Submission to the United Arab Emirates Just Transition Work Programme on the dialogues mandated by decision FCCC/PA/CMA/2023/L.14

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This report consists of a submission made in May 2024 by the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment at the London School of Economics and Political Science in response to the call for views of Parties, observers and non-Party stakeholders on the dialogues mandated by decision FCCC/PA/CMA/2023/L.14.
The submission integrates insights from across the research expertise at the Grantham Research Institute, in particular the work of the Just Transition Finance Lab, and the Climate Change Laws of the World project.
Key messages
- As echoed in a previous submission by the Grantham Research Institute to the Just Transition Work Programme (JTWP), the UNFCCC can provide an important forum for developing a shared narrative on the just transition to overcome growing political polarisation around the fairness of the net zero transition, between generations and between countries of different levels of development. The JTWP should be aware of this reality and work towards bridging existing gaps.
- The range of ‘types’ of justice seen in policymaking around the transition to net zero emissions (e.g. distributive justice, procedural justice) reflects the context within which policies are designed and implemented.
- The time sensitivity of the forthcoming rounds of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) submission in 2025 underscores the imperative for policymakers to duly account
for an inclusive approach to justice and capture the transformative potential of the
just transition. - The integration of robust metrics in NDCs, National Action Plans (NAPs) and Long-Term Low-Emissions Development Strategies (LT-LEDS) can improve the technical integrity and accountability of just transition policies and provide an enabling condition for the mobilisation and alignment of finance with just transition processes and outcomes.
- The implementation of adequate safeguards against corruption and integrity risks in climate solutions can help accelerate a just transition and reduce the risks of just transition litigation aimed at countries and corporate entities.