"The Global Push for a Just Transition in Energy Jobs"

" The Global Push for a Just Transition in Energy Jobs \r\nFor years, energy workers from the fossil fuel sector have been growing increasingly concerned about their future working in the sector. As many countries invest heavily in renewable energy, in a bid to decrease dependence on oil, gas, and coal, many traditional energy jobs are disappearing. However, the knowledge and experience that workers in this sector hold could be well-suited to new jobs in the renewable energy industry, so long as governments invest in a just transition.\r\n\r\nAccording to the European Union\u00a0 definition , a \u201cJust transition is the term used to describe the transition to a climate-neutral economy while securing the future and livelihoods of workers and their communities. A just transition to a climate-neutral economy provides and guarantees better and decent jobs, social protection, more training opportunities and greater job security for all workers affected by global warming and climate change policies.\u201d Meanwhile, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) says a just transition means \u201cgreening the economy in a way that is as fair and inclusive as possible to everyone concerned, creating decent work opportunities and leaving no one behind.\u201d\r\n\r\nWorkers are\u00a0 key to the functioning of the global energy network . Those employed in both the fossil fuel and renewable energy sectors have the skills and experience needed to ensure that consumers have access to stable supplies of power and heating. Around 67.5 million people were working in the energy sector globally in 2023, with around\u00a0 34.8 million jobs \u00a0in the renewable energy sector and\u00a0 32.6 million jobs \u00a0in the fossil fuel industry.\r\n\r\nIn 2015, the ILO published\u00a0 Just Transition Guidelines , which included measures such as labour market policies to create new decent jobs and limit job losses, skills development, mechanisms for social dialogue, guidance on policy coherence, occupational safety and health policies, and social protection policies to safeguard workers. In 2023, the agency adopted a resolution based on the guidelines.\r\n\r\nIn Southeast Asia, a region that continues to rely heavily on fossil fuels, some governments have begun to invest in large-scale renewable energy projects, in some cases with support from international donors. The coal mining industry employs approximately 180,000, 86,000, and 4,000 people in Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines, respectively, while many workers in Malaysia are employed in the liquefied natural gas industry.\r\n\r\nAs the countries gradually decrease their dependence on fossil fuels, it will be important to train workers to transition to work in renewable energy projects to help avoid increased unemployment. Several transition policies already exist across the region, such as the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) 2026\u20132030, \u201cAdvancing Regional Cooperation in Ensuring Energy Security and Accelerating Decarbonisation for a Just and Inclusive Energy Transition\u201d.\r\n\r\nThe 2021 launch of the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) at COP26, which provides\u00a0 $20 billion and $15.5 billion \u00a0to Indonesia and Vietnam, respectively, to phase out fossil fuels and increase the contribution of renewables, also supports this aim. However, the implementation of these policies is less simple due to pushback from fossil fuel lobbies, as well as a lack of funding and political will.\r\n\r\nIn India, the world\u2019s third-largest energy consumer, workers' unions are increasingly demanding a just transition as the government gradually begins to close the country\u2019s coal mines and more renewable energy capacity is deployed. There are around\u00a0 300,000 permanent and 500,000 contract workers currently employed in India\u2019s coal industry , while over 1.4 million people depend on the industry for their livelihoods.\r\n\r\nWhile some coal workers have found jobs in the renewable energy sector, trade unions have raised concerns about the safety standards and wages in certain industries. For example, workers in solar farms face threats such as snake bites and electric shocks in the field, and many are paid extremely low wages, at around $ 3.2 a day.\r\n\r\nMeanwhile, in the European Union, there are\u00a0 31 coal regions in 11 EU countries , with around 200,000 workers employed in coal mines and power plants. To manage the just transition of these workers, the EU has introduced the COALition initiative, which brings together researchers, policymakers, businesses, and communities in regional hubs to shape locally tailored solutions. The EU aims to establish a regional framework for a just transition to ensure that all member states can successfully shift to green without the worry of high unemployment and economic burden.\r\n\r\nPanagiotis Grammelis, the research director at the Centre for Research and Technology Hellas in Greece,\u00a0 explained , \u201cWe are leaving the coal era and moving into the renewables era\u2026 We have common problems, common policy issues \u2013 and we want a common innovation model to address them.\u201d\r\n\r\nSeveral countries and regions of the world are establishing frameworks to support a just transition for workers in the energy sector. However, some regions are doing this in a more collaborative way than others. The success of these frameworks will come down to the effectiveness of implementation by individual state governments, but they could ultimately support a green transition, limit unemployment growth, and reduce training costs through the upskilling of workers."

"The Global Push for a Just Transition in Energy Jobs"

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