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JUST TRANSITIONS

This article is part of a short series of three reflections exploring what are just transitions, in a world of more rapid and complex change than ever before, and where the consequences of change can create both opportunities and risks.

These articles were written as part of the project “Accelerating Cities’ Just Transitions through National Platforms”, funded by Porticus in 2023-2024, in which Atelier itd, Dark Matter Labs, Viable Cities and Climate KIC collaborated.

Authors: Nayla Saniour, Irene Ezquerra, Paula Beltrán de Heredia
Collaboration in writing: Marcial Silva, María García Rodríguez
Editing: Caren Camiscia

JUST TRANSITIONS

JUST TRANSITIONS

This article is part of a short series of three reflections exploring what are just transitions, in a world of more rapid and complex change than ever before, and where the consequences of change can create both opportunities and risks.

These articles were written as part of the project “Accelerating Cities’ Just Transitions through National Platforms”, funded by Porticus in 2023-2024, in which Atelier itd, Dark Matter Labs, Viable Cities and Climate KIC collaborated.

Authors: Nayla Saniour, Irene Ezquerra, Paula Beltrán de Heredia
Collaboration in writing: Marcial Silva, María García Rodríguez
Editing: Caren Camiscia

This article is part of a short series of three reflections exploring what are just transitions, in a world of more rapid and complex change than ever before, and where the consequences of change can create both opportunities and risks.

These articles were written as part of the project “Accelerating Cities’ Just Transitions through National Platforms”, funded by Porticus in 2023-2024, in which Atelier itd, Dark Matter Labs, Viable Cities and Climate KIC collaborated.

Authors: Nayla Saniour, Irene Ezquerra, Paula Beltrán de Heredia
Collaboration in writing: Marcial Silva, María García Rodríguez
Editing: Caren Camiscia

Part 1 of 3

WHAT ARE JUST TRANSITIONS?

A transition is a process in which change occurs, whether social, economic, environmental, or a combination of these. It is a movement from one state to another.

Throughout human history, transitions have constantly occurred. Some of these transitions have been profound, reshaping the development of the societies, economies, cultures, and political systems of their time. Examples include the Neolithic transition (from hunter-gatherer societies to agricultural societies), the industrial transition (from agrarian and artisanal economies to machine-driven industrialized economies), or the decolonial transition (from colonial rule to independent countries).

The particularity of the current transitions is the extreme interconnectedness of the changes due to globalization, as well as the increase in speed and complexity of the processes.

We understand transitions to be plural, in terms of time and place. There is a great diversity of transition trends taking place in different parts of the world, at different scales and contexts, and of different natures and rhythms.

These trends are not necessarily novel: sometimes these transitions are a return to something that has existed before but fell out of habit for some time. Nor are they complete or irreversible: some processes start, stop, continue, or reverse. Nor are they independent or isolated: on an interdependent planet, all these trends influence each other to varying degrees.

In this series of articles, we will focus on what we call just transitions to sustainability.

Why are we reflecting on just transitions?

  • We want to establish an expanded concept of just transitions, since collective narratives often link it merely to employment issues (e.g. job losses due to the closure of fossil fuel power plants), and we believe that transitions have implications and consequences that go beyond this.
  • We want to engage in practical conversations based on curiosity and experience, taking into account what already exists and at the same time contributing new elements. We do not pretend to arrive at “exact or perfect” definitions and will avoid entering into long academic debates. These conversations are a starting point, not a final destination.
  • We want to take a systemic approach (considering all parties involved, whether benefited or harmed) and a global perspective (considering, as far as possible, all places and the relationships between them). This does not mean that we have to address all elements at the same time, but it does mean that we have to highlight what is outside our scope.
  • We want to build a narrative that helps us position ourselves without contributing to polarization. Our goal is to unite, not to divide. We want to be able to communicate with a variety of actors across the political and social spectrum.

Where to begin?

Starting to discuss and deepen the reflection on just transitions implies understanding that the current development model adopted by the vast majority of societies needs to be modified in order to mitigate and prevent the negative impacts it generates on the climate, the environment and social inequalities (Piketty, 2013; Sen, 2016; Stiglitz, 2020; Arias and Costas, 2021).

