TLDR: Tackling climate change can be hardest on those who aren’t even responsible for it
In this week’s Brunch, BT’s Kelly Ng delves into the “just transition” – tackling the real-life implications of sweeping actions to protect our planet.
Jeanette Tan
ASSUMING everyone agrees that all countries need to reduce their carbon emissions, what is the best way to accomplish such a reduction? The principle behind the just transition argues that a greener economy is just as important as a fairer and more inclusive one.
Why is this important?
Many countries would be hit hard if they were to outlaw environment-damaging industries such as fossil fuels, either because fossil fuels are their main sources of energy or important sources of income.
Yet, such countries often contribute the least to damaging emissions.
A just transition requires special consideration of these factors.
What would a just transition look like?
To give one example: In the coastal Indian state of Gujarat, slum dwellers are not extended subsidies to kit their roofs with solar panels because they aren’t legal owners of their improvised housing.
For them, a just transition would include better housing conditions and schemes that are accessible – both in terms of understanding and finances.
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What needs to happen to support a just transition?
Investors are incentivised to pull money out of environment-damaging sectors and plough them into greener technologies or industries.
Applying the just transition imperative would involve investing in the transition of carbon-heavy industries to greener business models.
Delve deeper into these issues and the solutions proposed for a fairer way forward in this week’s edition of Brunch.
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