Navigating the Just Transition: Seven Key Pillars for City Leaders to Adopt for an Equitable and Resilient Future
Equitable Cities Consulting, LLC was thrilled to have partnered with Econsult Solutions Inc. (ESI) to publish the below article in their publication Present Value in August 2024. This content is part of Econsult Solutions’ thought leadership initiative, ESI Center for the Future of Cities, which brings together experts in urban economics, policy, and strategy to craft new evidence-based research on the most important issues facing cities around the world, and to provide consulting services for public and private sector organizations working in urban settings.
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Navigating the Just Transition: Seven Key Pillars for City Leaders to Adopt for an Equitable and Resilient Future
In an era marked by the urgency of sustainability, the concept of a just transition emerges as a beacon of hope for a more equitable and resilient future. The essence of a just transition lies in ensuring that every individual is included in this transformation, optimizing job opportunities arising from climate action, and ensuring that no one is left behind in the process. In order to restrict the rise in temperature to 1.5°C as agreed to in the 2015 Paris Agreement, there is a critical need for a substantial reduction in global emissions by the year 2030. Achieving this goal necessitates a transformative shift towards a net-zero economy within an accelerated time frame. With over half (55%) of the world’s population living in urban areas, according to the United Nations, it is clear that cities have an important role to play in ensuring local climate change programs, regulations, and policies that are grounded in equity. The good news is that many mayors are strongly committed to inclusive climate action, but this doesn’t mean they have all the tools and resources needed at their disposal. In order to assist cities in driving this critical transition, C40 commissioned Equitable Cities Consulting to develop a global toolkit for city leaders, to navigate the challenges and opportunities of the Just Transition.
The toolkit highlights seven key pillars that cities should adopt to ensure a just transition:
Bold and Committed City Leadership
The mayor or chief executive should make an explicit commitment to just transition, brought to action through a mandate and by utilizing their chain of command, to position just transition (or related principles such as Green New Deal, green jobs, etc.) as a central component of their stated platform of policy priorities.
Economic Landscape Survey and Needs Assessment
Analyzing existing conditions and needs to provide a clear roadmap for green economic growth. Because just transition is centered around equity, all collected data should incorporate socioeconomic and demographic data to determine existing disparities and future potential impacts on equity. Key data and metrics to map include employment by industry, skills gaps, tree canopy and heat index measurements, housing stock condition and age, health indicators, environmental contamination, as well as car ownership and public transport use.
Diverse and Inclusive Stakeholder Engagement
Effective stakeholder engagement ensures diverse voices are heard, fostering transparency and collaboration in decision-making processes. Cities should ensure that trained facilitators engage with communities, businesses, and organizations to build inclusive strategies for the just transition while thoughtfully and intentionally addressing past harms and injustices, especially to marginalized communities. The C40 toolkit includes resources for cities to map stakeholders, ensure culturally competent engagement processes and develop inclusive governance models.
Local, Regional, and International Advocacy
Advocacy and coalition-building are essential for cities to drive systemic and large-scale change. By advocating for policy shifts and building partnerships with other government entities, cities can amplify their impact and push for lasting change. The toolkit includes some suggested tactics for messaging (page 54) to city residents about just transition work, such as:
Choose simple language over jargon
Focus on impacts of global warming, not the cause
Emphasize that the environment and the economy are interconnected to counter the argument that climate action negatively impacts the economy
Emphasize the gravity of the situation, but without provoking too much fear
Adopting Just Transition Initiatives
It is critical for cities to develop a just transition-focused programmatic and policy agenda based on the local context. One of the main challenges cities will face is staying true to their roadmap or policy agenda, while also remaining nimble so as to adapt to unexpected situations. As a general rule, policy and decision-makers should always specifically consider equity when developing any climate change initiatives and, conversely, consider sustainability for any equity-centered actions. The toolkit offers advice on integrating equity into various policy agendas, such as transportation, affordable housing, clean energy, waste management, and workforce development.
Measurable Goals, Milestones, and Tracking Mechanisms
Establishing measurable goals, milestones, and tracking mechanisms allow cities to monitor progress towards the Just Transition. Tracking key indicators and outcomes help cities evaluate the efficacy of their strategies and adjust course as needed. The C40 toolkit advises that there are three primary categories of outcomes that cities should track – environmental improvements, societal impact and engagement process. While many cities already track the first two, the third is critical to document to ensure an inclusive process is pursued. Suggested key performance indicators and tracking methods for each category are provided within the toolkit.
Enlisting Resources and Building Lasting Funding Streams for Just Transition
City governments do not have big enough budgets or enough unilateral power to address the magnitude of just transition needs on their own. Exploring innovative financing options, engaging with philanthropic partners, and forming strategic diplomatic and financial partnerships can help cities to secure resources for a sustainable transition. The toolkit discusses several financing options cities could draw upon to support financing, including:
Dedicated tax or pricing mechanisms
In a world where diverse cities grapple with the complexities of just transition, united efforts are key to navigating the challenges of climate change effectively and inclusively. The goal of the C40 toolkit is not only to provide tools, but also to encourage Mayors to take bold and intentional action and to elevate their own efforts to a shared global platform. The seven key pillars serve as universal foundations for success, empowering every city leader to act decisively, regardless of their unique circumstances, to collectively shape a sustainable future for all.