Advocating for Just Transitions at the 2024 UN Responsible Business Forum Asia-Pacific: Key Insights and Calls to Action
During the 2024 UN Responsible Business and Human Rights Forum, Asia-Pacific, two sessions focused specifically on just transitions in the energy transition sector.
At the 2024 UN Responsible Business and Human Rights Forum in Asia-Pacific, the spotlight was on one of the most pressing global challenges—how to ensure that the energy transition not only addresses climate change but also upholds human rights. In two pivotal sessions, leading experts and advocates dove into what a “just transition” means for communities, particularly for the most vulnerable groups, including Indigenous Peoples and children.
A Just Transition for All: Access to Remedies in the Energy Sector
On September 25, the UN Human Rights - Asia organized a powerful session titled, “Access to Remedy in the Energy Transition Sector: Regional Scan of the ‘Right’ Pathway to Just Transition.” The session underscored a critical message: effective remedies must be available to those impacted by human rights abuses during the energy transition. As the world moves away from fossil fuels, peoples in vulnerable situations, especially frontline communities, face severe and lasting impacts. These communities, often marginalized by systemic inequities, need meaningful participation in decision making processes related to energy transition projects and access to remedies that are not just theoretical but co-created with them—and that guarantee non-repetition.
Key Takeaway: The energy transition cannot be just if it continues to overlook the voices of those most impacted. Remedies must reflect the lived realities of Indigenous Peoples, local communities, and frontline environmental human rights defenders.
Panelists:
A Just Transition for Children: Leaving No Child Behind
The very next day, on September 26, UNICEF East Asia and Pacific took the stage with their session, “A Transition Also ‘Just’ for Children? Risks and Opportunities.” The discussion highlighted a crucial but often overlooked fact: children are not just passive bystanders in the climate crisis—they are key stakeholders. The session made it clear that meaningful participation of children, especially those from marginalized groups, is vital. Children are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change and energy sector shifts, and their rights must be safeguarded throughout the transition.
Key Takeaway: Children’s voices are too important to ignore. To create a truly just transition, we must ensure that children—especially those most marginalized—are given a seat at the table, alongside grievance mechanisms that address their unique needs.
Panelists:
Overarching Themes and Calls to Action
Both sessions echoed an undeniable truth: the climate crisis is a human rights crisis. To transition equitably, we must ensure that human rights are not sidelined in favour of rapid energy sector shifts. Across the discussions, several common themes emerged, with strong calls to action for governments, businesses, and investors.
Core Insights:
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The Road Ahead: Recommendations for Change
The sessions culminated in a series of bold recommendations that call on everyone—from governments to businesses—to step up their game. Here’s what needs to happen to make the energy transition truly just:
·?????? Prioritize Indigenous-led solutions that share benefits fairly.
·?????? Secure free, prior, and informed consent from local communities.
·?????? Facilitate access to remedies for those adversely affected by energy transition programmes.
·?????? Protect Indigenous and traditional knowledge and justice systems as vital to climate justice.
·?????? Promote access to justice in environmental matters, including the access of people in vulnerable situations to court facilities, interpreters and culturally appropriate (legal and other) services, as needed.
·?????? Create remedies that ensure non-repetition and long-term fairness.
·?????? Conduct thorough human rights and environmental assessments at all stages.
·?????? Fund grievance mechanisms, attorneys, and technical support for human rights defenders.
·?????? Hold governments accountable for systemic change in vulnerable nations.
·?????? Address corporate capture that undermines climate policies of states and state support for these corporations.
·?????? Child-responsive policies must be central to every transition strategy, anchored in the Convention on the Rights of the Child and meaningful participation, recognizing their unique perspectives and making sure their voices drive decisions.
·?????? Child rights impact assessments are essential for both businesses and governments to ensure that children are protected throughout the energy shift, driven by the Child Rights and Business Principles.
·?????? Governments should develop policies that integrate human rights into all aspects of the transition, ensure meaningful consultations with Indigenous Peoples, provide support to communities, and utilize frameworks that ensure child rights are considered in all undertakings.
·?????? Investors should prioritize strong human rights safeguards, rigorous due diligence, and include child rights impact assessments.
·?????? Businesses should respect Indigenous Peoples’ lands, territories, and rights; embed human rights due diligence into their planning; build equitable partnerships; and engage children as partners.