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Just transition processes: From theory to practice

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  • Ana Pueyo

    (Motu Economic and Public Policy Research)

  • Catherine Leining

    (Motu Economic and Public Policy Research)

Abstract

Aotearoa New Zealand needs large-scale and rapid transformations across all sectors to meet sustainability goals. Past experiences have shown that rapid economic transition is possible, but it can become deeply political, producing trade-offs, winners and losers. It can lead to conflict as politically influential and well-resourced incumbents resist change, while those less able to adjust face the brunt of the costs. As Aotearoa shifts toward a low-emissions, climate-resilient, and more sustainable economy, we have opportunities to find processes and pathways that support a just transition with socially progressive outcomes by design. This paper explores how to move just transitions from theory to practice, through a literature review. It starts with a conceptual framework, defining what we mean by transitions, specifically sustainable and just transitions. It then reviews some of the theories that explain how transitions happen and how they are governed. It provides some further insights on governance, asking if transitions can be engineered and planned from above (top-down), or if they must instead emerge organically from below (bottom-up), concluding that a combination of both is needed. Historical examples and recent toolkits offer some insights about how to plan localised just transitions. Finally, a brief compilation of indigenous approaches to sustainability transitions is presented with a recommendation for further extension to reflect the diversity of indigenous views. The paper is useful for policymakers in Aotearoa and beyond, seeking to understand what just transitions are; who and what drives them or blocks them; how to plan, implement and govern them; and how indigenous knowledge can contribute to the process.

Suggested Citation

  • Ana Pueyo & Catherine Leining, 2023. "Just transition processes: From theory to practice," Working Papers 23_51, Motu Economic and Public Policy Research.
  • Handle: RePEc:mtu:wpaper:23_51
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Dosi, Giovanni, 1993. "Technological paradigms and technological trajectories : A suggested interpretation of the determinants and directions of technical change," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 22(2), pages 102-103, April.
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    3. James Meadowcroft, 2009. "What about the politics? Sustainable development, transition management, and long term energy transitions," Policy Sciences, Springer;Society of Policy Sciences, vol. 42(4), pages 323-340, November.
    4. Peter Newell & Andrew Simms, 2021. "How Did We Do That? Histories and Political Economies of Rapid and Just Transitions," New Political Economy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 26(6), pages 907-922, November.
    5. Healy, Noel & Barry, John, 2017. "Politicizing energy justice and energy system transitions: Fossil fuel divestment and a “just transition”," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 108(C), pages 451-459.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Just transition; Aotearoa New Zealand; climate change; sustainable development; social justice;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q01 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - General - - - Sustainable Development
    • Q54 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Climate; Natural Disasters and their Management; Global Warming
    • Q58 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Government Policy
    • Z18 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Public Policy

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