Just Transition: Bringing Equity to the Clean Energy Conversation

A new report from the Environmental Defense Fund offers a roadmap for countries, energy companies, and other stakeholders to navigate the complexities of transitioning to clean energy while ensuring equity at every step of the process.

2 minute read

April 22, 2024, 8:00 AM PDT

By Clement Lau


Renewable Energy

Bureau of Land Management / Flickr

Just Transition is typically defined as a set of principles, processes, and practices that build economic and political power to shift from an extractive economy to a regenerative economy. Just Transition strategies were first forged by labor unions and environmental justice groups that were rooted in low-income communities of color. Specifically, they saw the need to: 1) phase out the industries that were harming workers, community health, and the environment; and 2) provide just pathways for workers to transition to other jobs. 

As Mandy Rambharos shares in this article, Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) just released a report titled titled Just Transition and Safeguards Framework that is intended to make a meaningful and mindful contribution to the body of knowledge on Just Transition. This framework is structured to provide guidelines for developing strategies, plans, measures, and metrics that will ensure a fair and equitable transition towards cleaner energy sources. Further, the framework seeks to provide guidance on how to measure whether activities uphold decarbonization benefits, environmental rights, and the interests of impacted stakeholders, including indigenous peoples.

The framework is built on four key principles: procedural justice, distributive justice, recognitional justice and restorative justice, emphasizing inclusivity, fairness and respect for diverse needs during the energy transition. It details safeguards, as well as unique elements and measures, to track progress towards just energy transition objectives. While the focus is on the energy sector, this framework can be adapted for application to other sectors of the economy.

For more information, please read the source article and the EDF report.

Tuesday, April 9, 2024 in Environmental Defense Fund

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents

The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

6 hours ago - Real Change

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing

Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

7 hours ago - Shelterforce Magazine

Green bike share bikes parked in a row on a commercial street with outdoor dining and greenery.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive

Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.

July 11 - Cities Today