Overall Objective 

An inclusive and Just Transition involves maximizing the social and economic opportunities of climate action, while minimizing and carefully managing any challenges such as loss of jobs and exacerbated poverty, particularly amongst women, youth, indigenous peoples, elderly, refugees, informal workers, and workers of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). The Just Transition and Sustainable Economies Day explored building individual capacities through technical and vocational training, green entrepreneurship, and skills development. 

Topics 

• International Labour Organization - How can we green skills for a just transition? -  With perspectives and experiences from industry, trade unions, governments and experts, this session aimed to create a shared understanding and improved capacity to identify and develop skills for a just transition towards environmentally sustainable economies and societies for all, and explore innovative solutions to better equip the current and future workforce with the relevant skills to contribute to a just transition.  

• World Resource Institute - How to integrate Just and Gender Inclusive Transition strategies into next generation NDCs and LT LEDS - Drawing on a panel of national experts from a diverse range of countries, this session provided an overarching view of the importance of including Just Transition strategies in local policy documents and aligning it with NDCs and LT LEDS. Experts shared examples of their successes, what data and tools were needed and challenges they’ve faced when creating national Just Transition strategies.  

• Commonwealth Secretariat & SLYCAN Trust - Strengthening Capacities for Innovative Just Transition Approaches for Gender and Youth Integration into Climate Action- The session highlighted capacity-building needs and approaches for mainstreaming cross-cutting issues into a just economic transition, including gender, youth empowerment, and elements of Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE). At the event, the Commonwealth Secretariat also launched a new report titled ‘Gender Integration in NDCs – A Commonwealth Best Practice Guide’ to share practical experiences and examples from the Commonwealth on strengthening capacities and financing for a gender-just transition through climate action within and beyond NDC Implementation. SLYCAN Trust presented the Global Youth Forum on Climate Change, an initiative of SLYCAN Trust Youth to facilitate youth engagement and empowerment through partnerships and collaborations at national and international level.  

• The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights- Capacity-building for rights-based climate action - This roundtable discussion facilitated an exchange of information about capacity building resources for the integration of human rights in climate action and sought to identify capacity-building priorities in this area. It also served as the vehicle for launch of new guidance on integrating human rights in nationally determined contributions. 

• AGORA - Enabling Just Transition: Policy, Technology, and Community Engagement - In a panel discussion format, a select group of civil society experts from the EnerTracks Alumni Network discussed examples of best practices, showcasing challenges and lessons learned as well as providing insight into regional and national differences when it comes to pursuing a Just Transition.  

• UN High-level Champions, ITUC, Skill lab and Clean Cooking Alliance - Futures Lab: Just Transition and the Future of Work – Climate Champions spoke about currently available solutions that can be scaled to ensure a just transition for a net zero resilient future. Collectively the session projected how work, workers and the workplace will evolve in the years ahead, due to climate change, and shared ideas, solutions, and tools to design a future of work that works for all in line with SDG 8 (Promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all). 

• The Katowice Committee on Impacts (KCI) - Capacity-building networking hour with the KCI – The KCI highlighted the importance of impacts assessments in undertaking just transition and enhance collaboration through networking with organizations that provide capacity-building. 

There is a need for multi-sectoral collaborations and effective cooperation at institutional levels across public, private, and civil society spaces. To this effect, this thematic day also sought to explore coherence and coordination of capacity-building efforts in enhancing cooperation amongst employers, trade unions, ministries, and research and training institutions for a just transition towards environmentally sustainable economies.