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The transition to a green, sustainable future is arguably the defining challenge of our era. As Europe sets ambitious climate targets to reduce emissions, ramp up renewable energy, and shift toward circular economies, the stakes have never been higher (1). If we fail to meet climate targets there could be severe consequences such as more frequent and intense extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and disruptions to agriculture and food security due to changing weather patterns. This urgency, however, brings to light a deeper question, one that goes beyond emissions and technology and into the realm of fairness and inclusion.

Can we achieve a greener future without leaving entire communities behind? Can green policies truly be both bold and inclusive? While some claim that balancing environmental progress with social equity is a trade-off we simply cannot avoid, many climate experts insist that it is not only possible but necessary (2).

The global landscape: who is being left behind?

Several demographic factors influence how communities experience and contribute to the green transition (14). Marginalized groups, including low-income populations, indigenous peoples, and communities of color, often face disproportionate challenges in this shift of climate change. These communities are more vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change and have less access to the benefits of green policies. For instance, renewable energy projects increasingly impact Indigenous lands and livelihoods (3). This is particularly significant given that 54% of transition minerals essential for the energy transition are located on or near Indigenous Peoples’ territories (15). When these projects are implemented without proper consultation, consent, or benefit-sharing, they can result in land dispossession, the disruption of traditional practices, and environmental degradation. Sacred sites may be disturbed, access to hunting, fishing, or farming areas can be restricted, and community cohesion can be compromised when people are excluded from decision-making processes. For instance, communities in Victoria, Australia, Mpumalanga, South Africa, and La Guajira, Colombia, have faced exclusion from decision-making processes in green energy projects, resulting in concerns about job losses, cultural impacts, and insufficient consultation (6, 7, 8). This disparity emphasizes the need for a ‘just transition’ through policies that address both environmental and social dimensions (4).

What is a ‘just transition’?

The idea of a “just transition” originated in the labor movement, with the goal of protecting workers as economies shift away from environmentally harmful industries, such as coal and oil, toward more sustainable practices. Initially, this focused primarily on job security, where workers would not be left behind as industries changed or disappeared (16). However, the concept has since expanded to include a broader range of protections and principles.

A just transition now refers to efforts to ensure that the shift to a green economy is fair and inclusive for all. This includes protecting jobs and securing decent work opportunities, fair wages and strong labor rights (17). It also addresses physical safety in new industries, mental well-being during times of transition, and social protections for those most vulnerable. In this sense, “protecting workers” includes both economic and physical dimensions, aiming to avoid worsening existing inequalities while building a more equitable and resilient society through the green transition (1).

The necessity of inclusive green growth

Building on the principles above, inclusive green growth emphasizes the importance of ensuring that the benefits of the green transition are equitably shared across society. Without appropriate measures, shifts to a greener future risk only benefiting those who bear the least risk, while severely damaging those populations already in vulnerable positions (12). Inclusive green growth involves all stakeholders, particularly marginalized groups, to be actively involved in and benefit from green initiatives. In line with this, organizations like the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) emphasize the importance of transforming economies to green growth models that are both environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive (5).

Global ambitions with local realities

Simply put, the global climate challenge can only be tackled effectively when it is reframed and translated into goals and strategies that resonate with and take into account local realities. This process of "anchoring" helps ensure that missions are ambitious and inclusive and grounded in the specific needs of communities. By doing so, it builds legitimacy of the transition itself, as local actors play an active role in defining and implementing the mission, addressing the common criticism that top-down policies often miss the mark or fail to engage with those most affected (6).

Missions that fail to adapt to local conditions can easily lead to resistance, as communities may feel alienated or threatened by policies that disregard their interests. One example is the case of northern Colombia, where the introduction of renewable energy projects has raised concerns among indigenous communities, where they fear that their land and cultural practices will be disrupted without sufficient consultation or benefit-sharing (8). These issues underscore the importance of ensuring that green policies and projects align with local priorities and consider the diverse needs of different communities. On the other hand, a positive case of such alignment is the Solar Sister initiative in sub-Saharan Africa, which integrates gender empowerment and climate goals by training local women to distribute clean energy technologies in their communities (13).

Let us go back to the main question: Can Green Policy Be Both Ambitious and Inclusive? The answer lies in understanding that ambition and inclusivity are not mutually exclusive but are, in fact, essential to each other. Green policies must both aim for ambitious environmental goals and also ensure that marginalized communities are not left behind in the transition (8).

Incorporating inclusive green growth means actively engaging communities, particularly those who have historically been excluded. Localized approaches, such as anchoring green missions to specific contexts and empowering place-based leadership, are important to design policies that resonate with diverse needs. Shall we?

This article is part of The Outside World, ftrprf’s very own research center.

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Sources:

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2. Sara Löfqvist et al. 2022. “How Social Considerations Improve the Equity and Effectiveness of Ecosystem Restoration”. BioScience.
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