A Just Transition Guide in Tracking Global Progress to Net-Zero

Since the Industrial Revolution, fossil fuels have powered extraordinary economic growth and development, but not without cost to the climate.

Burning fossil fuels is a major contributor to rising carbon emissions. In addition to warming temperatures, rising carbon dioxide levels can cause increased hurricane intensity, sea level rise, ocean acidification, and social inequities experienced by underserved and overburdened communities that face higher risks of illness and death from extreme heat (Understanding the basics, 2024).

Avoiding the disastrous climate impacts requires an urgent shift to a sustainable, net-zero future. This transformation must happen quickly, but when done right, it offers many opportunities for workers, communities, and countries.

A “just transition” refers to transitioning to cleaner and renewable energy and an economy that addresses climate change fairly. This means that people are not left without work or livelihood or displaced because of the transition from fossil fuels, and will have decent jobs and a means to live. A just transition balances the risks and benefits and leaves no one behind.

The “just transition” concept gained global traction when it was included in the 2015 Paris Agreement. Since then, it has gradually been integrated into national climate strategies. In 2015, only one country, South Africa, explicitly referenced just transition principles in its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC).

By April 2025, that number had grown to 66. While some countries mention the concept only briefly, others, such as Chile and the United Kingdom, devote substantial sections to outlining their just transition plans. For instance, the U.K.’s NDC highlights establishing an Office for Clean Energy Jobs to support creating high-quality employment opportunities within the energy sector.

Of course, there is no one-size-fits-all approach, as a just transition plan differs among countries depending on their unique circumstances. For instance, in South Africa, a coal-dependent country, people view a just transition as an opportunity to boost social inclusion, reduce poverty, and place people at the centre of decision-making, especially those most impacted: the poor, women, people with disabilities, and the youth.

In Scotland, a significant fossil fuel producer, their just transition strategy emphasises employment, focusing on skills training for green jobs and job security for workers in key sectors from petrol stations to oil platforms.

What progress has been made on just transition efforts across countries? According to the World Resources Institute (WRI), many nations are beginning to integrate just transition principles into their national climate plans and policies.

Some are taking tangible steps, such as developing transition roadmaps, investing in upskilling and reskilling workers for green jobs, and phasing out fossil fuel subsidies. However, these actions often lack transparent monitoring, making it difficult to track progress and hold governments accountable.

Governments must transparently evaluate whether they achieve greener, more resilient, and equitable growth. Consistently tracking indicators such as the quality of green jobs and other social impacts can help build community trust and demonstrate a genuine commitment to ensuring people benefit from the transition.

The WRI and the Initiative for Climate Action Transparency (ICAT) developed new guidance to help countries transparently monitor their progress in just transition.

The “Just Transitions Monitoring Guide” provides high-level considerations for developing a framework for monitoring social, economic, and environmental indicators that reflect the state of the transition at the national, subnational, and local levels.

It covers:

• A justice lens that monitors social, economic, and environmental changes over time can help ensure that no one is left behind during a transition.
• Just transition–related indicators to help examine social, economic and environmental changes among distinct groups of people (distributive justice); how inclusive the transition is (procedural justice); and efforts to address past inequities (restorative justice).
• Identifies steps countries can take to understand better and monitor their progress towards achieving a just transition by identifying targets and indicators, collecting and analysing data to gather insights, and communicating results to provide evidence, inform policies, and facilitate a just transition.

The guide also recommends five steps for monitoring transitions:

1. Develop just transition–related goals or priorities.
2. Formulate targets and key social, economic and environmental indicators.
3. Establish a data collection process.
4. Analyse data to understand trends.
5. Communicate information to reflect changes and inform policies and decisions.

As countries accelerate efforts to phase out fossil fuels and embrace cleaner energy sources, the focus must remain on protecting livelihoods, promoting decent work, and uplifting vulnerable communities.

While many nations have begun incorporating just transition principles into their climate strategies, significant gaps remain, particularly in transparency and accountability. Tools like the “Just Transitions Monitoring Guide” offer a practical path forward, helping governments set clear goals, track meaningful indicators, and communicate progress.

Read the Just Transitions Monitoring Guide.