
Just transition
Assessing 450 of the world's most influential companies in high-emitting sectors on what they are doing to respect the rights of workers, communities and the most vulnerable as they work towards low-carbon goals
Our aim
Sustainable development can only be achieved by striking the right balance between economic, environmental and social components. Decarbonisation of our global economy will only succeed if climate justice includes solutions for workers and communities, also known as a ‘just transition’.
In light of the crucial role the private sector has to play in achieving a low-carbon world, WBA intends to assess 450 companies by 2023 on their contribution to a just transition by assessing their alignment with the goals of the Paris Agreement alongside their approach to addressing the social challenges of a low-carbon transition. These 450 companies employ around 24 million people, and hold immense influence to power a just transition. These assessments will be the first of their kind, publicly available and free.
This work is part of our broader work on assessing and incentivising companies to contribute to transforming our energy system and decarbonising our global economy.
Learn about our Climate and Energy Benchmark
2021 Just Transition Assessment
See resultsOur approach
Launched in February 2021, our Just Transition Approach Report sets out how WBA proposes to approach these assessments, including how we will invite stakeholders to participate in the development of indicators for assessing companies’ contributions to a just transition through our multistakeholder process. It also includes a synthesis of the November 2020 findings from WBA’s Climate and Energy Benchmark and Corporate Human Rights Benchmark assessments in the automotive sector. Our timeline sets out the next steps and consultation moments in this process.
See reportMilestones
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Publication of our approach to assessing companies on their contribution to just transition
February 2021
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Publication of our draft methodology
31 March 2021
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Public consultation of our methodology
1 April to 14 May 2021
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Publication of our methodology
July 2021
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Publication of our 2021 Just Transition Assessment of 180 companies in high-emitting sectors
November 2021
Methodology
WBA’s methodologies and benchmarks serve as roadmaps for companies, setting out the steps they can take to meet the needs and expectations of their stakeholders. In this methodology, we present the just transition indicators we will use to assess companies in 2021 and the multistakeholder feedback that has shaped them. We will assess 180 of the companies in scope of our decarbonisation and energy system transformation: 100 oil and gas companies, 50 electric utilities and 30 automotive manufacturers. In this methodology we also set our aims and expectations for the just transition assessments in 2021 and beyond.
Read methodology hereAdvisory Group
Our just transition work is developed in close collaboration with an advisory group, whose members support the team with their expertise and experience.
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Christina Herman
Program Director for Climate & Environmental Justice, Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR)
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Cynthia McHale
Senior Director, Ceres (part of Climate Action100+ (CA100+))
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Dev Nathan
Professor, Institute for Human Development
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Emily Hickson
Formerly Head of Advocacy, the B Team
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Jessie Cato
Natural Resources & Human Rights Programme Manager, Business and Human Rights Resource Centre (BHRRC)
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Laura Kelly
Director, Shaping Sustainable Markets, International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED)
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Mette Lund
Technical Officer, Green Jobs
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Nick Robins
Professor in Practice for Sustainable Finance, Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change & the Environment
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Sabrina Muller
Policy Analyst, Sustainable Finance, Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change & the Environment
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Samantha Harris
Former JTAG member as Associate Director, People and Climate, BSR
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Samantha Smith
Director, Just Transition Centre, International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC)
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Scott Jerbi
Senior Advisor, Policy & Outreach, Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB)
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Juan Luis Dammert
Latin America Director, Natural Resource Governance Institute
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Robert Marinkovic
Adviser for Climate and Green Economy, International Organisation of Employers (IOE)
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Hubert Danso
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, Africa investor (Ai) Group
Get involved
As we build our work, we continue to engage with stakeholders across the globe through targeted communications with key organisations and representatives. We also encourage meaningful and constructive feedback.
