Climate-driven injustice is a significant economic and social concern associated with the transition towards a Net-Zero future. Such a transition requires global and domestic environmental policies to be not only more environmentally sustainable but also socially just. Any major reduction in global emissions to reach a Net-Zero society is, in fact, entangled in diverse aspects, such as economics, politics, culture and geography, and is not achieved only by technological development. Especially if the Asian context is considered, there should be a transformation of society with a long-term and holistic perspective in order to avoid recurrent failures in the past economic and social development that could leave the currently disadvantaged further behind. Thus, the basic goal of just transition in Asia should not be limited to spurring technological development and policies that compensate workers in fossil fuel industries and fossil-fuel-dependent communities, but solutions that can make a Net-Zero society a better future for all. This session will discuss how Asia can make the transition to an environmentally-friendly and socially just Net-Zero society. Specific topics that this session covers are 1) China's approach to just transitions based on global experiences with coal phase-out (classic just transition perception); 2) Japan's food system transitions based on citizens participation (broadening the scope to include citizens); and 3) Korea's youth climate activism (an issue that includes but goes beyond intragenerational conflict). Finally, the session will help envision environmentally sustainable and socially just Net-Zero transitions in Asia.

Session flier

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