The plan says “a sustainable and equitable solution to the climate crisis must be founded on meaningful and effective social dialogue and participation”, noting that a global transition to low emissions “opens up opportunities and challenges for sustainable economic growth and poverty alleviation”. provides”.
The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) said after COP27 that it welcomed the UN plan, but urged countries to respect labor rights and human rights in any transition by involving unions in decision-making. Be committed
Eric Manzi, ITUC-Africa’s deputy secretary-general, said his continent’s wealth is “desperately needed to ensure the transition informal jobs into decent jobs formalized with skills training and social protection”.
“It’s a way to distribute it equally to workers in poor and rich countries,” he said in a statement.
Donor governments are testing a new approach to providing that support to developing countries through “Just Energy Transition Partnerships” (JETPs), which have so far committed $8.5 billion and $10 billion in international public finance for South Africa and Indonesia, respectively are supported by
Discussions are underway for similar deals with Vietnam, India and Senegal – although they have moved slowly, partly because all three countries are still planning to increase production and use of fossil fuels.
The South Africa JETP investment plan released in the run-up to COP27 includes steps to consult with communities in areas where coal mines and coal-fired power plants will close, as well as to implement social welfare plans To diversify the economy and provide training for the jobs of the future.
Funding for whom?
But climate justice advocates worry that JETPs will pay for their “equitable” element as little more than a sham service.
Mary Robinson, chair of The Elders, a group of independent leaders, warned in a separate COP27 event of the risk that energy transition plans could proceed “without the justice component explicitly enshrined in international human rights and labor standards”.
In South Africa’s case, she said, less than 4% of JETP funding would come in the form of grants, with only 1% dedicated to social projects.
“It goes against what we’re about to achieve,” said Robinson, a former Irish president and UN human rights commissioner.
Even in Europe, where significant funding is available to support the transition of coal and other fossil-fuel sectors, funding has to be made available to those affected,” said Nick Mabe, founding director and co-CEO of London-based think-tank E3G. It’s not as easy as you think”.
“How do we make sure that the money allocated is the right kind of money – and actually gets to the people who need it, as opposed to the people who find it easier to get (it) or who can shout the loudest and have the most power?” He asked.
“It’s becoming more of a practical issue as we get into delivery,” he told reporters after COP27.