Asia and the Pacific Just Transition Social and Human Impact Forum (JT-SHIFT)

Proposed

The TA will establish the Asia and the Pacific Just Transition Social and Human Impact Forum (JT-SHIFT), a commitment in the ADB Climate Change Action Plan 2023-2024. The JT-SHIFT will focus on the social dimensions of actions to create a low emissions economy. Expanding and enhancing the preliminary analytical support provided to DMCs under the Just Transition Support Platform launched at COP 26, the JT-SHIFT will build knowledge and tools to avoid a disproportionate impact on the poor and vulnerable, of a whole of society, whole of economy shift, and seize development opportunities as they arise.A regionally based research entity will administer the ADB convened hub. The JT K-Hub will support capacity building by: (i) identifying knowledge demand from DMCs for country specific, as well as regionally relevant research; (ii) responding to demand and developing specific or with collaborators, co-created knowledge and research products, or case studies for DMCs; (iii) convening an annual Just Transition social dimensions event for DMCs and JT K-Hub collaborators; (iv) supporting ADB projects on Just Transition with specific social research; and (v) disseminating JT K-Hub products using multiple channels including JT K-Hub web page, social and legacy media, events, workshops and an annual forum. The TA directly supports implementation of Strategy 2030 Operational Priority 1 by focusing on the social impacts of the transition, identifying mitigation and adaptation strategies. Other initiatives on Just Transition exist (e.g., London School of Economics; The Indonesia Just Energy Transition Platform). They are often focused solely on coal or energy, or in one country. Value addition from ADB is a regional focus exclusively on social dimensions, with comprehensive sectoral coverage. The work of the hub will emphasize the opportunities that can be generated for groups most likely to be left behind in the transition - the poor and socially excluded. It will support DMCs with the knowledge and policy tools needed to meet both their Paris agreement commitments and the sustainable development goal of "leaving no one behind".