A Just Transition in Jordan : The Role of Trade Unions

The Paris Agreement, which was ratified in 2015, provides a global institutional framework for countries to work together to address climate change. The agreement requires that countries take steps to combat climate change, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions by adopting new technologies and policies for the transition to a net-zero energy economy, or at a minimum, a low-carbon economy. This involves expanding renewable energy sources, energy efficiency, and gradually phasing out fossil fuels by 2050. Policy makers are concerned that energy transition efforts could lead to unintended disruptions in the labor markets. One of these consequences could be the loss of jobs in sectors that rely on fossil fuels. This requires decision makers in Jordan to adopt actions that support a just transition and to endeavor to pursue policies that address labor market disruptions through a governance framework that involves stakeholders in the decision-making process and offers clear mechanisms for strengthening participation. The success of these efforts depends upon the capacity of trade unions in Jordan to establish a strategic approach to supporting a just energy transition. This will require deliberate efforts to mobilize political support and to hold community dialogues with governmental bodies, as well as to incorporate a just transition into Jordan’s climate agenda and to build alliances with civil society organizations.