Just Transition
We have established a Just Transitions Unit to help share and coordinate the work of transitioning New Zealand to a low emissions economy.
On this page
What is a ‘Transition’?
Many factors affect the lives of New Zealanders, including global forces such as climate change, COVID-19, and economic changes as well as national factors such as policy and regulatory change.
At times, these factors will impact a region heavily enough that if not addressed may result in negative impacts on certain communities To best address this, a concerted effort will be needed by communities to adapt and manage the impacts and take advantage of opportunities – we call this a Transition.
What is a 'Just Transition'?
In general terms, a 'Just Transition' in New Zealand is a strategy to move a region toward a low carbon future. It is about a region leading their own transition to ensure that the impacts and opportunities that may arise from the transition are more evenly distributed.
Transitions have traditionally disadvantaged some groups more than others. In a Just Transition, this is acknowledged and incorporated into planning to make the transition more fair, equitable and inclusive.
Read more about the latest Southland Just Transition announcement, including funding for the Regional Hydrogen Transition project.
Southland just transition(external link) — southlandjusttransition.nz
A Just Transition in New Zealand
A key focus of a Just Transition in New Zealand is to ensure that regions are activated and supported to plan and manage the social, economic, and environmental impacts of a transition. A successful transition is where regions can identify and then act upon new opportunities and manage the impacts in a way that is fair and just.
We recognise that there are many communities in a region and that their perspectives are imperative in order to achieve the ‘Just’ in a ‘Just Transition’. Previously this has been achieved through working with key Pou (or key groups) in a region such as:
- Iwi
- Local government
- Education providers
- Business
- Workers (normally represented by unions)
- Community organisations
- Central government
For guidance on how to run a local just transition process, visit the just transition guide.
A guide to just transitions | He puka arataki whakawhitinga tika
For guidance on how to search and apply for funding, as well as links to funding portals run by government, private and philanthropic organisations, visit the resourcing just transition processes.
MBIE commissioned Litmus Consulting as a social research evaluation and design consultancy, to research the partnership model adopted by the Just Transition Partnership team in its first partnership role. The full findings of the research was published in February 2021 and are set out below:
In this section
The Just Transition Partnership team
The Just Transition Partnership team supports regional partners to understand, plan and navigate their transition in a way that is fair and equitable – a just transition.
Regional Hydrogen Transition
The Regional Hydrogen Transition programme will support early consumers of green hydrogen in New Zealand by bridging the price gap between green hydrogen and fossil fuel alternatives.
Just Transitions for Taranaki
Following the announcement that there would be no new offshore oil and gas exploration permits in New Zealand in 2018, the Government embarked on a Just Transition Partnership with Taranaki where the oil and gas sector is a large part of the local economy.
Just Transitions for Southland
The Government has cemented its commitment to secure a bright economic future for Southland, by launching an economic road map for the region as it navigates the impending closure of the New Zealand Aluminium Smelter.
A guide to just transitions
A guide to just transitions for communities in Aotearoa New Zealand.
He puka arataki whakawhitinga tika mō ngā hapori i Aotearoa.
Resourcing just transition processes
Resources are important to make new things happen and to sustain and extend what is already underway.
Contact us
To get in touch with the Just Transitions Partnerships team please email justtransitions@mbie.govt.nz.