Just Transitions to Net-Zero Carbon Emissions for All (JustTrans4ALL)

© JustTrans4ALL

We aim to develop, quantify and test the first comprehensive set of just transition scenarios towards a net-zero carbon society. We will combine a soft-systems analysis approach grounded in ethical reasoning with quantitative, empirical, and prospective model-based techniques, contributing to advancing systems analysis. We will pursue the following research plan:

1. identify the fairness elements that are relevant for just transitions and combine them in a holistic framework, considering distributional, procedural, and restorative justice aspects, across population groups, countries, and generations.
2. expand concepts on overcoming multidimensional poverty and inequality that provide decent living standards, and on measuring human wellbeing (i.e., Years of Good Life).
3. apply this new framework to empirically investigate how different forms of governance and human capital influence just transitions to net zero carbon emissions and what their human wellbeing implications are.
4. develop a [set of] prospective just transition scenario[s] to assess how alternative pathways can ensure a fair distribution of wellbeing over time and space.
5. test the framework and scenarios with IIASA models on selected cases.

JustTrans4All will enhance IIASA’s policy impact by providing guidance on designing policies for socio-ecological transformation that enjoy societal support and leave no one behind. NMOs are invited to collaborate in developing and applying the new framework and scenarios to their country’s context and engage in capacity enhancement for early-career researchers.