Dr Kirsten Jenkins from the School of Social and Political Science (SPS) has guest edited a special issue of the journal Climate Policy featuring articles from leading researchers providing fresh evidence and global perspectives to shape the ongoing COP28 negotiations.
Special issue of climate journal guest-edited by SPS academic provides new evidence and perspectives for COP28 negotiations
The new research published in the issue calls for more ambitious net zero targets and demonstrates the urgent need to ensure ‘just transitions’ in the phase-out of oil and gas; these are transitions that avoid perverse incentives, mitigate job losses, engage the public around just transition processes and steer investment to new clean energy and industry solutions. This research emerges as conversations over oil and gas are ongoing at COP28, and calls mount for a formal energy transition deal at the climate summit.
This special issue covers globally diverse country contexts including from the Republic of Ireland, Scotland, Norway, Guyana, Suriname, Uganda, Lebanon, Somalia, Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and Canada. Central to each paper is an examination of the potential of uniting market-led oil and gas just transitions with net zero emission ambitions, while ensuring fair outcomes for workers and communities across the whole oil and gas value chain.
Dr Jenkins, who works within SPS’ Science Technology and Innovation Studies subject area, said: “Initial estimates suggest that in November 2023, for the first time, global average surface temperatures were more than 2°C above pre-industrial levels. This timely special issue feeds into evidence for a just transition away from oil and gas at a time where rapid action is ever more pressing.”
The special issue was inspired by the Oil and Gas Transitions project, co-led by Climate Strategies and the Stockholm Environment Institute.
