The Future of Just Transitions: Theory and Implementation

This book explores the theory and history behind just transitions, highlighting the social and political influences that have shaped the concept, and investigating the challenges it poses. Bridging theory with practice, it assesses critical transitions and advocates for inclusive approaches that manage employment impacts and engage communities in the move towards renewable energy. With a comprehensive coverage of the topic, the book offers both practical advice and theoretical insights, particularly focusing on navigating methodological challenges and understanding quantitative methodologies in the context of transitioning to a low-carbon economy. The book discusses the implications of energy decentralization for a just transition and the importance of considering distributional justice and spatial injustices to ensure all benefit from the shift towards sustainable energy. Ultimately, it calls for innovative ways to actively involve communities to make sure that everyone’s voices are heard in the move to renewable energy, and to manage the employment consequences of transitioning towards a cleaner economy. The Future of Just Transitions is a must-read for scholars, researchers and students of environmental law, energy law and policy, sustainable development, renewable energy technology and global and transnational law. Policymakers, strategists and stakeholders in renewable energy sectors, international agencies and NGOs will also benefit from the book’s valuable policy recommendations.

Table of Contents:
Contents 1 What is a just transition? 1 Darren McCauley, Tracy-Lynn Field, Iain Todd PART I THEORY, HISTORY AND CHALLENGES OF JUST TRANSITIONS 2 The history and future of global energy transitions 23 Ryan Holmes 3 Just transition and energy justice: Different objectives, common approaches? 42 Darren McCauley 4 The legal implementation of distributive and procedural justice considerations for a just transition 61 Kostina Prifti, Alberto Quintavalla and Leonie Reins 5 Lessons for a just transition from the COVID-19 pandemic 74 Alvaro Garcia 6 Quantifying just transition for data analysis 89 Kerry Pettigrew and Darren McCauley PART II ENERGY FUTURES AND JUST TRANSITIONS 7 Taking stock of the challenge: Comparing fossil fuels and renewables 106 Tracy-Lynn Field and Iain Todd 8 An energy justice analysis of global renewable energy transformation 120 Yutong Si and Jennie C. Stephens 9 Solar energy and the just transition 142 Iain Todd 10 Localising renewables: Energy decentralisation and the critical role of intermediaries in realising socially just transitions 160 Max Lacey-Barnacle 11 A manifesto for a global just transition 182 Darren McCauley, Tracy-Lynn Field, Raphael Heffron and Iain Todd

About the Author :
Edited by Darren McCauley, Professor of Environmental and Social Justice, Newcastle Law School, Newcastle University, UK, Tracy-Lynn Field, Professor, Wits School of Law, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa, Raphael Heffron, Professor, Laboratory Energy and Environmental Transitions, University of Pau and Pays de l’Adour, France and Iain Todd, Visiting Professor, School of Geography and Sustainable Development, University of St. Andrews, UK

Review :
‘Just Transition has become a critical concept for charting humanity’s route out of the climate crisis. The value of deciphering its substance and operationalizing its potential extends well beyond academia. The editors and contributors to this timely book masterfully complete both tasks while creating an important resource for a wide audience.’ ‘This book provides exactly what is needed right now – a comprehensive theoretical and empirical exploration of the concept of just transition. It succeeds in elevating the seemingly ubiquitous but rarely operationalised concept into something implementable through a set of concrete policy actions. This book is a ready-made manifesto for policy makers and scholars to pick up and run with.’ ‘This is a timely contribution to the rapidly evolving field of just transition research. An excellent team of authors provide nuanced inter-disciplinary insights into both theorising just transition and its implementation in the energy sector, with novel perspectives on renewables and decentralisation. A must read for academics and practitioners.’