Finding common ground for a just energy transition: Labour and employer perspectives

Finding common ground for a just energy transitionLabour and employer perspectives 2© IRENA 2023Unless otherwise stated, material in this publication may be freely used, shared, copied, reproduced, printed and/or stored, provided that appropriate acknowledgement is given of the author(s) as the source and IRENA as the copyright holder. Material in this publication attributed to third parties may be subject to separate terms of use and restrictions, and appropriate permissions from these third parties may need to be secured before any use of such material.ISBN: 978-92-9260-536-0Citation: IRENA Coalition for Action (2023), Finding common ground for a just energy transition: Labour and employer perspectives, International Renewable Energy Agency, Abu Dhabi.About the CoalitionThe IRENA Coalition for Action brings together leading renewable energy players from around the world with the common goal of advancing the uptake of renewable energy. The Coalition facilitates global dialogue between the public and private sectors to develop actions to increase the share of renewables in the global energy mix and accelerate the energy transition.About this paperThis brief was developed jointly by members of the Coalition’s Working Group on Sustainable Energy Jobs. It builds on exchanges and discussions among labour unions and employers that took place during a series of webinars on a just transition. This paper is also informed by perspectives from more than a dozen trade unions covering Asia-Pacific, Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas that were interviewed under the Chatham House rule. AcknowledgementsContributing authors: Giedre Viskantaite (IRENA), and Kelly Rigg (IRENA consultant) under the guidance of Rabia Ferroukhi (Director, IRENA Knowledge, Policy and Finance Centre). Beneficial input, support and reviews were provided by Celia García-Baños, Diala Hawila, Paul Komor, Divyam Nagpal, Bishal Parajuli, Ilina Radoslavova Stefanova, Faran Rana, Mirjam Reiner, Michael Renner and Gondia Sokhna Seck (IRENA).Case studies and additional reviews were provided by: Nils Askær-Hune (Ørsted), Ibtissem Hammi (Enel Green Power), Reshmi Ladwa (GWEC), Marta Martinez Sanchez (Iberdrola), Andrea Real Ruiz (Acciona), and Esther Wanza (Raynow Energy).Valuable reviews and inputs were also provided by: Irene Giner-Reichl (GWNET), Moustapha Kamal Gueye, Marek Harsdorff, and Camila Pereira Rego Meireles (ILO), Namiz Musafer (Integrated Development Association Kandy), Robert Marinkovic (IOE), Bert de Wel (ITUC) and Hannibal Tesfahunegn (Power for All).The IRENA Coalition for Action would also like to express its gratitude to all the labour union and employer representatives who participated in the events and discussions that informed this brief.This report was edited by Justin French-Brooks and designed by Richard Kubicz.DisclaimerThis publication and the material herein are provided “as is”. All reasonable precautions have been taken by IRENA and the IRENA Coalition for Action to verify the reliability of the material in this publication. However, neither IRENA, the IRENA Coalition for Action, nor any of its officials, agents, data or other third-party content providers provides a warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, and they accept no responsibility or liability for any consequence of use of the publication or material herein.The information contained herein does not necessarily represent the views of all Members of IRENA or Members of the Coalition. Mentions of specific companies, projects or products do not imply any endorsement or recommendation. The designations employed and the presentation of material herein do not imply the expression of any opinion on the part of IRENA or the IRENA Coalition for Action concerning the legal status of any region, country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of frontiers or boundaries.All images in this report were generated using Midjourney AI - ©WeDoDesign.fr 0302010304ContentsFigures 04Boxes 04Abbreviations 05EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 06INTRODUCTION 08SECTION 1: AN ENERGY TRANSITION THAT WORKS FOR PEOPLE AND THE PLANET 101.1 Implications of the transition for the world of work 111.2 Avoiding misalignments between jobs lost and jobs gained 121.3 A just transition for workers and communities 131.4 New development models compatible with climate, ecological and social sustainability 23SECTION 2: CREATING DECENT JOBS 242.1 Ensuring decent jobs means that all voices must be heard: Social dialogue and participation 262.2 Working with dignity and fairness: Fundamental human and labour rights