IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/plo/pstr00/0000121.html

Transforming the rhetoric of Just Energy Transition Partnerships into reality: The devil lies in the details

Author

Listed:
  • Aparajita Banerjee

Abstract

Urgent political action is required to arrest the rise in global temperature within the 1.5°C target of the Paris Agreement. Rising to this challenge, a series of Just Transition Energy Partnerships (JETPs) was launched between individual Global South and a group of Global North countries since COP 26 in Glasgow. Germany, France, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union (International Partner Group or IPG countries) have established plurilateral partnerships with individual countries like South Africa, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Senegal in each JETP. These partnerships aim to help IPG countries provide long-term support to partner countries in the Global South to disengage from coal and convert to renewables for electricity generation. However, though ’just transitions’ and ’partnerships’ are potent ideas to drive such processes, it is challenging to translate these ideas from political rhetoric to policies. This paper argues that JETPs are treading on a narrow edge with a high chance of re-instantiating some of the criticism of partnerships between Global North and Global South countries that can detrimentally affect the chances of just transition. Based on academic literature on partnerships and just transition, the paper concludes that the devil lies in the details. Formalizing processes that deliver a just and fair energy transition should align with the Global South countries’ social, economic, and political realities.Author summary: Just Energy Transition Partnerships (JETPs) need to focus more on the socioeconomic considerations of coal exit in the Global South partner countries to be just and inclusive for all.

