Connecting the Just Transitions and Business & Human Rights Agendas

“Just transitions” is an increasingly visible framing for government, business, and worker action on climate change. The concept puts the concerns and rights of workers and communities front and centre in climate transition planning, and is the topic of a recent in-depth IHRB report. 

This Briefing provides an overview of the concepts of “transitioning out” of emissions-intensive industries and “transitioning in” to more sustainable business models. Both the transition out and the transition in have potential adverse human rights impacts that should be identified and addressed as a part of the move to a net-zero world. Adopting a business and human rights approach to each can support planned, orderly transitions that are built on dialogue - as opposed to disorderly, unplanned transitions that fail to take account of workers and communities justifiable concerned about being left behind. 

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This is the second in a new series of briefings by IHRB and partners offering insights on a range of related topics that explore the connections between the climate change and human rights agendas, through a business and human rights lens. The first in this new series provides an overview of the connections between the climate change and the business and human rights agendas.

Image: US Department of Energy