The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s Roundtable on Science and Technology for Sustainability, in collaboration with the Board on Energy and Environmental Systems and the Board on Science Education convened a one-day public workshop, Challenges and Opportunities towards a Just Transition and Sustainable Development on Monday, July 24, 2023.
The workshop discussed just transitions and sustainability initiatives across the globe, including key measurement frameworks and the nexus between just transitions and the Sustainable Development Goals. Participants discussed the role of the private sector, including how small and medium-sized enterprises could benefit from just transitions, and positive case studies relating to opportunities for education and inclusive skills development for clean energy transitions.
The workshop was designed to provide scientific input to the discussions of a Private Sector Summit, to be held on the margins of the United Nations 2023 SDGs Summit in September. This publication summarizes the presentations and discussion of the workshop.
Agenda, Monday, July 24, 2023, 9:00 am - 4:30 pm EDT
Welcome from the Roundtable on Science and Technology for Sustainability
Franklin Carrero-Martínez (National Academies), Klaus Tilmes (Senior Policy Advisor and Development Consultant, Roundtable Co-Chair), and Cherry Murray (University of Arizona, Roundtable Co-Chair)
Workshop Overview and Objectives
Jeff Martin (Tribal Planet, Workshop Chair)
Framing Remarks: The Interrelated Concepts of a Just Transition and Sustainable Development
Brian Motherway (International Energy Agency)
Panel I: Key Measurement Frameworks for Just Transitions and Sustainable Development
Moderator: Nebojsa Nakicenovic (The World in 2050)
Panelists: Marek Harsdorff (International Labour Organization), Vicky Sins (World Benchmarking Alliance), and Noam Lior (University of Pennsylvania)
Panel II: Investing for Just Transitions and Sustainable Development
Moderator: Beatriz Sanz Sáiz (Ernst & Young)
Panelists: Pierre Audinet (The World Bank), Riva Krut (Formerly Linde, PLC), and Lupe Villatoro and Tania Smith Taylor (U.S. Department of Energy)
Panel III: Small and Medium-sized Enterprises for Just Transitions and Sustainable Development
Moderator: Anne Roby (Formerly Linde, PLC)
Panelists: Jennifer Holmgren (LanzaTech), Natalie Shemwell (SME Climate Hub), and Marcel J. Castro-Sitiriche (University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez)
Panel IV: Just Transitions, Education, and Inclusive Skills Development
Moderator: Gillian Hinde (Ernst & Young)
Panelists: Andrés Henríquez (Education Development Center), Brian Mandell (Smithsonian Institution), and Elizabeth Yeampierre (Climate Justice Alliance)
A Path Forward: Future Needs and Opportunities
All Participants