In this webinar, CAT’s Head of Graduate School, Adrian Watson, and current Sustainability and Adaptation MSc student, Tanya Hawkes, explored how we can transition to low carbon jobs in a just and fair way, and what these jobs are likely to be.

The recording was made 13 January 2021 at the time of the live webinar.

How can we transition to low carbon jobs, in a just and fair way?

Environmentally sound practices and technologies are essential to meet the demands of the climate and biodiversity emergency, and investment in these areas must be central to rebuilding the post-COVID economy.

But where are the new opportunities and jobs likely to be, and how can we transition to low carbon jobs in a just and fair way? CAT’s Head of Graduate School, Adrian Watson, and current Sustainability and Adaptation MSc student, Tanya Hawkes, will explore this topic, asking: what does a just transition for jobs look like? 

Powering down high emitting industries and powering up low carbon industries requires huge societal changes, in energy provision, land use, transport and construction. History shows us that many communities, regions and families fared badly in the past when certain industries were forced to close, leaving persistent and generational pockets of deprivation in many de-industrialised areas of the UK.

Just transition is a principle and a practice, recognising the complexity of a) creating a low carbon society to protect future generations around the world and b) protecting workers and communities from the impacts of economic changes. These complexities are often viewed as in tension with each other, but it doesn’t have to be this way.

Focusing on her MSc research, Tanya will explore the work of the just transition movement and present case studies of practical just transition work in the UK that aims to protect workers, restore and enhance biodiversity and create new and sustainable jobs that address the triple bottom line of environmental, social and economic solutions.

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