This need for change is based on the idea that economic prosperity is inextricably linked to an egalitarian and stable society and healthy ecosystems. The environmental, social and economic dimensions must be considered on an equal footing to ensure balanced development (Raworth, 2017).

In this context, the state, at all its levels, acquires a crucial role: it must not limit itself to being a passive regulator of the economy, but must become an active agent, directing innovation and investment towards sustainable development (Mazzucato, 2018). However, this role is complicated by the crisis of liberal democracy. There is a growing dissatisfaction with the state and a weakening of public administration and the civil service (Barandiarán et al., 2023; Costas, 2023).

Bibliography

Arias, X. C., & Costas Comesaña, A. (2021). Laberintos de la prosperidad: ¿Hacia una nueva Gran Transformación? (Primera edición). Galaxia Gutenberg.

Barandiarán, X., Canel, M. J., & Bouckaert, G. (Eds.). (2023). Building Collaborative Governance in Times of Uncertainty. Leuven University Press

Costas, A. (2023). Para una política económica democrática. Atlántida Revista Canaria de Ciencias Sociales, 14, 23-44.

Mazzucato, M. (2018). Mission-oriented research & innovation in the European Union: A problem-solving approach to fuel innovation-led growth. European Union.

Piketty, T. (2013). El capital en el siglo XXI. Madrid: Fondo de Cultura Económica de España.

Raworth, K. (2017). Doughnut economics : seven ways to think like a 21st-century economist. London : Random House.

Sen, A. (2009). The idea of justice. Belknap Press of Harvard University Press.

Stiglitz, J. E. (2020). People, power, and profits: Progressive capitalism for an age of discontent (First published as a Norton paperback). W.W. Norton & Company.

Part 1 of 3

Part 1 of 3

WHAT ARE JUST TRANSITIONS?

WHAT ARE
JUST TRANSITIONS?

A transition is a process in which change occurs, whether social, economic, environmental, or a combination of these. It is a movement from one state to another.

A transition is a process in which change occurs, whether social, economic, environmental, or a combination of these. It is a movement from one state to another.

Throughout human history, transitions have constantly occurred. Some of these transitions have been profound, reshaping the development of the societies, economies, cultures, and political systems of their time. Examples include the Neolithic transition (from hunter-gatherer societies to agricultural societies), the industrial transition (from agrarian and artisanal economies to machine-driven industrialized economies), or the decolonial transition (from colonial rule to independent countries).

Throughout human history, transitions have constantly occurred. Some of these transitions have been profound, reshaping the development of the societies, economies, cultures, and political systems of their time. Examples include the Neolithic transition (from hunter-gatherer societies to agricultural societies), the industrial transition (from agrarian and artisanal economies to machine-driven industrialized economies), or the decolonial transition (from colonial rule to independent countries).

The particularity of the current transitions is the extreme interconnectedness of the changes due to globalization, as well as the increase in speed and complexity of the processes.

The particularity of the current transitions is the extreme interconnectedness of the changes due to globalization, as well as the increase in speed and complexity of the processes.

We understand transitions to be plural, in terms of time and place. There is a great diversity of transition trends taking place in different parts of the world, at different scales and contexts, and of different natures and rhythms.

We understand transitions to be plural, in terms of time and place. There is a great diversity of transition trends taking place in different parts of the world, at different scales and contexts, and of different natures and rhythms.

These trends are not necessarily novel: sometimes these transitions are a return to something that has existed before but fell out of habit for some time. Nor are they complete or irreversible: some processes start, stop, continue, or reverse. Nor are they independent or isolated: on an interdependent planet, all these trends influence each other to varying degrees.

These trends are not necessarily novel: sometimes these transitions are a return to something that has existed before but fell out of habit for some time. Nor are they complete or irreversible: some processes start, stop, continue, or reverse. Nor are they independent or isolated: on an interdependent planet, all these trends influence each other to varying degrees.

In this series of articles, we will focus on what we call just transitions to sustainability.

In this series of articles, we will focus on what we call just transitions to sustainability.

Why are we reflecting on just transitions?

