Summary

Just transition discussions in the context of climate action have recently gained significant prominence. This increasing awareness of the importance of ensuring just transitions in line with Paris Agreement goals led to the establishment of the Just Transition Work Programme (JTWP) under the Paris Agreement at COP27 in 2022 in Sharm-el Sheikh, Egypt.

The JTWP provides a space for discussion of pathways to achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement outlined in Article 2.1 and 2.2 of the Paris Agreement. In addition, Parties decided to convene an annual high level ministerial roundtable on just transition as part of the JTWP, with the first round-table taking place last year (2023) at COP28 in Dubai. This briefing aims to provide some preliminary information on what just transition encompasses in the context of Caribbean small island developing states (SIDS).

The briefing outlines the following, with the ultimate aim of providing some recommendations for Caribbean leaders to take forward into international just transition discussions and national just transition planning:

evolution of the just transition concept and why just transition in the context of Caribbean SIDS is important
background and update on the Just Transition Work Programme (JTWP) under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
an example of just transition policy and funding mechanism, and
recommendations on SIDS-relevant just transition themes.

The main recommendation highlighted throughout this briefing is that Caribbean SIDS should ensure that international just transition discussions include their priority areas. This means that:

Just transition discussions are guided by the best available climate science
The discussions must go beyond the traditional focus on job losses in the energy sector
Other issues of adaptation, loss and damage, resilience, loss of livelihoods due to climate impacts, access to finance, transitioning sectors like tourism, addressing external economic shocks, and adequate governance must be addressed.

Article 6.4 progress update: work of the Supervisory Body on the Paris Agreement Crediting Mechanism

The Article 6.4 mechanism, now known as the Paris Agreement Crediting Mechanism, allows countries to trade reductions in carbon emissions in a manner that goes beyond zero-sum offsetting, to achieve their commitments under the Paris Agreement. This briefing aims to update Small Island Developing States and Least Developed Countries on the standards and procedures that have been adopted by the supervising body (Article 6.4) to inform the design of projects.

Advisory opinion on "Climate emergency and human rights"

This Amicus Curiae is an advisory opinion requested by the republics of Chile and Colombia on "Climate emergency and human rights". It was presented by Climate Analytics Caribbean to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. It outlines the intricate intersections of climate change, human rights, and state obligations, with a specific emphasis on the unique challenges faced by Caribbean nations.

De la CDN 1.0 à la CDN 2.0: qu'est-ce qui a changé dans les CDN des PMA de l’Afrique de l'Ouest?

La présente étude examine les premières et les secondes Contributions Déterminées au niveau National des onze pays les moins avancés de l’Afrique de l’Ouest à savoir le Bénin, le Burkina Faso, la Gambie, la Guinée, la Guinée Bissau, le Libéria, le Mali, le Niger, le Sénégal, la Sierra Leone et le Togo.

Uncompensated claims to fair emission space risk putting Paris Agreement goals out of reach

Based on scenarios underlying the IPCC's 6th Assessment Report, in this paper we construct a suite of scenarios that combine the following elements: (a) two quantifications of a moral claim to the remaining carbon space by South Asia, and Africa, (b) a 'highest possible emission reduction' effort by developed regions, and (c) a corresponding range for other developing regions. Our findings raise important questions of perspectives on equity in the context of the Paris Agreement including on the critical importance of climate finance.

About us

Decarbonisation targets and 1.5℃ pathways

Comment

What does a just transition look like for Caribbean Small Island Developing States?

Summary

Publications

Article 6.4 progress update: work of the Supervisory Body on the Paris Agreement Crediting Mechanism

What good looks like: G7 climate policy 2024 update

Climate justice: loss and damage and the right to development

Climate justice and loss and damage: perspectives from the global south

Advisory opinion on "Climate emergency and human rights"

Unabated: the Carbon Capture and Storage 86 billion tonne carbon bomb aimed at derailing a fossil phase-out

No change to warming as fossil fuel endgame brings focus onto false solutions

The effects of political knowledge use by developing country negotiators in Loss and Damage negotiations

De la CDN 1.0 à la CDN 2.0: qu'est-ce qui a changé dans les CDN des PMA de l’Afrique de l'Ouest?

EU’s role in the world: how can EU climate diplomacy stimulate greater ambition?

Research agenda for the loss and damage fund

Uncompensated claims to fair emission space risk putting Paris Agreement goals out of reach