Summary:

This paper argues that just transition (JT) frameworks built for developed economies don't fit the realities of the Global South — where the challenge isn't just managing the decline of fossil fuel industries, but industrializing, expanding energy access, and reducing poverty while also decarbonizing. The paper reviews major existing JT frameworks (UNFCCC, EU, G20, China, Brazil) and analyzes the climate plans (NDCs) and transparency reports of 66 developing countries to see how JT is actually being defined and pursued on the ground. From this, it builds a new evaluation framework organized around three pillars — Goals (where countries want to end up, climate and development-wise), Pathways (how they're getting there, e.g. green jobs, investment, industries), and Readiness and Capacity (whether they have the social safety nets, finance, and institutions to pull it off) — then tested this framework against real country data to show it can help identify gaps and guide more tailored, country-led policy.

Suggested citation:

Hu Min, Xindi Li, Li Yang, Jingning Liu and Yuhao Wang. 2026. “Accelerating Green and Just Transition in the Global South A Country-led, SDG- aligned, and People-centered Framework for Action.” Chinese Journal of Urban and Environmental Studies, 14(1): 2650013-1 to 2650013-37

License:

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0)