Towards a theory of just transition: A neo-Gramscian understanding of how to shift development pathways to zero poverty and zero carbon

Abstract

As a global community, we need to understand better how a just transition can shift development paths to achieve net zero emissions and eliminate poverty. Our past development trajectories have led to high emissions, persistent inequality and a world that is fragmented across multiple contradictions. How can countries shift to development pathways that deliver zero poverty and zero carbon? In developing a theory of just transition, the article begins by reviewing a range of theoretical approaches from different traditions, building in particular on neo-Gramscian approaches. It applies and modifies core components of Gramsci’s approach, building a neo-Gramscian theory of just transitions around concepts of ideology, hegemony, change agents and fundamental conditions. The theory suggests how coalitions of change agents can come together behind a just transition. The coalition needs to gain broader support, establish a new cultural hegemony in support of just transitions and be able to transform the fundamental conditions of the 21st century. The article briefly considers how this better understanding can be applied to the practice of shifting development pathways. The penultimate section reflects on limitations, including that a fuller development of a theory of just transition will require application for detailed concrete examples and a community effort. Together, we might address the multiple challenges of our present conditions to transition to development that enables human flourishing and a healthy planet.

Operationalising positive tipping points towards global sustainability

“…There will be losers as well as winners. Hence it is vital to consider whether and how this exacerbates or reduces current inequalities and what social safety nets can help ensure a just transformation (Newell & Mulvaney, 2013; Newell & Simms, 2021; Sovacool, 2021; Winkler, 2020). Good intentions do not necessarily translate into good outcomes.…”

The Implications of Green Employment: Making a Just Transition in ASEAN

“…The concept of a JT has a longer history, emerging some thirty years ago in the US as a way to conceptualise and respond to the environment versus jobs narrative that was arising, with negative employment impacts from the introduction of environmental legalisation in the US preventing air and water pollution, which was significantly impacting and/or closing down some industries operating in the US [2,9]. The adoption of the JT linked with climate change strengthened through the first decade of this century as global union organisations promoted the term.…”

“…There are varied theoretical bases for a JT, drawing on fields including sustainability transitions [18][19][20], climate and environmental justice [21,22], development theories [9,18,23] and labour studies [5]. To date, much of the focus of the just transition literature has been on energy system transition [9,13,15,22,24], and specifically, the phase-out of coal in the energy system [15,16,25,26].…”

“…Some authors have sought to broaden the focus of JT beyond climate policy to other environmental issues including plastic and chemical pollution, the creation and disposal of toxic substances, and biodiversity and eco-systems [10,27]. Other authors envisage broader parameters for JT [9,18], as encompassing the just and equitable socioeconomic transformations is required to meet both the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement.…”

Regime resistance and accommodation: Toward a neo-Gramscian perspective on energy transitions

“…McDonald [65] refers more broadly to 'electric capitalism' as the regime that governs electricity in South Africa. Most recently a neo-Gramscian approach has been developed to help conceptualise elements of a 'just transition' [66]. Gramscian approaches explore how the alignment of different forms of material, institutional and discursive power sustain a coalition of forces that benefit from the prevailing model of electricity generation and supply.…”