Energy Transitions Podcast: Achieving just transition - The wicked problem of our time

A just transition to decarbonisation is more than merely an abstract concept. It’s a complex issue based on human rights and if ignored will result in real-world consequences for vulnerable people and species.

In fact, many scholars refer to just transition as a ‘wicked problem’ – a problem that is incredibly difficult to solve because of its very complex and often undefined nature.

In this episode of the Energy Transitions podcast, Susie Ho, Associate Professor and Director of the Monash Innovation Guarantee at Monash University, and Gerry Nagtzaam, Associate Professor at Monash University, unpack what it means to achieve a just transition to decarbonisation.

They elaborate on the different groups that will be most impacted by climate change and the critical importance of agreed definitions to achieve policy cohesion and ensure no one is left behind.

They also describe the concept of climate justice and its various forms, with Ho explaining that there are many different forms of justice, such as inter-generational justice, something the youth are championing.

“Today’s youth are going to see more severe climate impacts than any generation before and as custodians of the future what is our responsibility to them not only in terms of protecting Earth's life support systems and their health and wellbeing but also in terms of preparing them to lead through this change,” said Ho.

Both Ho and Nagtzaam also speak to the recent big issue at COPs being loss and damage, with Ho highlighting that while a great deal of funding has been mobilised, “the money that’s been pledged so far is several magnitudes short of where we should be”.

Susie Ho and Gerry Nagtzaam have coauthored a book with Diane Kraal, Katie O'Bryan and Jadranka Petrovic titled: A Just Transition to Decarbonisation: Themes of Loss and Damage, Transport, Nature and Youth. This Palgrave Macmillan title tackles the challenge of a just transition to decarbonisation based around four UN COP themes.

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Previous episodes:
Engineering wind energy with the titans of turbines
How to de-risk cleantech investments
Marine energy – From bathtub to the big blue

More about a just transition:
The importance of a just energy transition explained
EU adopts €17 billion Just Transition Fund
G20 Summit mobilises $20bn for Indonesia’s just energy transition
Not just any transition