Burgess COMMENTARY

Peter Burgess

A Net-Zero Future that Leaves No One Behind



Businesses, governments and individuals around the world are taking action to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The shift toward this clean energy economy will build robust communities and industries, spurring new job growth, diversifying educational opportunities and transforming livelihoods. A truly just transition will ensure that everyone shares in the benefits, and has an opportunity to thrive in the net-zero world.

The private and public sectors can help facilitate a just transition that builds a blueprint for all citizens and communities to thrive in 2050.

In our latest video, B Team Leaders Richard Branson, Sharan Burrow, Bob Collymore, David Crane, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Paul Polman and Mary Robinson join Leah Seligmann, Director of The B Team’s Net-Zero by 2050 initiative and Sam Smith, Director of the Just Transition Centre to offer their thoughts on how we can approach a just transition. They discuss the importance of beginning active and open dialogues with workers, building secure employment across all sectors and planning to deploy the skills of the workforce across these new opportunities.

From honoring the contributions of fossil-fuel sector workers to investing in clean energy job growth, leaders can take action now to build a sustainable and equitable future for all.

Business, individuals, governments and universities have demonstrated their dedication to the Paris Agreement and furthering dialogue and action around the just transition remains a priority for these committed stakeholders.

For more information on global action toward a just transition, click here.
=========================================================================
JUST TRANSITION CENTRE

Intro JCC Welcome to the page of the Just Transition Centre.

A zero-carbon, zero-poverty world is within our reach. But it will require universal sectoral and economic transformations on a scale and at a speed faster than any in human history.

A just transition brings together workers, communities, employers and government in social dialogue to drive the concrete plans, policies and investments needed for a fast and fair transformation. It focuses on jobs, livelihoods and ensuring that no one is left behind as we race to reduce emissions, protect the climate and advance social and economic justice.

To deliver and build the social dialogue for a just transition, the International Trade Union Confederation and its partners have established a Just Transition Centre. The Centre will bring together and support unions, businesses, companies, communities and investors in social dialogue to develop plans, agreements, investments and policies for a fast and fair transition to zero carbon and zero poverty.

Peter Bakker World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)