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Transitioning to a low-carbon economy is one of the biggest challenges of our times and “just transition” is a crucial part, as it aims to ensure a fair distribution of burdens and benefits of climate measures. The core aim of this workshop will be to understand the role of law in a just transition and to map out the current legal barriers and challenges.

We will concentrate on the high-level questions below – to be explored on the day through practical examples and more specific questions:

Which legal principles, if any, have been referenced in Just Transitions frameworks to date? Are there differences in this respect between government sponsored frameworks and private-sector frameworks? 

  1. How does implementation of Just Transitions frameworks impact on regulatory or policy frameworks in areas such as labour, health, housing, welfare, and corporate governance?
  2. How do Just Transitions frameworks approach the distributional effects of current law? Do they seek to change these embedded effects? To what extent do Just Transitions frameworks address uneven outcomes of sustainability policies? 

The programme

11:00-11:15         Welcome and introduction

11:15-12:45         Panel 1: Scottish approach to Just Transition and Public Law frameworks

  • Matthew Crighton (Just Transition Partnership)
  • Daria Shapovalova (Senior Lecturer, University of Aberdeen)
  • David Scott (Post Doctoral Fellow, University of Glasgow), and a speaker from the Scottish Land Commission (TBC)

12:45-13:15         Lunch

13:15-14:45         Panel 2: EU law and policy and Just Transitions “beyond the state”

Katie Tradewell (Just Transition specialist and campaigner) speaking on the topic of "The EU Just Transition Mechanism: a fund and a (limited) framework"

  • Kalina Arabadjieva (Researcher at the European Trade Union Institute) on the topic of "EU just transition instruments: do they live up to the promise of ‘leaving no-one behind’?"
  • Magali Eben (Lecturer in Competition Law, University of Glasgow) on the topic of "Recent developments in sustainability and EU competition law"

Followed by comments from Ivano Alogna, British Institute of International and Comparative Law

14:45-15:00 Coffee break

15:00-16:30         Panel 3: Corporate transitions and greening financial regulation

  • Hazel Gulliver (Director of Engagement, Scottish Power) speaking on the topic of “Design and Implementation of a Corporate Just Transition Strategy”
  • Joe Dharampal-Hornby (Impact Investing Institute) on the topic of “Just Transition and Sustainable Finance”

16:30-16:45 Conclusions and final remarks

Following the event, we plan to produce a summary document with a list of relevant resources and policy recommendations that might arise from the workshop discussions.

First published: 29 March 2023

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