The concept of a Just Transition was developed as a framework to reconcile social and environmental goals in the transition to a zero emissions economy. However, its application, especially in Europe, has leaned on Global South resources and economic growth models that exacerbate the very crises they aim to solve. The Global South is disproportionately impacted by these crises, enduring extreme climate events and facing adaptation pressures and economic struggles.  

To make the Just Transition truly equitable, Global South voices must be heard and should take center stage. Since 2021, SOLIDAR has collaborated with its members and partners to build a shared vision rooted in Global South perspectives. This process began with the publication “A Just Transition for the Global South” , featuring insights from South Africa and the Philippines, and evolved in 2023 through a series of workshops with grassroots organisations and CSOs from Africa, Asia, and Latin America. 

As a result of this two-years process, a Global Just Transition Working Group was created, bringing together CSOs and TUs from Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America, covering more than 20 countries. The participants possess different and cross-sectoral expertise, and through capacity-building and peer-learning activities, the group aims to build international solidarity and collaboration on the topic of Just Transition.  

This document is elaborated based on the inputs collected during our shared work, and it aims to present the Group’s vision on what a Global Just Transition should look like, and what it should entail. It provides a definition of what we mean by Just Transition, what are the challenges for the Global South and some positive examples of how Just Transition policies and programmes can benefit local communities and contribute to a global sustainability.