  • We want to establish an expanded concept of just transitions, since collective narratives often link it merely to employment issues (e.g. job losses due to the closure of fossil fuel power plants), and we believe that transitions have implications and consequences that go beyond this.
  • We want to engage in practical conversations based on curiosity and experience, taking into account what already exists and at the same time contributing new elements. We do not pretend to arrive at “exact or perfect” definitions and will avoid entering into long academic debates. These conversations are a starting point, not a final destination.
  • We want to take a systemic approach (considering all parties involved, whether benefited or harmed) and a global perspective (considering, as far as possible, all places and the relationships between them). This does not mean that we have to address all elements at the same time, but it does mean that we have to highlight what is outside our scope.
  • We want to build a narrative that helps us position ourselves without contributing to polarization. Our goal is to unite, not to divide. We want to be able to communicate with a variety of actors across the political and social spectrum.

Why are we reflecting on just transitions?

  • We want to establish an expanded concept of just transitions, since collective narratives often link it merely to employment issues (e.g. job losses due to the closure of fossil fuel power plants), and we believe that transitions have implications and consequences that go beyond this.
  • We want to engage in practical conversations based on curiosity and experience, taking into account what already exists and at the same time contributing new elements. We do not pretend to arrive at “exact or perfect” definitions and will avoid entering into long academic debates. These conversations are a starting point, not a final destination.
  • We want to take a systemic approach (considering all parties involved, whether benefited or harmed) and a global perspective (considering, as far as possible, all places and the relationships between them). This does not mean that we have to address all elements at the same time, but it does mean that we have to highlight what is outside our scope.
  • We want to build a narrative that helps us position ourselves without contributing to polarization. Our goal is to unite, not to divide. We want to be able to communicate with a variety of actors across the political and social spectrum.

Where to begin?

Starting to discuss and deepen the reflection on just transitions implies understanding that the current development model adopted by the vast majority of societies needs to be modified in order to mitigate and prevent the negative impacts it generates on the climate, the environment and social inequalities (Piketty, 2013; Sen, 2016; Stiglitz, 2020; Arias and Costas, 2021).

This need for change is based on the idea that economic prosperity is inextricably linked to an egalitarian and stable society and healthy ecosystems. The environmental, social and economic dimensions must be considered on an equal footing to ensure balanced development (Raworth, 2017).

In this context, the state, at all its levels, acquires a crucial role: it must not limit itself to being a passive regulator of the economy, but must become an active agent, directing innovation and investment towards sustainable development (Mazzucato, 2018). However, this role is complicated by the crisis of liberal democracy. There is a growing dissatisfaction with the state and a weakening of public administration and the civil service (Barandiarán et al., 2023; Costas, 2023).

Where to begin?

Starting to discuss and deepen the reflection on just transitions implies understanding that the current development model adopted by the vast majority of societies needs to be modified in order to mitigate and prevent the negative impacts it generates on the climate, the environment and social inequalities (Piketty, 2013; Sen, 2016; Stiglitz, 2020; Arias and Costas, 2021).

This need for change is based on the idea that economic prosperity is inextricably linked to an egalitarian and stable society and healthy ecosystems. The environmental, social and economic dimensions must be considered on an equal footing to ensure balanced development (Raworth, 2017).

In this context, the state, at all its levels, acquires a crucial role: it must not limit itself to being a passive regulator of the economy, but must become an active agent, directing innovation and investment towards sustainable development (Mazzucato, 2018). However, this role is complicated by the crisis of liberal democracy. There is a growing dissatisfaction with the state and a weakening of public administration and the civil service (Barandiarán et al., 2023; Costas, 2023).

Bibliography

Arias, X. C., & Costas Comesaña, A. (2021). Laberintos de la prosperidad: ¿Hacia una nueva Gran Transformación? (Primera edición). Galaxia Gutenberg.

Barandiarán, X., Canel, M. J., & Bouckaert, G. (Eds.). (2023). Building Collaborative Governance in Times of Uncertainty. Leuven University Press

Costas, A. (2023). Para una política económica democrática. Atlántida Revista Canaria de Ciencias Sociales, 14, 23-44.

