What We Do

As we transition to a low-carbon economy, we must ensure that this process is fair, effective and inclusive. In other words, it must be a ‘just transition’. This means that we need to share the costs and benefits of climate action in a fair and equitable manner.

The Just Transition Research Project, led by the Energy Democracy Project (EDP), has been developed to examine what a just transition means to workers, communities and businesses in our region and identify pathways for socially inclusive decarbonisation.

Harnessing Citizen Power to Shape the Just Transition  

We want to listen and learn from our citizens’ experiences, concerns, aspirations and visions for the future, and work together to develop a community- and worker-led just transition to a sustainable, low-carbon economy.

In particular, the project will identify, engage and consult people working in high-carbon industries that will be most affected by the transition to a low-carbon economy. There will be specific focus on highlighting the opportunities and barriers facing workers in high-carbon industries moving into ‘green’ and low-carbon sectors. This is vital because we need to ensure that the existing workforce is supported and equipped with the right skills, expertise and training needed for the jobs that are emerging, or will need to adapt, in the context of climate change.

The just transition is also an important opportunity to improve economic inclusion; making sure under-represented groups are meaningfully considered in the transition away from high-carbon jobs. The project will therefore engage with people who were previously excluded from stable and well-paid high-carbon jobs, to explore how they can be trained for the sustainable jobs of the future.

The project aligns with the three cross-cutting priorities of the North of Tyne Combined Authority (NTCA): Net Zero Transition, Inclusive Economy, and Innovation in Recovery. The research also builds upon previous citizen-led engagement on climate change in the region, such as the Climate Change Citizens’ Assembly.

The project will publish the final report in June 2023, outlining policy recommendations for NTCA and other stakeholders.

How to Participate

Workers

Your Story: Have you moved from a job in an energy-intensive industry to a green job? We want to hear from you! Share your experiences to help inform how we support others on their journey to a career in the green economy. Contact the Project Lead, Ben Lennon, to discuss how your experience can shape future Just Transition policy ben@energydemocracyproject.com

Your Views: We can only develop Just Transition policy when we place workers at the centre of the process. We want to hear the views of workers currently employed in high-carbon industries (such as construction, manufacturing, energy, transport, and agriculture) about how to plan for the long-term, sustainable jobs and industries of the future. Please complete this survey to have your say tinyurl.com/NTCAworker

Alt “survey for workers in carbon industry”

Local Businesses

As fuel prices rise in the context of global energy issues, reducing energy consumption is an important topic for all businesses. Therefore, we need to hear the views of local business owners or managers of companies of any size and sector located in the North of Tyne region about what support is needed to reduce carbon emissions and plan for a sustainable future. Please complete and share this short survey https://tinyurl.com/ntcabusiness

Further Information

If you would like to find out more about the Just Transition Project or get involved, please contact the Just Transition Project Coordinator at helen@energydemocracyproject.com

Who are the Energy Democracy Project?

Energy Democracy Project (EDP) was set up in 2003 to support educational and research activities around climate change. It has focused on building support for energy democracy and a just transition in the UK since 2014. EDP focuses on engaging and consulting trade unions, unionised and non-unionised workers, and communities in building visions and pathways for a just and rapid climate transition.

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