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Defining Just Transition

Author

Listed:
  • Giorgos Galanis

    (School of Business and Management, Queen Mary University of London (UK).)

  • Mauro Napoletano

    (GREDEG, CNRS, Université Côte d’Azur, Sciences Po, OFCE, SKEMA Business School.)

  • Lilit Popoyan

    (School of Business and Management, Queen Mary University of London (UK).)

  • Alessandro Sapio

    (University of Naples "Parthenope" (Italy))

  • Olivier Vardakoulias

    (Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe (Belgium))

Abstract

Climate change has sparked a vivid discussion on its socio-economic risks, capturing the attention of academic circles and policymakers. While it is widely argued that a low-carbon transition should be socially just, the precise criteria that policies must adhere to, in order to be universally accepted as `just', remain insufficiently defined. We draw on relevant theories of distributive justice to provide a formal definition of a just transition. According to our definition, just transition policies should minimise costs for the most vulnerable groups and also take into account the uneven responsibility for causing damages.

Suggested Citation

  • Giorgos Galanis & Mauro Napoletano & Lilit Popoyan & Alessandro Sapio & Olivier Vardakoulias, 2024. "Defining Just Transition," Working Papers 114, Queen Mary, University of London, School of Business and Management, Centre for Globalisation Research.
    • Handle: RePEc:cgs:wpaper:114
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    File URL: http://cgr.sbm.qmul.ac.uk/CGRWP114.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Balta-Ozkan, Nazmiye & Watson, Tom & Mocca, Elisabetta, 2015. "Spatially uneven development and low carbon transitions: Insights from urban and regional planning," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 85(C), pages 500-510.
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • O13 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Agriculture; Natural Resources; Environment; Other Primary Products
    • Q52 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Pollution Control Adoption and Costs; Distributional Effects; Employment Effects
    • Q54 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Climate; Natural Disasters and their Management; Global Warming
    • Q58 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Government Policy

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