At COP30 in Brazil last week, governments representing about 80 per cent of the world’s population delivered a unified call for a Just Transition Mechanism. Canada, along with other wealthy countries, did not support the G77/China proposal. This is a missed opportunity for Canada to demonstrate leadership on the global stage on an issue that is also critical at home.

The world is shifting away from fossil fuels like coal. This is essential to fight the worst impacts of climate change. Renewable energy development could also create millions of jobs and boost the global economy. 

As essential as this transition is, it also carries huge risks. Workers in industries such as coal mining face job losses. Without a plan, the transformation of the energy sector could deepen inequality and leave entire communities behind.  

This is why the idea of a just transition is so important. The term began with US labour unions in the 1970s, who wanted to protect workers from the economic impacts of more stringent environmental regulation. More recently, it has become a........

© National Observer