Just Transition
A fair and just transition for all
Climate change means we must urgently shift away from oil and gas.
Workers and communities currently reliant on the fossil fuel industry must be empowered to shape this transition to ensure it is fair.
With public control of energy we can take power away from profit-driven oil and gas companies. With the right support and investment decent green jobs can be created as we move to renewable energy.
Ending our dependency on fossil fuels is an opportunity to replace our broken energy system with one that prioritises people and planet, instead of profit.
Workers must be at the heart of our transition
The experience and skills of offshore oil and gas workers is crucial to building the renewable energy we need. Work in the fossil fuel industry has been insecure and precarious for years, with worsening pay and conditions for many.
Offshore workers tell us that they would consider leaving the sector if the right opportunities existed. The UK and Scottish Governments must ensure communities and workers most affected by the transition are at the heart of planning this change.
An energy system powered for us all
Our research has shown that three times as many decent green jobs can be created as currently exist in the oil and gas industry.
The transition away from an economy based on fossil fuels is an opportunity to create a better society and protect the poorest from climate impacts. If the transition is led by people and communities, they can ensure it is truly fair and meets their needs.
What we are doing
- Working with trade unions on industrial policies that can deliver a fairer, greener economy
- Speaking to offshore workers about their experiences and hopes for the future
- Helping communities in the North East to organise and lead the call for an energy transition that meets their needs
- Putting pressure on politicians to provide the certainty of an end date to fossil fuel production to shape transition plans.
Oil workers blocked from transition by training costs and duplication
We spoke to workers about how we can support the move from oil and gas jobs to renewables They backed a new training system to help ease this transition.
Read more
Why people must lead the transition away from fossil fuels
The transition away from fossil fuels is a way to create a better society and protect the poorest from climate impacts
We spoke to offshore oil and gas workers
They told us about a precarious industry that most of them would consider leaving if the right opportunities arose.
What happened at our COP26 Just Transition Hub?
Read about what happened and watch videos of the discussions in Glasgow.
Report reveals oil and gas expansion plans
Our major report has revealed that UK oil and gas drilling plans are incompatible with responding to the climate emergency. The research also shows that, with the right policies and support, clean industries could create more than three jobs for every oil and gas job.
Read moreHow we are making progress
- Pushing the need for a Just Transition up the political agenda
- Getting Offshore Training Passports discussed in Parliament
- Shaping the Just Transition Commission and winning support for Just Transition Plans
- Building connections and support between climate and trade union activists.
Latest Blogs
MPs miss opportunity to remove barrier to energy transition
MPs voted against the plan to cut training costs and duplication for people wanting to move into renewable energy.
Business trying to delay energy transition away from fossil fuels
The industry has realised they are losing the argument badly and things are about to get serious.
What happened at our COP26 Just Transition Hub?
The Just Transition Hub, organised by Friends of the Earth Scotland, Platform, STUC, TUC, War on Want and the Just Transition Partnership.
Latest Press Releases
BP profits show ‘fundamentally broken’ energy system
The oil giant announced £6.9 billion profits in just 3 months.
Shell profits show energy system ‘unfit for purpose’
Outrage at the announcement of oil giant Shell’s profits of £9.5billion in just 3 months.
Just Transition: Scottish Government must act on climate action recommendations
Trade unions and environmental organisations are calling on the Scottish Government to show real commitment to fairly cutting climate pollution throughout the economy and to embrace the recommendations of the…
Resources
Delivering a Just Transition to Net Zero and Climate Resilience
To keep the global temperature rise below 1.5℃, a rapid phase out of fossil fuels, towards renewables must happen this decade. Friends of the Earth Scotland believe the urgent need to transform our economy in this way is an opportunity to build a fairer and more equal Scotland.
Offshore Training Scheme amendments briefing for the Skills and Post-16 Education Bill
The future of the North Sea and ensuring a Just Transition away from fossil fuels
Climate change demands a fair and managed phase-out of oil and gas extraction and production over the next decade.
The future of the North Sea and ensuring a Just Transition
The International Energy Agency is clear that to limit warming to 1.5ºC there should be “no new oil and gas fields approved for development” anywhere in the world.
● Scotland and the UK must transition away from fossil fuels towards renewables, while supporting the workers and communities most affected.
● Continuing support and investment for oil and gas slows the energy transition through carbon lock-in and increased risks from stranded assets. Every delay damages the prospects of a well-planned just transition for workers.
● To support the North East economy the Scottish Government must ensure that affected workers and communities are at the heart of planning the Just Transition
Delivering a Just Transition to Net Zero and Climate Resilience
Briefing ahead of a Scottish Parliament Debate on Delivering a Just Transition to Net Zero and Climate Resilience
Workers Case Studies for debate on The Need for an Offshore Training Passport
Related work
Our calls for a just transition are part of a wider campaign on fossil fuels.
We are also working for an end to exploration and drilling for oil and gas in UK waters.
The fossil fuel industry backed ideas of Carbon Capture and Storage and Hydrogen are delaying tactics to stop the end of new oil.
Working with partners we can ensure a fair deal for workers and communities
No new oil & gas
Fossil fuels must be stopped to safeguard our future
Carbon Capture & Storage and Hydrogen
Greenwashing technologies that risk prolonging the life of oil and gas
Just Transition Partnership
Trade unions and environmentalists are working together for fair climate solutions
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