Just Transition: reshaping communities reliant on fossil fuel production
Release Date: 09/08/2023
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What happens when over a thousand climate-focused events converge in one city? At Climate Week NYC 2025, the private sector showed up in force, bringing bold ideas, collaborative energy and a clear shift from strategy to delivery. In this episode of EY Sustainability Matters, host Matthew Bell shares insights from leaders across various industries-utilities, consumer goods, technology and agriculture-as well as NGOs interviewed on the sidelines of EY-hosted events. Hear how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming sustainability efforts, enabling smarter and faster decisions in the race...
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Host Matt Bell explores the pivotal role of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in shaping climate policy and investment strategies. He interviews four experts to get their insights. Joanna MacGregor, a senior advisor at the UN Climate Change (UNFCCC), explains how NDCs have evolved into comprehensive national climate plans that can drive economic growth and resilience. Antonina Scheer, Policy Fellow at the London School of Economics and Research Project Manager at the Transition Pathway Initiative Centre, discusses the challenges of financing climate action in emerging...
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Despite the popular belief that slavery is a thing of the past, it is estimated that slavery affects around 50 million people globally. Human exploitation for labour and other forms of modern slavery are embedded within the supply chains of many of the products and services that we choose to consume regularly, whether we are buying clothes, electronics, or even a bar of chocolate. This is becoming an increasing concern for business as well. Mounting pressure from both legislative bodies that introduce new regulations and a new generation of consumers, who seem to be willing to pay more for...
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info_outlineThe necessary transition away from fossil fuels toward clean energy can be extremely disruptive for people and communities reliant on fossil fuel plants and mines for jobs. How can the power generators support these communities and achieve a just transition to a cleaner energy future?
In the latest episode of the Sustainability Matters podcast, host Bruno Sarda, Principal at Ernst & Young LLP and Shannon Roberts, CCaSS Power and Utilities Leader at Ernst & Young LLP, interview Sandy Nessing, Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer at American Electric Power (AEP) about how the company is developing a new model for a just energy transition.
Nessing points out that the current economy is heavily fossil fuel-dependent, so the green energy transition has to be implemented thoughtfully to avoid severe social and economic risks. People reliant on the plants and communities built around them should be considered when driving the energy transition.
Nessing shares an example of AEP’s Pirkey Plant in the US, in the process of being decommissioned. She gives listeners insights into how AEP created a transition task force and engaged with community leaders to help mitigate the impact on the local people.
Both Roberts and Nessing agree that power plants form their own unique social and economic ecosystems, and a proper, just transition requires thoughtful intention and may take a long time. Hence the importance of early planning, including engagement and collaboration with communities, and retaining and leveraging partnerships with stakeholders in the company’s value chain.
Key takeaways include:
- The transition to cleaner power generation should involve supporting communities dependent on the fossil fuel industry.
- Green energy transition impacts people not just in the industry itself, but also those in the supply chain and regional economy.
- Engaging with leaders from every area of the community is vital: from local politicians to school superintendents.
- The top priority of a just transition should be to keep people, taxes and jobs within the same region.
- Planning ahead is vital to allow time for a proper just transition in full collaboration with local communities.
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