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A fair distribution of costs and benefits in Scotland’s Just Transition: findings from deliberative research
The Scottish Government’s approach to climate change is underpinned by a commitment to deliver a just transition. The Climate Change Plan 2018-2032 update emphasises that a just transition “puts people, communities and places at the heart of our approach to climate change action.”
The concept of ‘fairness’ is fundamental to delivering a just transition. However, determining what ‘fair’ means in practice, particularly when seeking to deliver a fair distribution of costs and benefits from the transition (i.e. distributive justice), raises complex moral and ethical questions.
This study carried out a programme of deliberative public engagement to inform the design and delivery of Just Transition Plans in the transport, built environment, and land use and agriculture sectors.
Through carefully designed and facilitated deliberative engagement methods, this project gathered well-considered and informed public views on how to ensure distribution of costs and benefits of the transition to net zero is fair for all. The project also gathered views on how specific policy options within the transport, built environment, and land and agriculture sectors could be implemented fairly.
Findings
Participants felt that we all have something to contribute towards the costs of the transition to net zero, including the Scottish Government, businesses and citizens.
They wanted to see an equitable approach, meaning that everyone contributes but not all in the same way or by the same amount. They felt that a fair distribution of costs must take account of different circumstances, including:
- the amount of control someone has over their level of emissions
- the availability of lower carbon alternatives
- their ability to pay.
They also supported a progressive form of taxation to fund some of the changes required across key sectors, with higher income individuals and businesses paying more.
The report sets out specific findings relating to the transport, built environment and construction, and land use and agriculture sectors.
If you require the report in an alternative format, such as a Word document, please contact info@climatexchange.org.uk or 0131 651 4783.
Measuring a just transition
Monitoring and measuring a just transition is important to achieve a fairer, greener future for all, and to ensure the process is a partnership with those impacted by the transition to net zero.
To help the Scottish Government develop it’s just transition monitoring framework further reports summarise approaches to just transition monitoring and evaluation in other jurisdictions, and identify possible baseline variables to include in the framework.
Monitoring and evaluation of a just transition in Scotland – Summary report on international lessons
Proposed just transition baseline variables built environment and construction sector
Proposed just transition baseline variables land use and agriculture sector
Proposed just transition baseline variables energy sector
Proposed just transition baseline variables transport sector
Just Transition Commission: Measuring and Evaluating Success in the Scottish Just Transition