��Just Transition in Asia means�No One to Be Left Behind� �Rene E. Ofreneo
(A think paper presented in the
AROSP Biennial Conference, April 1-4, 2024)
Climate Change an Existential Threat
Global warming is an existential threat
to all regions of Asia (East, Southeast, South, Central, Asia-Pacific) and to the Asian working people.
We all feel the mounting risks posed by unchecked global warming: soaring urban temperature in Southeast Asia, Melting of the Himalayan ice caps and floodings in South Asia, destructive typhoons, drought in agriculture, rising sea level, etc., resulting in collapsing harvests, broken communities, numerous health problems, increasing cost of power, and so on.
And yes, businesses and jobs are disrupted, resulting in massive unemployment and poverty.
UNEP/COP solutions to Climate Change
Mitigation – stop GHG emissions around the world, stop global warming breaching the 2.0 degree Celsius ceiling (1.5 degree Celsius no more accdg to some scientists). All countries have to contribute to mitigation efforts –
“net zero” targets by 2050.
But How?
Shift in energy generation – from coal & fossil
to clean & renewable energy
Shift in agricultural practices -- from chemical to organic
End to deforestation and back to reforestation
Transformation of industries to become cleaner/greener
Plus Adaptation programs for all, especially for the poor and vulnerable. “Managing risks” via DRRM, etc.
Major challenge: �green economic transformation
Out -- Old model that developed countries used in growing their economies while emitting GHG gases along the way
Also out -- Neo-liberal globalization model used by the multinationals in promoting fossil-based global production & consumption w/ limited rules under liberalized trading regime.
UNDP wrote in 2007:
“Carbon-intensive economic growth is symptomatic of a deeper problem. One of the harshest lessons taught by climate change is that the economic model which drives growth and the profligate consumption in rich nations that goes with it, is ecologically unsustainable.”
Transformation a must in globalizing Asia
Excessive commercialization of tourism, “an industry without smokestacks”, which has degraded untouched lands and beaches through the unregulated construction of resorts, beach hotels and golf courses;
Construction of numerous dams (for hydro energy), which has dislocated communities and disrupted bio-diversity;
Expanding acquaculture, Massive urbanization, and
Widespread logging.
The environment has literally become hostage to the “free market” requirements of economic globalization.
�Battle for transformation, �battle for just transition
Major battle in the transformation arena is Just Transition. How to ensure that old job holders in fossil-dependent industries are not unduly displaced when these industries go green or give way to green plans of the government? How to ensure that new jobs in so-called green or modernized industries are decent and sustainable?
And yes, how to save or create livelihoods in communities?
Is there a just transition program for the workers and the communities?
Just transition means transition to a better life, to a job-full economy, to a low-carbon and climate-resilient economy. If the transformation program leads to joblessness and hopelessness for the workers and communities, the transformation program becomes unjust even if the program is carried out in the name of greening. This also means there are no efforts to plan the transition for the workers and the community in a manner that benefits all.
Main guide in Transformation & Transition:�Sustainable Development for All
Original Brundland Report (“Our Common Home”)
listed ff “strategic imperatives” in Sustainable Dev’t:
jobs, food, energy, water and sanitation,
Example of bad transformation, bad transition
Philippines’ Jeepney “modernization” program.
Worried about pollution & carbon emissions in urban areas, transport bureaucrats targeted the iconic “Pinoy jeepney”, a popular vehicle used by the masses, for phaseout. Under the program, only modernized jeepneys using “cleaner” LPG-powered or Euro-4 compliant engines are allowed on the streets. Additionally, these jeepneys are required to have air-conditioning, GPS, CCTV camera, Wifi, & automated fare collection system.
The jeepney modernization program was pushed by the transport bureaucrats despite the resistance of thousands of jeepney drivers and small jeepney operators. The cost of the new jeepney is P1.6 to 1.8 million, while a brand-new jeepney has a price tag of only P600,000. Transport bureaucrats made new rules that are difficult to follow for the traditional jeepney drivers. Jeepney drivers & small jeepney operators were not consulted on the design, pricing and implementation of the modern jeepney. Riding poor also not happy because of higher cost of fares. Clearly, no just transition put in place
Bad transformation/bad transition…
Above all, transport officials
ignored three bigger problems in the Phl:
Potential consequences of missing �Just transformation/just transition programs
Industrial modernization in the name of clean processes leading to mass layoffs
Transition to clean energy leading to new monopolies
(hence, Green economy becoming Greed Economy)
Solar farm development displacing farmers.
Big dangerous dams being built without regard to indigenous people’s and communities.
Reforestation drive used to drive out indigenous peoples from their forest homes.
Greening used by policy makers to restructure industries based on their private interests, not people’s welfare.
� ILO guidelines (2015) on Just Transition
Just Transition should adhere to the overall concept of “sustainable development”: meeting the needs of the present generation w/o compromising the needs of future generations. There should be coherence in addressing economic, social and environmental issues. Transition program should serve as engine of growth as well as instrument of social justice & poverty eradication
Further, JT should be guided by the ILO advocacy for Decent Work (work obtained in conditions of freedom, equality, dignity and security) and DW guidelines:
social dialogue, social protection, rights of workers and employment creation
Basics in crafting JT at sectoral/area levels
-- business sector involved in a climate risk situation
Conclusions
Climate emergency is a concern of all. It requires involvement of all workers, formal & informal, and all communities, especially the communities of urban poor, rural poor, upland poor and coastal poor.
CC mitigation means just transformation of economy using just transition guidelines. Workers have the right to know, to be consulted, to be active participants in the design and implementation of just transformation & just transition programs.
Under Just Transformation, Just Transition –
NO ONE SHALL BE LEFT BEHIND!