Negotiation prior to COP solidifies draft for Transition Framework text
After years of challenges, the Just Transition Work Programme (JTWP) has made significant progress following the climate change intersessional conference held in Bonn, Germany. The Bonn talks provided a firmer footing and a clearer way forward, reflecting a growing recognition that social and economic justice is essential for effective climate action.
The Brazilian presidency, which will host COP30, has prioritised the JTWP, making it one of its top priorities alongside the Global Goal on Adaptation and the implementation of the first global stocktake. This move has shifted discussions from late-night low-attention slots to more prominent, well-supported sessions.
Negotiators at the conference agreed to advance the JTWP with a focus that bridges workers’ rights and a broader social justice approach. However, some divides remain between global north parties prioritising workers’ transitions and global south parties seeking a more holistic approach.
Community and grassroots advocacy have played a significant role in shaping the proposals for the JTWP. Groups have pushed for elements such as finance eligibility, human and labor rights, integration into national climate plans (NDCs), formal consultation spaces, and international cooperation. They have also proposed launching the Belém Action Mechanism (BAM) at COP30, a multilateral initiative designed to accelerate just transition efforts by facilitating advice-sharing, technical support, financing access, and removing barriers such as trade or debt issues.
There is strong support for including just transition progress reporting as part of countries’ NDC climate plans, which is crucial for transparency and accountability. If approved at COP30, the just transition mechanism will deliver action on the ground, requiring and supporting governments to prioritise people's needs.
Looking ahead to COP30 in Belém, the JTWP will focus on finalising and launching the Belém Action Mechanism, which aims to operationalise just transition support globally by creating a peer network for governments and stakeholders to share knowledge and resources. This mechanism is seen as a key delivery vehicle to help countries implement just transition measures on the ground more effectively and affordably.
Amiera Sawas, head of research and policy at the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative, was present at the discussions and stated that the options produced can support just transitions in countries across the Global South. NGOs, such as Climate Action Network Southeast Asia and ActionAid International, are closely following the progress of the JTWP.
Teresa Anderson of ActionAid International states that the progress on the JTWP comes at a "critical time" amid economic uncertainty. Activists are calling for the just transition discussions to be part of the Belém Action Mechanism, a new framework being championed by Brazil as the host of COP30. If approved, the just transition mechanism would mark a "spark of hope" that our planet urgently needs, according to Teresa Anderson.
The pre-COP discussions aimed to bring countries closer on core issues including adaptation, mitigation, and finance. However, they were delayed for two days due to disagreements on the meeting agenda. The conference is a precursor to the main United Nations Conference of Parties (COP) 30, scheduled for the end of the year in Belém, Brazil.
The just transition work programme, introduced at COP28, represents a major evolution in climate action, according to Teresa Anderson. The progress on the just transition work programme offers little progress on other fronts, according to Nithi Nesadurai. Civil society views the firming up of the just transition text as a "glimmer of hope" amid global crises. Negotiators at the conference implemented a draft text detailing approaches to capacity-building, financing, and technology transfer to help developing countries adopt just transition pathways.
In conclusion, the JTWP is now on a more solid path due to political prioritisation, clearer frameworks, and grassroots engagement. COP30 in Belém will be the platform where the Belém Action Mechanism is formally launched and just transition implementation is accelerated globally.
- The Just Transition Work Programme (JTWP), with a focus on workers' rights and social justice, has garnered significant attention amidst ongoing climate change discussions, as highlighted by the Bonn intersessional conference.
- The upcoming COP30 in Belém will serve as a platform for launching the Belém Action Mechanism (BAM), an initiative aimed at facilitating the global implementation of just transition measures, particularly in countries of the Global South.
- As the host of COP30, Brazil has prioritized the JTWP, alongside the Global Goal on Adaptation and the first global stocktake, moving the discussions from marginalized to mainstream sessions.
- NGOs such as Climate Action Network Southeast Asia and ActionAid International are closely monitoring the progress of the JTWP, viewing the firming up of the just transition text as a "glimmer of hope" amidst global crises and calling for its inclusion in the Belém Action Mechanism.