Having wound up its first phase, and having had all of the recommendations from its March 2021 report accepted by the Scottish Government, the Just Transition Commission now enters the second, and arguably more challenging, phase of its work. In March, we produced 24 recommendations intended to be “realistic, practical and affordable”, as Ministers wanted. The challenge now is to turn these recommendations into action and fulfil the promise of linking net zero climate ambition with considerations of social and economic equity. The just transition is not “just a transition”. The justice element is intrinsic to the mission. And, pragmatically, if affected groups are not fully engaged, a transition to net zero may be beyond reach.
The Commission has been specifically charged by Ministers with engaging with a cluster of other advisory bodies. The Fair Work Convention is high on that list, and we look forward to a fruitful collaboration as we each pursue our closely entwined agendas.
As the Commission carried out its initial work, we were acutely aware of the changing nature of work itself. With strong inputs from its trade union members, two of the four main themes of our report touched on the world of work. We stressed the need for planning and engagement to make sure that everyone involved in sectors, such as energy, can contribute to and take account of the journey to net zero. And we saw it as vital that people are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need to participate in and benefit from the transition. Just transition is not just about risks; it is also about economic opportunity and re-dressing existing injustices.
It is great to see signs of early progress from the Government on some of the specific recommendations. Fair Work will be introduced as a standard set of conditions in awarding public sector heat and energy efficiency contracts. There will be a series of Just Transition Plans for specific sectors, starting with energy which faces multiple challenges in relation to oil and gas, renewables expansion and energy efficiency. Land and agriculture is identified as another priority for a Just Transition Plan. These plans will sit under the umbrella of a Just Transition Planning Framework.
The Climate Emergency Skills Action Plan (CESAP) established a year ago can provide a coherent approach to green skills and green jobs. A second element is developing a skills guarantee for workers in carbon-intensive sectors. Skills and competences in the offshore oil and gas industry can be re-deployed for other activities including offshore renewables, carbon storage in geological formations, carbon capture, and hydrogen production and distribution. But there are barriers to re-deployment, including the need for expensive re-certification even if the necessary skills are very similar. Working towards skills passports through the Green Jobs Workforce Academy should help to smooth the way. Finally, help is needed for small and medium-sized enterprises which will play a vital role in delivering retrofits for energy efficient homes and in the motor trade as it transitions towards electric vehicles.
So far, Scotland’s work on just transition has focused on what needs to be done. We have attracted attention globally. This was very obvious at COP26 in Glasgow where Scottish speakers were in high demand at just transition side events. But having created high expectations, we now need to deliver. Implementation, and demonstrating that promises are being fulfilled, will be everything.
The Commission has three main tasks ahead of it as it enters its new phase. First, the Government has accepted the need for continued independent advice and scrutiny of its just transition sectoral plans, as well as the overall Just Transition Planning Framework. This task falls to the Commission. Second, the Commission will provide advice on monitoring and evaluating progress. The development of a meaningful and comprehensive set of indicators will be a critical step. Third, the Commission will continue to undertake meaningful engagement with those most likely to be impacted by the transition, as it did in its first phase through stakeholder meetings, town hall events and site visits. The Commission has also been asked to report annually on progress being made
The Commission has been specifically charged by Ministers with engaging with a cluster of other advisory bodies. The Fair Work Convention is high on that list, and we look forward to a fruitful collaboration as we each pursue our closely entwined agendas.
Professor Jim Skea, Chair of the Just Transition Commission