Just Transition in action: Rethinking traditional project development and support tool kits and policies

Background

Development institutions tend to work according to an established framework, which helps practitioners and funders structure and plan their actions. This traditional model is based on empirical observations and on the ground experience of how project development and support policy work in practice. Key steps include:

• defining the problem and agenda setting;
• defining the vision and objectives of the strategy;
• identifying and selecting options, and implementing actions;
• monitoring, reporting, evaluation and policy adaptation.

The above cycle describes an idealised process, which differs from "real-life" processes. Steps are sometimes taken in parallel, and within one cycle not all steps may be covered completely. Recent examination of just transition projects and project development cycles suggest that the characteristics of such projects and their development may require an expanded or amended toolbox of actions, funding and sequencing.

For example, just transition projects require expanded participatory processes. Activities to support meaningful participation may thus need to be undertaken and funded to ensure participating workers or communities are able to engage both at a substantive as well as a process level. Another example is that environmental and green solutions sought by just transition project developers may require the inclusion of an expanded view of beneficiaries, given that environmental systems (such as water sheds) do not adhere to political or community boundaries. A final example is that just transition project developers will most likely require a range of funders to become involved in the project development cycle earlier than in traditional project finance. This idea of financial sector players making deals as opposed to buying deals will require additions to the existing project development and policy support toolbox.

The webinar investigates how different countries deal with these emerging issues. In particular, the following questions will be addressed: Does participatory planning call for different policy instruments and mechanisms as well as a different policy cycle? Do just transition projects require different financial support mechanisms and instruments at different times to traditional projects? How is the scope of just transition projects (especially those seeking to address environmental degradation) different from traditional projects and what instruments, mechanisms and policy support measures can be developed.

Outline of the event     

Date: 24 March

Organisations: Trade & Industrial Policy Strategies (TIPS) and Wuppertal Institute für Climate, Environment and Energy (WI)

Enquiries: rozale@tips.org.za