Expert dialogue on Just Energy Transition Partnerships
Conversations alongside the launch of INETTT’s new just transition brief
On 29 April, the International Network of Energy Transition Think Tanks (INETTT) hosted a global webinar to launch its latest brief, Just energy transitions in developing countries: Experience from JETP initiatives. The event gathered energy and climate experts from across INETTT and beyond to examine early lessons from the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), a relatively new climate finance mechanism aimed at supporting ambitious decarbonisation in developing countries, while ensuring that such transitions are socially equitable.
Opening the discussion, panellists emphasised that while the urgency of the climate crisis demands rapid transformation of energy systems, these transitions must be grounded in justice to succeed. The new INETTT brief explores three key dimensions of a just transition: distributional justice (who bears the costs and who benefits); procedural justice (who has a voice in shaping the transition); and recognition or restorative justice (how past harms and structural inequalities are addressed).
Speakers noted that defining what “just” means in practice is critical to building trust and enabling genuine partnership. While broad societal engagement is essential, transitions must centre the needs of those most directly affected: workers, local communities and the informal sector. A just transition requires fair distribution of both costs and benefits, and the brief argues that JETPs are most effective when they are not only country-owned but also people-owned, with strong protections for labour rights and social welfare.
Another key message from the webinar was the importance of meaningful engagement. This goes beyond simply informing communities; it means ensuring that people understand, participate in and shape transition processes. This includes communication in local languages and institutionalising responsibility for oversight and accountability, rather than leaving it to affected communities to demand this themselves.
The conversation also addressed finance gaps. Current JETP financing structures remain heavily reliant on loans, with too little concessional or grant-based support. To truly deliver just outcomes, speakers stressed the need for more accessible, grant-heavy finance that aligns with the scale of transformation required. In addition, fulfilling the promises of technology transfer embedded in many JETP agreements will be crucial to their long-term impact.
The event reinforced a shared understanding among participants: JETPs offer significant potential to support climate goals in developing countries – but only if justice is not just a principle, but a practice embedded throughout design and implementation.
Catch up on the webinar Just energy transitions: Experience from JETP initiatives and download the slides.
