Submission: Views on the process for operationalisation of a Just Transition Mechanism

March 2026

Introduction

COP30 represented a breakthrough in operationalising Just Transition at the UNFCCC with decision 5/CMA7 outlining key principles and aspects that must be taken into account when advancing Just Transition and agreeing to develop, for decision in 2026, a Just Transition Mechanism (for civil society the Belem-Antalya Mechanism – BAM). The BAM will transform all those principles into a coherent, ambitious and actionable framework under the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement, by identifying barriers, creating enabling conditions, providing international support to realise a just transition for workers, communities and countries.

Building upon earlier proposals, this submission constitutes an initial contribution by the Climate Action Network to the conversation on the operationalisation of the Just Transition Mechanism. CAN remains committed to continue engaging with Parties, rightholder constituencies and non-Party stakeholders so that an ambitious, innovative and fit for purpose BAM is launched at COP31.

1. Recalling COP30 agreement on purpose of the mechanism and expectations of a rapid setup

According to decision 5/CMA7, the agreed purpose of the JT Mechanism will be to:

• “enhance international cooperation, technical assistance, capacity-building and knowledge sharing, 
• enable equitable, inclusive just transitions”

Of utmost importance is that the JT Mechanism builds on the key messages and agreements as per the COP30 decision, notably when it comes to translating the purpose of enabling “equitable, inclusive” Just Transitions, by ensuring equity aspects, rights and the importance of real and meaningful inclusion of rightholders in Just Transition processes remain central.

Paragraph 12 of the COP30 decision also describes different aspects of what international cooperation implies: 

“(s) The essential role of innovation and technology transfer for enabling just transitions (…) and access to affordable and context-appropriate technologies; 

(t) The need to address barriers, including limited institutional capacity, implementation gaps, and financial and technical constraints faced by developing country Parties in the context of just transitions; 

(u) The importance of strengthening international cooperation on mobilizing finance, technology and capacity-building support for facilitating the implementation of nationally determined just transitions in a socially inclusive and equitable manner;

(v) The importance of continued efforts to support just transitions through measures that avoid exacerbating debt burdens and create fiscal space for countries to advance on pathways towards low emissions and climate-resilient development.”

2. Inputs on the Belem-Antalya Mechanism on Just Transition (BAM) Functions

With the purpose set at COP30, the BAM should have the following functions.

Coordination, Coherence and Inclusion: The Mechanism will continuously map existing Just Transition initiatives, identify gaps, steer the overall mechanism, and ensure Just Transition efforts are aligned with the Paris Agreement objectives and the principle of Common But Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC) and the purpose agreed at COP30. It will also provide an inclusive space for state and non-state actors to actively contribute to its work, notably for workers, communities and all rightholder groups mentioned in the COP30 decision. It should proactively look at how the principles agreed at the UNFCCC and the purpose is progressing and guide improvements. This work needs to be connected to developments outside the UNFCCC (e.g. ILO, UNCTAD), within the UNFCCC (e.g. CTCN, KCI) and to the voices of multiple actors involved in developing and deploying Just Transition approaches. The BAM could track implementation progress and provide opportunities for course correction. This includes regular stocktaking, periodic assessments, stakeholder consultations, and transparent reporting. Tracking how Just Transition support is being deployed will also contribute to more informed Knowledge and Action/Support components.

Knowledge Sharing and Generation: The mechanism will serve as a global hub for practitioners, facilitating dialogue, sharing best practices, and generating new knowledge to inform policy.

Action and Support: The mechanism will facilitate support to countries, matchmaking between projects and funders, and work to  mobilize and channel non-debt-inducing finance, technical capacity and technology transfer, particularly for developing countries. Support should be deployed for all aspects of JT delivery, including JT planning development, rightholders’ involvement and capacity and JT implementation. Support provided through the BAM should also contribute to strengthening how just transition pathways are reflected in national and subnational climate planning(e.g. in NDCs, NAPs, LTS or other planning instruments). 

3. Inputs on modalities of the BAM

The BAM should have:

• A Committee on Just Transition inclusive of Parties and Non-Parties actively contributing to Just Transition pathways, which will meet at least quarterly online and at least once a year in person. The Committee will be responsible for convening and organising activities under the Mechanism (Expert groups, forums, assemblies of practitioners, dialogues, delivery of support).  Organisations and initiatives mapped by the Secretariat can also be invited to join. 

The participation of non-Parties should not be limited to consultations but include opportunities to contribute to agenda setting, knowledge generation and monitoring of just transition pathways; and it should be organised in ways that are safe and inclusive for right-holders, notably those representing climate-affected communities.

As a permanent Committee, it will report to COP and have a dedicated agenda item where issues which could benefit from negotiation would be put at the table and discussed.   

• A Just Transition Technical Body, with balanced regional Party and right-holder representation as per COP30 decision, will prepare the agenda for the Committee meetings and dialogues, collect and cluster projects seeking for support, identify gaps and suggest elements for discussion at COP to the Committee.

• Dedicated Secretariat support from UNFCCC and other supportive organisations, working under the guidance of the Committee and the Technical Body.

• Dedicated budgetary support, provided by supportive Parties and members of the JT practitioners community, which should contribute funding to developing countries and right-holders representation in all aspects of the Mechanism. 

4. Inputs on the relationship between the BAM and the JTWP

Decision 3/CMA.5 agreed to review the effectiveness and efficiency of the JT Work Programme and review its modalities.

CAN suggests ensuring the JTWP becomes the Knowledge-sharing component of the BAM, receiving guidance on topics and work from the to-be-created JT Committee and JT Technical Body. 

5. Elements to ensure rapid implementation of the decision

COP31 decision on the launch of the BAM should contain a series of operational measures seeking to ensure that the Mechanism will start working in 2027. This includes:

• A decision to hold the first face to face meeting of the Just Transition Committee in April 2027. The Technical Body and one of the annual dialogues of the JTWP (now part of the BAM) could take place back to back. This would allow for any major input for the negotiations to be conveyed in time for the SBs. 
• Parties should consider offering to host the first meeting of the Just Transition Committee and agree on a host by the time of COP31.
• At least two other meetings of the Just Transition Committee should be held virtually in the second half of the year.
• As the Technical Body has regional representation, it would be appreciated if groups could start consultations on their representation between SB64 and COP31, to show readiness for rapid implementation.