26 February 2019: UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed highlighted the importance of socially just transitions with regard to achieving both the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on climate change. Citing examples of recent action taken by the governments of Germany and Spain, Mohammed called for a “well-managed just transition through climate-resilient and inclusive development” to drive economic growth, create jobs, eradicate poverty and facilitate inclusion and prosperity for all.
The 2030 Agenda calls for universal social protection and addresses social protection in SDG 1 (no poverty) and SDG 10 (reduced inequalities).
Mohammed argued that “all governments will need to address the downside” of transitioning to a low-carbon economy, emphasizing that this transition must maximize opportunities for economic prosperity, social justice rights and social protection, and leave no one behind. She said such a transition will require country-specific mixes of macroeconomic, industrial, labor and sectoral policies to create an enabling environment with decent work opportunities and social protection and skills development. Mohammed emphasized governments’ responsibility to define coherent policies to support a just transition and drive social and behavioral change, while also recognizing the importance of partnerships with employers’ and workers’ organizations, civil society and other stakeholders in developing social consensus on transitions.
On addressing the social impacts of economic and industrial restructuring, the Deputy Secretary-General observed that job losses are likely in economic sectors with significant fossil fuel resources, but said there is “significant promise” for job creation in a green economy. She described how Germany’s national government prioritized addressing the social impacts of a transition from coal to renewables, and sharing a timetable to phase out coal burning. She also highlighted Spain’s “just transition plan” for closing the country’s coal mines.
Mohammed underscored the importance of mutually supportive action on the climate and sustainable development agendas, observing that SDG 1 (no poverty), SDG 2 (zero hunger), SDG 3 (good health and well-being), SDG 6 (clean water and sanitation), SDG 14 (life below water) and SDG 15 (life on land) are all at risk without significantly increased climate action. She called for addressing the two agendas in tandem to ensure policies and programmes achieve maximum impact, and co-benefits and trade-offs are understood. Mohammed recognized the multiple dimensions of inequality, including in relation to access to education and health care, income and jobs.
The event on ‘2030 Agenda and the Paris Agreement: Towards a Fair and Sustainable Globalization’ took place in Madrid, Spain, on 26 February 2019.
SDG 10 will be the focus of an in-depth review at the July 2019 session of the UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF). Also in 2019, both the 57th session of the UN Commission for Social Development (CSocD57) and the 63rd Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) identified social protection as their priority theme, and linked the issue to addressing inequalities, access to services and sustainable infrastructure. The July 2019 HLPF has the overall theme, ‘Empowering People and Ensuring Inclusiveness and Equality.’ [UN Deputy Secretary-General Address]