The ‘just transition’ threat to our Energy and Climate 2030 targets

The term ‘just transition’ has increased in popularity in academic and policymaking literature over the last few years. This policy perspective tracks its development in policy over the period 2015 to 2020. An assessment of just transition policies to-date reveals staggered plans to phase out the fossil fuel industry and beginning with a coal phase-out. This type of just transition policy will derail the development of low-carbon economies worldwide. These policies through establishing just transition funds in 2019 and 2020 will result in subsidising the fossil fuel industry indefinitely given that coal, oil and gas will have to be phased out in turn. Proactive policy needs to be developed and finance re-allocated to deliver the just transition to a low-carbon economy. In essence a just transition policy overhaul is needed to complete revision if society is to achieve our Energy & Climate 2030 goals and targets.