IHRB launches new database to “demystify” just transitions

A new global database launches today (Tuesday 11 February 2025) featuring 50 inclusive projects that are seeking to prioritise the rights of people most impacted by net zero.

Compiled by the Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB), the JUST Stories Database is a first-of-its-kind, practical resource for business, finance, government, unions and civil society.

It showcases the breadth of action, diversity of actors, and innovation of thinking already available for practitioners to learn from when designing inclusive climate action that doesn’t harm - and actually creates opportunities for - people most impacted by the shift to net zero. 

Featuring an initial 50 transitions-in-action, the database spans global initiatives across sectors including energy, agriculture, finance, and the built environment, where the people impacted by decarbonisation are actively involved in transition design in various ways. 

This database is not a quality assessment of the transitions included. Instead, it brings together examples of different approaches being trialled to inspire a groundswell of just transition learnings.

Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland, former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and co-chair of the JUST Stories Advisory Council, said:

“It is often said that we are at an early stage in our understanding of ‘just transitions’. So we urgently need to find, share, and learn from examples of climate action that are effectively reflecting peoples’ needs and involving them in the design.

“We will not win the race with graphs and statistics on emissions alone. We need to win hearts and minds through stories and examples. Resources like this database showcase the early-stage but innovative ways people are putting human rights and justice at the heart of net zero transitions - through co-creation with affected workers, Indigenous groups, and local communities.”

Sharan Burrow, former General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation and co-chair of the JUST Stories Advisory Council, said:

“Transitioning to net zero is non-negotiable, but it cannot happen at the expense of workers and communities. Fears about what net zero means for jobs and livelihoods are a significant barrier to decarbonisation, and the only way to address these is by co-creating net zero designs hand-in-hand with the people who will be impacted.

“The JUST Stories Database demonstrates how governments, businesses, communities and civil society are already piloting ways of building these social contracts for transition projects, giving affected people confidence that we can reach net zero with jobs fit for the future and shared prosperity for all.”

Haley St. Dennis, Head of Just Transitions, IHRB, said:

"From climate summits to corporate sustainability commitments, just transitions are taking centre stage. But with these often focused on theoretical modelling and KPIs, it is easy to lose the human dimension. That is why we have gathered examples where people are successfully involved in the decision-making and design.

"The JUST Stories Database is not trying to define the ‘perfect’ just transition - there is likely no such thing and it will be years before we know if transitions achieve truly ‘just’ outcomes. The aim is to demystify just transitions, inspire greater learning-by-doing and encourage sharing of ideas.”

The database aggregates publicly available examples of people-focused net zero transition projects around the world, at various stages of maturity. It is not an endorsement of the projects included. Nor is it an assessment of engagement quality at this early stage of just transitions implementation. Its aim is to demystify ‘just transitions’, inspire greater learning-by-doing and encourage sharing of ideas about how to advance rights-respecting, inclusive, and efficient climate action that doesn’t harm - and actually creates opportunities for - people living on the frontlines of change.

JUST Stories is a global project dedicated to finding and telling stories of people working together to advance just transitions. 

As well as the database, JUST Stories is producing a series of deep-dive stories on just transitions around the world that are deep into implementation and delivering impressive results. Launching today is ‘Collie: A blueprint for the world’s eight million coal workers?’. This solutions journalism feature by freelance journalist and photographer Oliver Gordon tells the powerful story of a coal town in Western Australia where workers are taking control of their own just transition.

To explore the JUST Stories Database - and to share your just transition story to help shape international approaches to net zero - please visit www.just-stories.org.

• JUST Stories is a solutions journalism project that will see IHRB report on the shortcomings, challenges and unintended consequences of the net zero transition, without political agenda or influence. 
• The database aggregates publicly available examples of people-focused net zero transition projects around the world, at various stages of maturity. It is not an endorsement of the projects included – after all, it can only be the impacted workers, Indigenous groups and local communities who will determine whether their transitions are ultimately ‘just’ in both process and outcome.
• This database is not an assessment of engagement quality at this early stage of just transitions implementation. Its aim is to demystify ‘just transitions’, inspire greater learning-by-doing and encourage sharing of ideas about how to advance rights-respecting, inclusive, and efficient climate action that doesn’t harm - and actually creates opportunities for - people living on the frontlines of change.

• JUST Stories is a solutions journalism project that will see IHRB report on the shortcomings, challenges and unintended consequences of the net zero transition, without political agenda or influence. 
• IHRB is seeking media outlets and journalists around the world for JUST Stories partnerships. We are flexible to arrangements with prospective media partners and are keen to explore everything from providing the finished piece to collaborating with media partners on the reporting.  
• The first deep-dive story - ‘Collie: A blueprint for the world’s eight million coal workers?’ - will be available from Tuesday 11 February 2025 under a Creative Commons Licence. We welcome the republishing of the article with appropriate attribution. 
• For information about becoming a JUST Stories media partner and co-publishing the next story on the day of its launch, please contact Emma Parrott, Media Manager: emma.parrott@ihrb.org.