Fit for purpose means fair by design
Enlit Editorial Team
Posted on: 5 July 2021
A just transition is a process of achieving a balance, writes Marine Cornelis.
It is not an Eden, but a strategy. It is not an illusion, but a project. Justice is a goal, but like any goal, without a plan and a strategy, it will remain a dream.
This transition concerns us all, whether you are a young engineering student and climate activist; an old conservative politician; an exile who arrived by boat; a farmer, footballer, stay-at- home parent or teacher.
But we must never forget that this transition is in essence a journey - it's a transformation. It is a journey towards a more equitable and respectful world, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see change happen, but at last without clashes, without a war. But for these changes to happen as peacefully as possible, we need to listen and reflect together.
To me, a just transition is a process that respects the individual. It respects their circumstances, background, needs, and also their expectations.
It is a path that allows everyone to grow. It's a journey that takes everyone's opinion into account and gives everyone the opportunity to express themselves. It is a strategy that puts people, as inhabitants of the planet Earth, shared with other living beings, at the centre.
To move forward, we need legs, but also toes and arms to find balance; lungs to breathe; a head to guide us and a heart to make this whole beautiful machine work.
That's the just transition: don't forget that each element, each organ, each person, has its place to take and its role to play. But that if we don't put some heart into it, we won't be able to progress.
The vibrant heart of our democracies is its citizens. This means that it is up to politicians to engage them more, through dedicated discussion platforms. But it also means that businesses (which, let's not forget, are run by the people they employ) must listen to them and take their needs into account.
I sincerely believe that the era of top-down imposed decisions is over: people want to become actors of change and citizens vote with their wallet.
Energy companies understand that their role is changing. Law-making and regulation must therefore accompany these changes and encourage porosity and exchange between sectors. The transition must be 100 per cent fair by design - or it will not happen.
This article was originally published in The Guide