Suggested Citation

  • Aparajita Banerjee, 2024. "Transforming the rhetoric of Just Energy Transition Partnerships into reality: The devil lies in the details," PLOS Sustainability and Transformation, Public Library of Science, vol. 3(8), pages 1-22, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pstr00:0000121
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pstr.0000121
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://journals.plos.org/sustainabilitytransformation/article?id=10.1371/journal.pstr.0000121
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://journals.plos.org/sustainabilitytransformation/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pstr.0000121&type=printable
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1371/journal.pstr.0000121?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ricardo Wilson-Grau & Martha Nuñez, 2007. "Evaluating international social-change networks: a conceptual framework for a participatory approach," Development in Practice, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 17(2), pages 258-271.
    2. Andonova, Liliana B. & Piselli, Dario, 2022. "Transnational partnerships, domestic institutions, and sustainable development. The case of Brazil and the Amazon Region Protected Areas program," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 157(C).
    3. David Brown & Marion MacLellan, 2020. "A Multiscalar and Justice-Led Analysis of REDD+: A Case Study of theNorwegian–Ethiopian Partnership," Global Environmental Politics, MIT Press, vol. 20(1), pages 11-37, February.
    4. Benjamin K. Sovacool & Mari Martiskainen & Andrew Hook & Lucy Baker, 2019. "Decarbonization and its discontents: a critical energy justice perspective on four low-carbon transitions," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 155(4), pages 581-619, August.
    5. Marta Zdravkovic & Linley Chiwona-Karltun & Eren Zink, 2016. "Experiences and perceptions of South–South and North–South scientific collaboration of mathematicians, physicists and chemists from five southern African universities," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 108(2), pages 717-743, August.
    6. Robert Lindner, 2023. "Green hydrogen partnerships with the Global South. Advancing an energy justice perspective on “tomorrow's oil”," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 31(2), pages 1038-1053, April.
    7. Sanya Carley & David M. Konisky, 2020. "The justice and equity implications of the clean energy transition," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 5(8), pages 569-577, August.
    8. Sigrid Bjerre Andersen & Steffen Jensen, 2017. "Partnerships as Interpellation," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 29(1), pages 93-107, January.
    9. Malgorzata Blicharska & Richard J. Smithers & Magdalena Kuchler & Ganesh K. Agrawal & José M. Gutiérrez & Ahmed Hassanali & Saleemul Huq & Silvia H. Koller & Sugata Marjit & Hassan M. Mshinda & Hj Has, 2017. "Steps to overcome the North–South divide in research relevant to climate change policy and practice," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 7(1), pages 21-27, January.
    10. Wustenhagen, Rolf & Wolsink, Maarten & Burer, Mary Jean, 2007. "Social acceptance of renewable energy innovation: An introduction to the concept," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 35(5), pages 2683-2691, May.
    11. Stavros Afionis & Lindsay C. Stringer & Nicola Favretto & Julia Tomei & Marcos S. Buckeridge, 2016. "Unpacking Brazil’s Leadership in the Global Biofuels Arena: Brazilian Ethanol Diplomacy in Africa," Global Environmental Politics, MIT Press, vol. 16(3), pages 127-150, August.
    12. Brinkerhoff, Jennifer M., 2002. "Assessing and improving partnership relationships and outcomes: a proposed framework," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 25(3), pages 215-231, August.
    13. Lukas Hermwille & Stefan Lechtenböhmer & Max Åhman & Harro Asselt & Chris Bataille & Stefan Kronshage & Annika Tönjes & Manfred Fischedick & Sebastian Oberthür & Amit Garg & Catherine Hall & Patrick J, 2022. "Author Correction: A climate club to decarbonize the global steel industry," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 12(11), pages 1068-1068, November.
    14. Alex Lenferna, 2023. "South Africa’s unjust climate reparations: a critique of the Just Energy Transition Partnership," Review of African Political Economy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 50(177-178), pages 491-501, October.
    15. Arturo Vallejos-Romero & Minerva Cordoves-Sánchez & César Cisternas & Felipe Sáez-Ardura & Ignacio Rodríguez & Antonio Aledo & Álex Boso & Jordi Prades & Boris Álvarez, 2022. "Green Hydrogen and Social Sciences: Issues, Problems, and Future Challenges," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-18, December.
    16. Honglei Liu & Qiang Wu & Jianxin Chen & Mingjun Wang & Di Zhao & Cheng Duan, 2021. "Environmental Impacts Related to Closed Mines in Inner Mongolia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-19, December.
    17. Chapman, Andrew J. & McLellan, Benjamin C. & Tezuka, Tetsuo, 2018. "Prioritizing mitigation efforts considering co-benefits, equity and energy justice: Fossil fuel to renewable energy transition pathways," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 219(C), pages 187-198.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Negrete, Moira & Fuentes, Marcelo & Kraslawski, Andrzej & Irarrazaval, Felipe & Herrera-León, Sebastián, 2024. "Socio-environmental implications of the decarbonization of copper and lithium mining and mineral processing," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 95(C).
    2. Giuseppina Siciliano & Linda Wallbott & Frauke Urban & Anh Nguyen Dang & Markus Lederer, 2021. "Low‐carbon energy, sustainable development, and justice: Towards a just energy transition for the society and the environment," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 29(6), pages 1049-1061, November.
    3. Walton, Andrea & McCrea, Rod, 2020. "Understanding social licence to operate for onshore gas development: How the underlying drivers fit together," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 279(C).
    4. Dallaire, Camille Ouellet & Jekanowski, Rachel Webb & Roberts, Jocelyne, 2025. "Left behind: A critical assessment of gender equity in Project Nujio'qonik's environmental impact statement in the context of Newfoundland's wind-to-hydrogen industry11The authors certify that they ha," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 394(C).
    5. Doreen Larkailey Lartey & Mark M. Akrofi, 2025. "Policy efforts and challenges in promoting biomass briquettes for clean cooking energy transition in ghana: a multi-stakeholder perspective," Sustainability Nexus Forum, Springer, vol. 33(1), pages 1-15, December.
    6. Bates, Alison & Guannel, Greg & Quinones, Luis Armando Pagan, 2024. "Hurricanes make headlines, but chronic utility failure drives energy (in)security in the U.S. Virgin Islands," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 195(C).
    7. Gordon, Joel A. & Balta-Ozkan, Nazmiye & Nabavi, Seyed Ali, 2022. "Beyond the triangle of renewable energy acceptance: The five dimensions of domestic hydrogen acceptance," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 324(C).
    8. Gordon, Joel A. & Balta-Ozkan, Nazmiye & Nabavi, Seyed Ali, 2022. "Homes of the future: Unpacking public perceptions to power the domestic hydrogen transition," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 164(C).
    9. Nwadiaru, Ogechi Vivian & Bates, Alison & Goldstein, Anna & Cantor, Julia & Cowan, Makaylah & Shokooh, Marina Pineda & Harper, Krista, 2025. "Imagining a future without fossil fuels: From mid-transition to net zero in a New England environmental justice city," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 389(C).
    10. Jan-Philipp Sasse & Evelina Trutnevyte, 2023. "A low-carbon electricity sector in Europe risks sustaining regional inequalities in benefits and vulnerabilities," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-15, December.
    11. Lisanne Simons & Martina Ziefle & Katrin Arning, 2024. "How to shape communication for CO2-derived insulation boards considering different accepter profiles," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 26(10), pages 25367-25396, October.
    12. Baxter, Jamie & Ellis, Geraint & Wilson, Sara & McAteer, Ben, 2024. "Community-based wind energy development does not work? Empirical evidence from residents in Canada and Ireland," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 191(C).
    13. May, Elin & Li, Ruiyao & Shen, Jianxiang & Cai, Wenjia & Anger-Kraavi, Annela, 2025. "A review of recent Progress on social inequality impacts of low-carbon energy transitions," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 391(C).
    14. Dong, Kangyin & Yang, Senmiao & Wang, Jianda & Dong, Xiucheng, 2023. "Revisiting energy justice: Is renewable energy technology innovation a tool for realizing a just energy system?," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 183(C).
    15. Mariusz Kruczek & Malgorzata Markowska & Aikaterini Servou & Christos Roumpos & Eleni Mertiri & Priscilla Ernst & Jaroslaw Darmosz & Thomas Kempka, 2025. "Navigating Socio-Technical Challenges in Energy Efficiency: Case Studies on Hybrid Pumped-Hydropower Storage in Poland and Greece," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-32, January.
    16. Ponce Oliva, R.D. & Estay, M. & Barrientos, M. & Estevez, R.A. & Gelcich, S. & Vásquez-Lavín, F., 2024. "Emerging energy sources' social acceptability: Evidence from marine-based energy projects," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 198(C).
    17. Howell, Anthony, 2025. "Cash transfers and the Han-Minority household energy poverty gap in rural China," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 141(C).
    18. Choi, Jihye & Kim, Justine Jihyun & Lee, Jongsu, 2024. "Public willingness to pay for mitigating local conflicts over the construction of renewable energy facilities: A contingent valuation study in South Korea," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 185(C).
    19. Fábio T. F. Silva & Alexandre Szklo & Amanda Vinhoza & Ana Célia Nogueira & André F. P. Lucena & Antônio Marcos Mendonça & Camilla Marcolino & Felipe Nunes & Francielle M. Carvalho & Isabela Tagomori , 2022. "Inter-sectoral prioritization of climate technologies: insights from a Technology Needs Assessment for mitigation in Brazil," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 27(7), pages 1-39, October.
    20. Davide Iannantuono & Alessia Spada & Mariarosaria Lombardi, 2025. "Social Acceptance for the Sustainability of the Agri-Biomethane Supply Chain: A PLS-SEM Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-17, September.

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:plo:pstr00:0000121. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: sustaintransform (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://journals.plos.org/sustainabilitytransformation/ .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.