To avoid the worst impacts of the climate crisis, governments agreed the landmark Paris Agreement in 2015, which set out the temperature goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial temperatures. This means a rapid and deep decarbonisation of our economic sectors, and specifically, a global transition from fossil fuel to a renewable-energy based economy. Considered to be the heart of Parties contribution to the Paris Agreement goals, Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) play a vital role in charting national plans towards achieving this goal.
To ensure the energy transition delivers on sustainable development goals promoting social and economic development, all national climate plans should include just transition policies with particular reference to a ‘just energy transition. This should provide an enabling environment and incentives to ensure businesses develop credible, robust and just energy transition plans, aligned with national climate ambition. NDCs should, for example, assist businesses and governments working together to deliver decent and green jobs, social protection, upskilling and reskilling initiatives, and establish effective social dialogue with unions and employer and business member organizations as part of the transition.
The checklist below expands on WWF’s existing guidance through the NDCs We Want Checklist, specifically cross-checking criteria ‘Just Transition Policies’ across others, applying a just transition lens to our recommendations for improved and effective NDCs. This aims to provide a list of points for consideration to facilitate enhanced just transition planning, specifically in energy sector, within NDCs 3.0.