The establishment of the Just Transition Work Programme (JTWP) and its inclusion on the agenda of the meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement (CMA) reflects the greater awareness and engagement by Parties on just transition and its inextricable relationship in addressing the challenges and opportunities of shifting to net-zero and climate-resilient economies. There is growing acknowledgment that an international approach to the just transition to clean energy should strive to adopt people-centric and whole-of-economy approaches that, for example involve all segments of society, including those most impacted by climate change; create green and decent jobs; and enhance adaptation and resilience.

The 27^th Conference of the Parties (COP27) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) established a work programme on just transition. It was operationalized at COP28 as the United Arab Emirates JTWP. Two dialogues (in 2024) and two high-level ministerial round tables (at COP28 and COP29) have taken place under the JTWP to date. At COP29, in considering the work of the JTWP, Parties were unable to resolve several differences and did not adopt a decision on its further scope, direction of the work, or its outcomes. Negotiations under the JTWP agenda item will resume at the 62^nd Subsidiary Bodies meeting (SB62) in Bonn in June 2025.

The JTWP is mandated to hold two dialogues and a high-level ministerial round table (HLMRT) every year, and for its work will inform the second global stocktake (GST)—which will start in 2026. Establishing clear priorities for the JTWP and ensuring an effective year of work in 2025 that can be useful to the implementation of Parties’ nationally determined contributions (NDCs) and national adaptation plans (NAPs) will be important for ambitious climate action and enhanced international cooperation—a key part of the GST mandate. Making progress under the JTWP will also be important for setting the stage for the JTWP’s review next year and considering its work beyond 2026.

The JTWP has important linkages with other work programs and processes. As such it should be conducted in a manner that builds on and complements the workstreams and bodies under the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement where just transition is addressed. At the HLMRT held during COP29, ministers highlighted that the JTWP can address the social, economic, and environmental dimensions of climate action, linking the work to the Sustainable Development Goals and other multilateral efforts.

Implemented well, the JTWP could play an important role in addressing some of the barriers preventing transformative levels of climate action pursuant to the Paris Agreement.

Questions for consideration

• What prevented an outcome on just transition at COP29?
• How can Parties advance agreement on the scope and direction of future work for the JTWP?
• How could the cross-cutting nature of just transition help to build trust and inform other work under the CMA?
• What should be the main elements of a decision under the JTWP at COP30?