A just transition – change that leaves no one behind

Restructuring the economy is key to making climate action socially just for everyone. This applies to phasing out coal, oil and gas, establishing sustainable business models and creating jobs of the future. 

Our holistic approach combines aspects of climate neutrality, social justice and economic development: 

• Training and retraining initiatives
• Promoting applied research into climate-friendly technologies
• Fair, sustainable supply chains and production methods
• Individual advisory services for small and medium-sized enterprises, including financing and market access for the development of green business models 

The shift to renewable energy plays a particularly important role in a just transition. A just energy transition is not just about technology, it is also about people: millions of jobs, entire regions and social structures are part of this change. 

We support our partners worldwide in: 

• Expanding renewable energy
• Using natural resources and energy more efficiently
• Developing a sustainable energy and hydrogen economy
• Promoting social dialogue and protection for those affected. 

This creates new opportunities for companies, the workforce and local value creation. 

Making the just transition a success requires strong social measures in addition to new technology: 

• Access to education and careers guidance
• Assistance with entry and reentry into the labour market  
• New, secure jobs with prospects. 

We use our longstanding experience and provide support in developing and implementing suitable measures. This not only facilitates the transition, but it also ensures support from a broad social basis. 

A successful transition to a climate-friendly economy requires people with the right know-how. People who lose their jobs due to the transition can retrain or upskill and switch to future-proof sectors with a secure income. We: 

• Help to identify demand for ‘green’ qualifications and develop suitable curricula
• Advise schools, colleges and universities
• Ensure that businesses are involved in the process at an early stage. 

In many regions, the fossil fuel phase-out is an existential challenge. 

GIZ is providing support in developing new, sustainable economic structures locally through: 

• Regional innovation promotion
• Education and training for green jobs
• Support for small and medium-sized enterprises
• Investment in social infrastructure
• Early involvement of all stakeholders, cross-sectoral networking and a greater understanding of social impacts 

 The result is a regional transition that not only safeguards jobs, but also creates long-term stability. 

A just transition also means participating instead of just being affected. GIZ is therefore creating a framework for:

• participation platforms for workers, municipalities and informal workers
• Access to information, including for disadvantaged groups
• Dialogue between the state, the private sector and civil society
• International experience and approaches are integrated into our advisory services and the PartiCipate concept.  

A just transition needs investment as well as good ideas We support our partners in: 

• Creating access to public and private funding sources
• Improving frameworks (e.g. tax systems, budget planning, debt rules) in a specific country and making strategic use of environmental and climate finance
• Channelling capital into climate-friendly areas.   

An essential requirement for a just transition is people’s trust – in fair change and a balanced distribution of responsibility and burdens. However, legislation often seems complex or is passed without adequate consideration of the population’s interests 

Trust is formed when rules are transparent, courts operate impartially and people know how to assert their rights. Because trust takes time, we pursue a dual strategy: fast, concrete steps that deliver immediate results, and long-term reforms that bring about lasting structural change. This creates a solid framework for a just transition.