes towards equity and justice or will continue the current unfair and unjust systems, which will worsen the condition of the planet and its people. Just Transition is an opportunity to make positive changes.” – Neha Sharma, Senior Evaluation and Learning Specialist, Climate Investment Funds (CIF)

“Without careful and inclusive planning, the urgent and deep changes needed to address the climate crisis could leave people behind and undermine sustainable development. We face an unprecedented challenge to achieve -ot a reasonable change, and although it is, of course, a daunting task, the good news is that we have many tools and experiences to draw on as we tackle the challenges ahead. – Hugh Searight, Operations Officer, CIF

“Many social, economic and environmental issues must be understood and addressed if the impacts – and benefits – of the transition to a green economy are to be managed equitably. Diverse expertise and consistent stakeholder engagement are essential in planning and implementing a process for achieving a just transition. Our Just Transition Toolbox highlights some of the strategies and methods for building and maintaining meaningful engagement with various stakeholders.” – Aaron Atteridge, Senior Climate Change Specialist, CIF

“Factory farming is taking a huge, hidden toll on our climate and planet. If factory farming continues to expand, the targets of the Paris Climate Agreement will be impossible to reach, and a safe climate that future is unattainable. – Angel Flores, International External Affairs Manager, World Animal Protection

“When considering Just Transition processes for the livestock sector, we must consider an ecosystem approach. Managed well, transitions to environmentally and socially sustainable economies can be a strong driver to create jobs, improved protections, and economic and social justice for workers and communities.” – Guna Subramaniam, Southeast Asia Advisor, Institute for Human Rights and Business

“Industrial animal farming is the biggest cause of deforestation, land use change, pollution and antibiotic use, persistence of antimicrobial resistance, virus epidemics and related diseases. meat consumption. A fair livestock transition and responsible increase of sustainable and humane proteins while reducing industrial animal proteins are essential for the health of people, animals and the planet. Kate Blaszak, Director, Sustainable Proteins, Asia Research and Engagement (ARE)

“Today’s rapid urbanization intersects with significant changes in climate variables projected for the 21st century. The future trajectory of urban development will be shaped by how the challenges of local development and strategic climate objectives are balanced, integrated and prioritized.This requires renewed governance and cooperation between the public and private sectors, non-state actors and above all, local communities. – Siraz Hirani Senior Program Management Specialist, Mahila Housing Trust

“Cities of all sizes and shapes host the aspirations of many young people in India. Their future is likely to be affected by emerging environmental challenges. By 2030, we want to experience a city where societies thrive, not just survive. We believe in reaching the political solutions we seek through active citizens and leaders. – Arvind Balasubramanian Director, Socratus Foundation for Collective Wisdom

“Participatory art practices in movements have the power to cut cultural and linguistic barriers and bring people together in a moment of collective engagement. Art can influence the way we think or act. It is a powerful tool to can make a positive change in society.” – Tanisha Arora Senior Creative Strategist, Purpose

India

“For an inclusive coal phase below there is a need not only for a strong plan but financial. Public finances, even if affected by the reduction, remain critical and must be supported by private flows. There is a need for joint thinking of public and private institutions regarding new financial instruments and important sources of finance. – Suranjali Tandon, Associate Professor, National Institute of Public Finance and Policy (NIPFP)

“Just Transition in an unjust world is the new age rhetoric. Justice demands radical change – social, economic and political. – Simran Grover, CEO and Founder, Bask Research Foundation

“The decline of coal in an economy undergoing structural slowdown comes with many equity challenges. Understanding the challenges is key to better planning for a clean and green economy ”- Aparna Roy, Fellow and Lead, Climate Change and Energy, Center for New Economic Diplomacy (CNED) at the Observer Research Foundation (ORF)

“Financing for the green transition must be done with enough understanding of what qualifies as green. We need frameworks for that. It will also increase investor confidence.” – Neha Kumar, India Program Manager for the Climate Bonds Initiative (CBI)

“The coal phase down strategy is different from the coal phase out strategy. In a way, this is a very complicated proposition. Therefore, unpacking this puzzle against the backdrop of the coal phase down is an important question to address. – Abhishek Kumar, Founding partner, INDICC Associates

Indonesia

“When we are talking about the energy transition, all stakeholders must be involved to ensure that nothing is left behind.” – Tendy Gunawan, National Program Officer, International Labor Organization (ILO), Jakarta Office

“Building the capacity of workers is an important part of a fair energy transition.” – Rita Tambunan, APHEDA/International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) Consultant, Innovative Regions for a Just Energy Transition (IKI JET) project in Indonesia

“The inclusion of women in the simple energy transition is important because it will raise their awareness to achieve their rights. It will help them improve their well-being and health, economic growth, productivity and efficiency.” – Hening Parlan, Member of Mitra Hijau Foundation and National Environment Coordinator, National Environment and Disaster Management Institution, Aisyiyah, Indonesia

Thailand

“As Chair of the Standing Committee on Labor, it is my duty to activate all relevant government agencies to determine the impact of the energy transition on workers and make reasonable transition policies for them.” – mr. Suthep Ou-oun, Member of the House of Representatives, Move Forward Party and Chairperson of the House Committee on Labor

“Political defense of the interests of fossil fuel producers is more dangerous than ever because of global warming. Environmental issues cannot be solved quickly, and there is not much time to make a fair energy transition for of workers.” – Assoc.Prof.Dr. Kiriya Kolkulkarn, Faculty of Economics, Thammasat University

“Future energy planning is not only about having enough energy with the lowest carbon footprint, but also ensuring that everyone can survive the change in the transition of energy generation and its consequences.” – Revealed by Assoc. Prof.Dr. Chalie Charoenlarpnopparu, Sirindhorn International Institute of Technology (SIIT), Thammasat University

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