Mazzucato, M. (2018). Mission-oriented research & innovation in the European Union: A problem-solving approach to fuel innovation-led growth. European Union.

Piketty, T. (2013). El capital en el siglo XXI. Madrid: Fondo de Cultura Económica de España.

Raworth, K. (2017). Doughnut economics : seven ways to think like a 21st-century economist. London : Random House.

Sen, A. (2009). The idea of justice. Belknap Press of Harvard University Press.

Stiglitz, J. E. (2020). People, power, and profits: Progressive capitalism for an age of discontent (First published as a Norton paperback). W.W. Norton & Company.

Bibliography

Arias, X. C., & Costas Comesaña, A. (2021). Laberintos de la prosperidad: ¿Hacia una nueva Gran Transformación? (Primera edición). Galaxia Gutenberg.

Barandiarán, X., Canel, M. J., & Bouckaert, G. (Eds.). (2023). Building Collaborative Governance in Times of Uncertainty. Leuven University Press

Costas, A. (2023). Para una política económica democrática. Atlántida Revista Canaria de Ciencias Sociales, 14, 23-44.

Mazzucato, M. (2018). Mission-oriented research & innovation in the European Union: A problem-solving approach to fuel innovation-led growth. European Union.

Piketty, T. (2013). El capital en el siglo XXI. Madrid: Fondo de Cultura Económica de España.

Raworth, K. (2017). Doughnut economics : seven ways to think like a 21st-century economist. London : Random House.

Sen, A. (2009). The idea of justice. Belknap Press of Harvard University Press.

Stiglitz, J. E. (2020). People, power, and profits: Progressive capitalism for an age of discontent (First published as a Norton paperback). W.W. Norton & Company.

Do you want to know more?

To read the next article: ARE TODAY’S TRANSITIONS TO SUSTAINABILITY SOCIALLY JUST?
If you want to learn more about our approach and work, you can find us at atelieritd.org

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the members of the Atelier itd, itdUPM, Dark Matter Labs, Viable Cities and Climate KIC teams who contributed to the co-creation of these evolving reflections. Also, to Porticus for their invaluable support on this exploratory journey.

Do you want to know more?

To read the next article: ARE TODAY’S TRANSITIONS TO SUSTAINABILITY SOCIALLY JUST?
If you want to learn more about our approach and work, you can find us at atelieritd.org

Do you want to know more?

To read the next article: ARE TODAY’S TRANSITIONS TO SUSTAINABILITY SOCIALLY JUST?
If you want to learn more about our approach and work, you can find us at atelieritd.org

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the members of the Atelier itd, itdUPM, Dark Matter Labs, Viable Cities and Climate KIC teams who contributed to the co-creation of these evolving reflections. Also, to Porticus for their invaluable support on this exploratory journey.

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the members of the Atelier itd, itdUPM, Dark Matter Labs, Viable Cities and Climate KIC teams who contributed to the co-creation of these evolving reflections. Also, to Porticus for their invaluable support on this exploratory journey.

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Atelier itd is part of:

informacion@atelieritd.org
Gta. de Quevedo, 9, Piso 5, Oficina 17, Madrid

Atelier itd was created in close collaboration with the Center for Innovation in Technology for Human Development of the Technical University of Madrid (itdUPM).

Data protection information. In accordance with the RGPD and the LOPDGDD, FUNDACION INNOVACION, TRANSFORMACION Y DESARROLLO will process the data provided, in order to manage and fulfill your request. For more information about how we are processing your data and to exercise your rights, please visit our Privacy Policy.

This contact form is deactivated because you refused to accept Google reCaptcha service which is necessary to validate any messages sent by the form.

Atelier itd is part of:

We are a beneficiary entity of the European Social Fund, specifically the Program for the Promotion of Recruitment in the Community of Madrid, line of stable hiring of young people. Funds obtained with the support of the Community of Madrid and co-financed by the European Union.

© atelier itd 2024 All rights reserved | by Marmarru Studio

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transparency | legal advice | privacy policy | cookies policy

© atelier itd 2024 All rights reserved | by Marmarru Studio

transparency | legal advice | privacy policy | cookies policy

© atelier itd 2024 All rights reserved
by Marmarru Studio

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