The Manifold Dimensions of the Global Just Transition to Net Zero
The transition to a net-zero world is a global challenge that needs to be faced on multiple forefronts. More importantly, this transition must be equitable for everyone around the globe, ensuring environmentally sustainable economic growth and increased prosperity for all. This was a core focus of discussion at the International Summer School in Global Just Transition was organised by UKERC and held in Newcastle in the third week of June 2023. The week-long conference featured an international multidisciplinary theme focused on the political, economic, and technological aspects of the Just Transition to net zero. More than 80 early-career researchers, most of whom were doctoral researchers (PhD), attended the school from over 28 countries alongside a panel of world-class experts.
The interdisciplinary nature of the Just Transition to Net Zero
The multifaceted theme of the summer school carried with it a message serving as a reminder to all academics and policymakers: the transition to net zero is an interdisciplinary challenge by nature. This message was illustrated in the diversity of the research areas all the speakers came from. Prominent social science research into the Just Transition by the likes of Professor Karen Turner (Centre for Energy Policy, University of Strathclyde), Dr Rihab Khalid (University of Cambridge), and Dr Felix Dorn (University of Vienna) was discussed and successfully linked to groundbreaking scientific research in other areas like engineering and natural sciences.
To ensure the transition is just, we must create an inclusive dialogue of thought on the drivers, determinants and desired outcomes of our needed change. In this regard, Dr Rihab Khalid delivered an enlightening lecture titled “Towards a holistic energy systems transition: Exploring alternative social theories for equity, justice, and sustainability”, providing a unique perspective about gender and its intersections with energy and space use in addition to using Decolonial Theory in international relations as an analytical tool in the context of the ‘Just Transition’ to net zero. Such thought-provoking research helps other academics develop new narratives surrounding their research and the impacts on the Just Transition thereof.
The contributions of social sciences must be met by scientific research and technological advancements to have guaranteed results. For example, in the context of Industrial Decarbnoisation, there is a clear policy consensus (see 1, 2, 3) that increasing energy efficiency in production processes is a key strategy to decouple economic growth and societal prosperty from energy consumption. However, such policy target could only be achieved with enhanced technological innovation enabled by novel scientific research (see 1, 2, 3).
Such interlinkages illustrate the importance of interdisciplinary discourse, especially when discussing a transition that touches every aspect of human life. The significance of this was seen in the poster presentations and networking sessions of the summer school, where more than 40 early-career researchers had the chance to showcase their novel research, with more than half aiming to reach technological breakthroughs in renewable energy and resource management systems.
The interaction between social sciences and technological research was the highlight of the summer school. It made the case clear to everyone involved in the global ‘Just Transition’ debate that we must work together across all disciplines, regions, and to reach environmentally sustainable economic growth without leaving anyone behind.
Putting words into action – the real-world impact of academic research:
The summer school also strongly emphasised the importance of the practical side of academia, stressing the need for impactful research and the right channels for its adoption. As Professor Patricia Thornley (2021) argued, “How about we forget writing and try talking?... Meet with policymakers, listen to them, and tell them what they need to know. Follow up with detail and data later if needed”, which is indeed required in the context of the Just Transition. We cannot rely on science and research alone to change the world; we need action, and effectively communicating research is the key to driving impact.
This aspect of academic research was highlighted in the last two days of the summer school when participants were put into groups and asked to work on a task to design a Green Growth Strategy for Zambia to reach net-zero and sustainable economic growth by the year 2063. In the task, each group was required to write a three-page policy brief comprising two contrasting scenarios for a green strategy that ensures a Just Transition and facilitates economic and societal development for the country. In addition, groups were asked to pitch their plans to Zambian policy advisors and researchers in a 5-minute presentation on the last day of summer school.
As a member of Group 5, we worked hard, regardless of the tight timeframe, to design two scenarios that were structured around three themes: Green (environmental sustainability), Inclusive (societal prosperity), and Feasible (economic achievability). Our group then delivered the policy brief to the panel of judges, and I had the pleasure of pitching our plans to them in the 5-minute presentation. Gladly, we were named the Best Presentation award winner and told about potential future collaboration with the Zambian policy advisors to prepare a policy brief with our ideas and present it to policymakers.
The experience gained from this task, and the summer school more generally, showed me and my colleagues the significance of effective science communication and knowledge exchange in the Just Transition challenge. Designing a policy strategy and pitching it to policymakers was an important lesson in how academic research can be translated into real-world impact by making it more accessible and attractive for adoption. My participation in this summer school also gave me valuable insights into world-leading research around the net-zero transition and the need to work across disciplines and sectors to ensure the transition is ‘Just’.