Just transition is being proposed to address the injustice stemming from the fact that "[C]limate change creates a double inequality whereas developed countries are responsible for the bulk of the negative consequences of climate change, but remain the least affected by them, while the countries least responsible for climate change are most adversely affected by it.". In addition, trade-related policies put in place by developed economies can limit developed countries' market access, trade revenues, and ability to mobilise domestic resources. Trade rules and policies that, for instance, restrict access to the necessary technology can slow or limit developing countries' transition from fossil-intensive energy systems and deliver low-carbon industrialisation. The energy transition will also require investing about 1.5 times today's global GDP until 2050 in renewable energy generation, energy efficiency, and energy infrastructure.
But just transition is more than energy transition. Given the centrality of fossil fuels to the global economy and the deep integration of almost all sectors and communities in the carbon value chain, decarbonisation entails the systemic transformation of the whole economy and society. A just transition requires maximising co-benefits while minimising trade-offs between environmental, and social and development objectives, as embodied in the SDGs. Also, the preamble of the Paris Agreement includes the imperative of a just transition of the workforce and the creation of decent work and quality. However, no internationally agreed definition exists, and the focus of discussions has varied greatly.
This session will explore the:
- Main constraints developing countries face
- Capacities they need
- Multilateral dimensions of the just transition
- What are the key elements to unlock just transitions?
- Tansparency, governance, stakeholder engagement, and integrity issues in climate action, energy transition, and NDCs
This event will be live streamed
Programme
Moderator: Ms. Chantal Line Carpentier, UNCTAD
Panelists:
- Mr. Richard Kozul-Wright, UNCTAD
- Ms. Camilla Roman, Policy Specialist, Priority Action Programme on Just Transition, ILO
- Mr. Simon Hess, Head, Monitoring & Evaluation, Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF)
- Indonesia Representative (tbc)
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Chantal Line Carpentier joined DITC, UNCTAD after serving as Chief, UNCTAD New York Office of the Secretary-General, since 2014. She brings to the Branch over 25 years of work experience in International Trade, and Environmental and Agro-Economics.
Prior to working with UNCTAD, she supported the Commission on Sustainable Development and served as Major Groups (of non-State actors) Coordinator for the UN Rio+20 Conference and the SDGs negotiations at the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), and supported the sustainable consumption and production and sustainable agriculture negotiations. As Head of the North American Free Trade Agreement Commission for Environmental Cooperations, she lead work on the nexus of environment, economy, and trade. She also served as Agro-environmental policy analyst for Winrock International, and post-Doctoral fellow/Brazil office manager for the International Food Policy Research Institute.
She obtained a PhD. in Agro-Environmental Economics from Virginia Technology and MSc. and BSc. from McGill University. She has an extensive list of publications on sustainable agriculture, trade and environment, sustainable consumption and production, financing for sustainable development, stakeholder engagement, global value chains, micro, small and medium enterprises, and economic empowerment of women.
Richard Kozul-Wright is the director of UNCTAD’s globalization and development strategies division.
He has worked at the UN in both New York and Geneva and published widely on economic issues, including in the Economic Journal, the Cambridge Journal of Economics, the Journal of Development Studies, and the Oxford Review of Economic Policy.
He has co-written books such as The Resistible Rise of Market Fundamentalism with Paul Rayment and co-edited volumes of Transnational Corporations and the Global Economy, Economic Insecurity and Development, Securing Peace, Climate Protection and Development and Industrial Policy.
He also co-edited Transforming Economies: Making Industrial Policy Work for Growth, Jobs and Development with the International Labour Organization.
He holds a PhD degree in economics from the University of Cambridge in the UK.
Camilla is a policy specialist in the ILO’s global Green Jobs programme. She coordinates technical assistance on a Just Transition towards sustainable economies, leading the development of policy tools and the design and implementation of projects and partnerships. She has previously managed capacity building programmes on policies for better productivity and working conditions in Small and Medium Enterprises with the ILO Enterprises department.
Before joining the ILO’s HQ, Camilla was the Deputy Programme Manager of ILO-IFC Better Factories Cambodia (Better Work), and focused on advancing responsible labour practices in the garment and footwear supply chain. Earlier on, she coordinated Greener Business Asia, a project supporting sustainable enterprise development in Thailand and the Philippines, and the Green Jobs initiative in India.
Camilla holds a doctorate from the University of Oxford with a thesis on learning and innovation in SME clusters and industrial districts.
Simon is the Head of Monitoring and Evaluation for the EIF and the focal point in the EIF for thematic issues related to the 2030 Development Agenda, Agriculture and SPS/TBT issues.
Bringing more than 15 years' experience in trade and development across Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Simon has worked as an advisor with the Government of Lao PDR and as a director of an international development firm based in the UK and South Africa. Having spent most of his life in Africa, studying in South Africa and Canada, Simon has a Masters' degree in Economics focused around award winning research on industrial development and trade. Amongst other areas, Simon has worked on regional integration, sustainability certification, and practical trade support.
He continues research in areas such as the future direction for Aid for Trade.
28th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28)
30 November to 12 December 2023, Expo City, Dubai
UN Climate Change Conference
30 Nov - 12 Dec 2023
COP28 Trade House Pavilion Programme
1-12 December 2023, Expo City, Dubai
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Contact
Chantal Line Carpentier, carpentier@un.org
Claudia Contreras, claudia.contreras@unctad.org
