Planetary just transition? How inclusive and how just?

Abstract

Planetary justice (PJ) requires a profound planetary just transition (PJT). Recognizing the essentially contested nature of just transition (JT) we propose an analytical scheme to better interpret and differentiate amongst the growing number of JT proposals and, by extension, PJTs. After outlining the increasing association of JT proposals with global policy, as well as their proliferation, we employ scale to address their spatial and temporal inclusiveness and scope to address their social and ecological inclusiveness. Assuming that inclusion does not automatically translate into procedural or substantive justice we then propose that JT proposals should also be evaluated in terms of their socioecological purpose, specifically social equality and standing for nature. We then argue that a full understanding of JT must combine inclusiveness and justice and suggest ways in which we can advance the practice and study of Planetary Just Transition .

Keywords

• Just transition
• Planetary justice
• Geography of justice
• Socioecological justice
• Planetary just transition
• Labour environmentalism