Are you passionate about creating a more equitable and sustainable future for coastal regions? Are you interested in exploring the concept of ‘Just Transitions’ in the context of coastal communities and ecosystems? If so, we invite you to become a part of the ‘Just Transitions’ Sub-Working Group, a FEC initiative aimed at fostering meaningful discussions, research, and actions towards a more just and sustainable coastal transition.
About the Sub-Working Group:
Coastal communities, often dependent on coastal ecosystems and resource-based economies, face unique socio-economic and environmental dynamics that require careful consideration. In coastal contexts, a just transition – a response to climate and sustainability challenges that does not intensify existing inequalities or create new ones, especially in resource-dependent communities – is thus vital. Anchored within the framework of FEC, the ‘Just Transitions’ Sub-Working Group is committed to tackling the challenges and opportunities entailed in transitioning coastal regions toward sustainability. This endeavour aligns with the overarching FEC theme of “Pathways to Coastal Sustainability”.
We work with strategic partners to enable coastal communities, their governing authorities, and stakeholders to identify and choose credible, relevant and legitimate coastal sustainability pathways for just, resilient and sustainable coastal development. Work will include understanding barriers and enablers for transitioning to coastal sustainability, and identifying practical processes to identify and institutionalize transitions to alternative resilient futures that have justice and fairness at their core. Central to our mission is the inclusive empowerment of society and its institutions to make well-informed decisions that reconcile conflicting interests. By translating the wealth of coastal sustainability knowledge into tangible action, we aspire to bridge the gap between understanding and practical implementation.
Reference documents:
– Future Earth Coasts Strategy for Research 2018-2028: https://www.futureearthcoasts.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/FEC-Research-Strategy.pdf
– Our Coastal Futures. Strategy for the Sustainable Development of the World’s Coasts: https://www.futureearthcoasts.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Coastal-Futures-Pub_F4.pdf
Highlights of previous ‘Just Transitions’ webinars:
Our inaugural session, titled ‘Just Transitions’, laid the groundwork by elucidating the fundamental principles of just transitions and their applicability to the coast:
– https://www.futureearthcoasts.org/fec-fellows-session-just-transitions/
–https://www.futureearthcoasts.org/summary-report-of-fec-fellows-session-just-transitions/
The second session shed light on identifying and empowering vulnerable communities in coastal ecosystem restoration, ensuring sustainable livelihoods in small-scale coastal fisheries, and developing participatory governance models for coastal environmental management and decision-making.
Get involved
If you’re passionate about making a meaningful impact on research and actionable initiatives to enable just transitions in coastal sustainability, we welcome you to take an active role in our Sub-Working Group. Together, we are dedicated to shaping a fair and sustainable future for coasts around the world.
To join the ‘Just Transitions’ Sub-Working Group and to stay updated on upcoming sessions and events, please send an email to: [email protected]. We’re excited to embark on this transformative journey together.