UN Climate Change News 3 September 2025 - The United Nations climate body's Katowice Committee of Experts has published a new report that aims to help governments and organizations navigate the complex challenge of transitioning workers to clean energy economies without leaving anyone behind.
The report, "Compilation and Synthesis Report on Guidelines and Policy Frameworks for Just Transition of the Workforce and the Creation of Decent Work and Quality Jobs," was published this week by the Katowice Committee of Experts on the Impacts of the Implementation of Response Measures (KCI), marking a step forward in addressing one of climate action's most pressing social challenges.
The comprehensive report consolidates leading frameworks, toolkits, and real-world case studies designed to assist governments, businesses, trade unions, and civil society organizations in developing inclusive, evidence-based workforce transition policies. The publication identifies current best practices while highlighting critical gaps in existing approaches and providing practical tools to support equitable low-carbon development.
In their preface, the KCI Co-Chairs, Moustapha Kamal Gueye and Angelina Mensah, stressed the importance of this work.
"This report addresses the challenge of translating high-level principles into actionable strategies with limited access to comprehensive, practical resources. Our collective goal is ensuring no worker or community is left behind as we accelerate toward net-zero economies," they wrote.
The new publication underscores the important role of just transition in advancing climate ambition, while safeguarding livelihoods, promoting decent work, and ensuring fairness and equity across regions and generations.
The KCI, established to support countries participating in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), has built a substantial body of work since its creation. The committee assists Parties to the Convention in assessing and addressing the impacts of climate policies and response measures on their economies and societies.
Previous KCI publications have included technical papers, workshops, and reports covering just transition strategies, economic diversification, and socio-economic impact assessment tools. These resources help countries align their climate action plans with broader sustainable development objectives.
The latest report represents the committee's continued effort to bridge the gap between international climate commitments and practical, on-the-ground implementation that protects workers and communities during the global energy transition.
