Development policy and just transition

We can no longer talk about development policy without talking about both the risks and costs imposed by climate change and the challenges and opportunities related to climate action.

As countries around the world shift gears and start to accelerate climate action, they are embarking on just transition strategies, committing to ensure that the transition to low-carbon economies leaves no one behind. In their initiatives, both developed and developing countries are attempting to address the distributional consequences of the transition, take advantage of the development of new markets, and ensure inclusiveness in decision-making.

In a world of interdependent energy, labour, and financial markets, what will a globally just transition entail? What impacts is climate action having on trade, particularly with the poorest countries? How can climate action generate opportunities instead of further obstacles for developing countries and their structural transformation processes? How are climate change and climate action impacting fiscal and debt sustainability, particularly in the context of the global crises aggravated by COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine?  What does a just transition mean for countries that have contributed little to the climate crisis?

These and other issues will be discussed by the Committee for Development Policy (CDP) during its Plenary meeting on the week of 20-24 February.  Meeting in person for the first time since 2020, the Committee will also address issues related to the least developed countries (LDC) category, including the criteria for its 2024 triennial review and support for graduating countries, and the voluntary national reviews.

On Tuesday, 21 February, the CDP will hold an open session focusing on Just Transition. Delegates and UN staff are welcome to attend at the: UNHQ Conference Room 8 (TBC), from 1:15-2:45 pm. The open session will also be webcast live on https://media.un.org/en/webtv/.

Learn more about the work of the Committee for Development Policy (CDP) here and check for updates on the open session at https://bit.ly/CDP_2023_Just_Transition.