Project

The Global South Alliance for a Just Transition to Renewable Energy (JustRE)

Active project

2024

Project contacts

José Vega Araújo / jose.vega@sei.orgMbeo Ogeya / mbeo.ogeya@sei.org

As the transition to renewable energy increases in pace, the challenge of ensuring that it is just, inclusive, and equitable is becoming increasingly pressing. The Global South Alliance for a Just Transition to Renewable Energy (JustRE) represents an opportunity for an inclusive and expansive network to amplify voices and strengthen the Global South ecosystem affected by and concerned with the phasing in of utility-scale renewable energy.

Based on the challenges we see in the sector upon which the Alliance is built, JustRE’s mission is to serve as a strategic platform for multiple stakeholders from local communities to civil society organisations, governments, and the private sector working towards socially responsible renewable energy deployment.

Objectives

Facilitate an open conversation: A collaborative space will be established where a diverse range of stakeholders can share their experiences, best practices, and insights related to community engagement and local benefits derived from renewable energy projects. This will encourage cross-learning and foster innovation.
Build partnerships for greater impact: By converging different organisations, the initiative seeks to support the initial creation of conversations that can lead to nurturing partnerships between public, private, and non-profit entities in the respective countries and regions. In addition, knowledge partnerships between the networked organisations will be instrumental in enhancing their strategies to foster community-focused renewable energy projects with maximum social and economic benefits.
Enhance equity and inclusivity: The initiative will emphasize the importance of ensuring that communities affected by large-scale renewable energy projects are actively involved in our conversations and decision-making processes. It will also explore ways to address potential challenges and disparities to create more equitable outcomes.
Identify actionable strategies: Through collaborative discussions, the initiative will identify and develop actionable strategies for promoting more equitable and just renewable energy deployment and activating thinking for future work.

The JustRE Alliance convened by the Initiative for Social Performance in Renewable Energy (INSPIRE) in partnership with the Responsible Energy Initiative (REI), Iniciativa Climática de México (ICM) and SEI gathered in Ağva, Istanbul, Türkiye, to document practical experiences to guide practitioners in inclusive renewable energy deployment.

Twelve practitioner experts spent five days in a writing process facilitated by Book Sprints, including SEI’s José Vega and Mbeo Ogeya. The first day was filled with productive brainstorming and collaborative discussions on the content of the book. Thereafter, a writing and editing process of four days allowed for the documenting of the practical lessons and promising examples from the respective contexts.

The written document is currently under design, and primarily written by practitioners for practitioners, especially those in an intermediary capacity working with various stakeholders in the deployment of utility-scale renewable energy. The book covers chapters related to responsible land and water management, responsible supply chain management, and effective community engagement and benefit sharing.

By sharing insights and experiences from local initiatives, fostering international collaboration, and highlighting the global impact of these efforts, the Alliance aims to demonstrate that a just and equitable deployment of renewable energy is possible and desirable for all. Through documented collective efforts, practitioners can find some of the tools and inspiration needed to drive meaningful change.