Towards a just energy transition: Lessons and challenges from the Global South

During COP28, nations committed to tripling renewable energy capacity worldwide to meet climate goals and mitigate the worsening impacts of climate change. The Global South plays a key role in this transition, not only by expanding renewable energy infrastructure but also by creating the conditions that foster development in regions where these projects are deployed.

As this transition accelerates and investments increasingly target large-scale projects in the Global South, the challenge of ensuring that it is just, inclusive, and equitable becomes more pressing. The main goal of this panel is to open the discussion and create a space for exchange among participants from the Global South, focusing on the challenges associated with scaling large-scale renewable energy.

The session will begin with an overview of the JustRE Alliance and the challenges of scaling renewable energy in the Global South, followed by experiences and lessons learnt from South Africa, India, and Latin America, about responsibly deploying renewable energy in ways that actively involve and benefit local communities.