Authors: Atelier itd, Dark Matter Labs, Viable Cities, Climate KIC
Published/Created by: The project is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
The project, which took place between June 2023 and November 2024, aimed to be integrated into existing processes within the Spanish and Swedish national platforms, citiES 2030 (Spain) and Viable Cities (Sweden), as well as in European platforms such as NetZeroCities and CapaCITIES, where cities and their support agents were working on common processes around the EU Mission of Climate Neutral and Smart Cities.
Over the course of the project, the project partners undertook research, conversations and workshops, in direct engagement with the Spanish and the Swedish platforms, in a series of targeted activities. In addition, the project used an exploratory approach: rather than following a pre-defined path, the project partners initiated conversations, explored possibilities, experimented with different methods and adapted strategies according to findings and changing circumstances.
What will you find here?
- Narratives on Just Transitions | What are Just Transitions, and why do they matter?
- Case studies | What do Just Transitions look and feel like in place-based contexts?
- Insights for governance of national platforms | How to integrate a Just Transition approach in national platforms?
- Insights for Climate City Contracts | How to integrate a Just Transition approach in Climate City Contracts?
- Insights for city climate action | How to integrate a Just Transition approach in city climate action?
- Conversation prompts | How to facilitate dialogues around Just Transitions?
Why is it challenging to discuss Just Transitions?
Discussing Just Transitions is challenging due to the topic’s inherent complexity and broad scope. Over the years, the concept has evolved to encompass various principles such as justice, fairness, equity and inclusion. While this flexibility has allowed diverse groups to unite around a common vision, it also complicates efforts to establish a precise definition. This lack of clarity can lead to uncertainty about what a Just Transition really entails, especially in multi-stakeholder policy contexts where different perspectives are at play.
How to integrate a Just Transition approach in national platforms’ structures?
The integration of a Just Transition approach in the core structures of national platforms was investigated through an examination of the essential functions these platforms perform in supporting cities and communities on their path to climate neutrality.
This analysis looks at six core functions of national platforms:
♻️ Governance
? Funding and resource allocation
✅ Political and institutional support
For each function, a definition is provided, theimportance of a Just Transition approach within that function is outlined, and possible actions are shared.
Read more at Accelerating Cities Just Transitions: Insights for Cities and National Platforms© 2024
❗Disclaimer: The findings presented reflect the independent conclusions drawn from the project partners’ process. While care has been taken to ensure that the findings are relevant and accurate, they are not intended to provide an exhaustive, in-depth analysis, but rather an overview of the current challenges and opportunities for Just Transitions in urban contexts.