Transitional Future

Harrington, Alexandra R. (2022) Transitional Future. In: Just Transitions and the Future of Law and Regulation :. Palgrave Studies in Environmental Transformation, Transition and Accountability, 1 . Palgrave Macmillan, London, pp. 197-216. ISBN 9783031061813

Abstract

After mapping the route taken by just transitions to date, and its flexibility in the face of expanding opportunities for use, this chapter moves on to propose a future for just transitions. This future is one in which there are a number of pressing issues competing for legal and regulatory attention yet each having the ability to be analysed through and advanced by the use of the just transitions framework. These future scenarios will demonstrate the ways in which just transitions can be expanded to respond to a variety of circumstances because, at heart, it must be understood to be a philosophy of inclusion and equity in decision-making that impacts multiple constituencies, with the very strong likelihood of advantaging some while disadvantaging others unless steps are taken to ensure that these disadvantages are addressed in an appropriate way, recognizing the inherent dignity of the individuals and communities impacted as well as the impacts on future generations. Using this definition, the parameters of just transitions can be seen as infinite in the construction of future law and regulation.