Building a Just Transition from the Ground Up

Addressing climate change and environmental challenges requires solutions that are locally grounded and tailored to meet the needs of workers, families, and communities. The Laudes Foundation, along with the Wallace Global Fund and Ford Foundation, studied 632 local initiatives and found that a one-size-fits-all approach does not work — effective transitions must be shaped by local contexts. Key to this effort is fostering inclusion, agency, and accountability, ensuring that marginalized communities have a voice in decision-making, the power to influence policies, and that all stakeholders are held responsible for equitable outcomes.

Several initiatives demonstrate the impact of local action, such as the Green Consortium in Jharkhand, India, which has reskilled over 8,000 coal workers for green jobs by redirecting existing government funds. Similarly, cities play a crucial role in just transitions by implementing locally driven sustainability strategies. For example, C40 Cities developed a toolkit for mayors to support urban transformation, highlighting how New Delhi successfully phased out diesel generators without raising electricity costs by engaging affected communities in decision-making. These cases show that balancing environmental goals with economic and social equity requires direct community participation.

At the national level, organizations like the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) ensure that just transition strategies reflect workers’ realities. The ITUC’s Just Transition Centre has helped incorporate labor concerns into national climate policies, earning recognition for bridging the gap between policy and lived experience. While local action is essential, broader global factors—such as trade policies and financial systems—also influence the success of just transitions. To achieve meaningful progress, governments, businesses, investors, and philanthropists must collaborate to develop policies, unlock funding, and drive systemic change rooted in equity and sustainability.