The International Labour Organization and the European Commission (EC) will co-host the Just Transition Pavilion at the upcoming 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference of Parties (COP30) in Belem, Brazil, from 10 to 21 November, in partnership with the International Organisation of Employers (IOE), the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
This marks the fourth consecutive time that the ILO and the EC will co-host the Pavilion, which is part of the ILO's wider call for a just transition, based on social dialogue aimed at reaching consensus among governments, employers, and workers.
Located in the Blue Zone of the Conference premises, the venue will bring together representatives from governments, workers, employers, and diverse stakeholders to exchange knowledge and highlight how social dialogue can help transform climate commitments into concrete action.
The Just Transition Pavilion at COP30
On 11 November, the opening of the Pavilion will convene high-level political representatives, workers' and employers' organizations, local communities, and civil society to align ideas with implementation, objectives with feasibility, and narratives with action. It will help bring people together around the social dimension of the climate agenda, the just transition, and the priorities set by the COP Presidency.
Throughout the two weeks of the Conference, the Pavilion will serve as a space for informal consultations on negotiations, host events on different aspects of a just transition, outline pathways for implementing Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) based on just transition principles to integrate climate, social and economic goals, and promote knowledge exchange and networking among Parties and non-Party stakeholders.
What's new this year at the Just Transition Pavilion
This year, all activities at the Pavilion will be organized under the following four themes aimed at promoting action-oriented discussions:
- "Job creation through climate action", highlighting opportunities for decent work in the green economy
- "Protection", emphasizing social protection and resilience for workers, businesses and communities
- "Social dialogue and stakeholder engagement", promoting inclusive participation in shaping fair climate policies
- "Means of action", focusing on enablers such as finance, technology, and capacity-building for effective implementation
Each theme aims to attract broad participation from COP30 attendees across sectors and areas of expertise, and to provide participants with opportunities to explore specific issues, share lessons learned and good practices, and exchange relevant experiences. Each theme will also feature "policy labs", sessions dedicated to the exchange of knowledge and experiences of the implementation of just transition at national level.
On 12 November, the ILO will host a special event at the Pavillion: "Brazil Day". It will showcase the country's climate actions, policies, and experiences in promoting a just transition, highlighting practices that generate green jobs, protect workers and employers, and strengthen social dialogue and means of implementation. Participants will include representatives from the Brazilian government, employers' and workers' organizations, and civil society.
ILO Contribution to COP30
At the Conference, the ILO will also help advance the Brazilian Presidency's Action Agenda by promoting decent work and social justice across its priorities. It will participate in Activation Groups on fossil fuel transition, poverty reduction, education and job creation, and innovation.
During the Summit, the ILO will provide technical expertise and policy advice to promote coherence between ambitious climate action, decent work, and social justice, in its official capacity as a UN observer at COP30.
Useful links
- United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
- ILO Portal at COP30
- Topic portal - Just transitions towards environmentally sustainable economies and societies.
- https://www.ilo.org/topics-and-sectors/just-transition-towards-environmentally-sustainable-economies-and-societies
- ILO Guidance Note - Unlocking more and better jobs: Integrating sustainable enterprises for a just transition in Nationally Determined Contributions
