A people-centred approach ensures the benefits and costs involved in the transformation of our energy system are distributed fairly and in a way that protects the most vulnerable in society. People-centred clean energy transitions require a focus on skills, decent jobs and worker protection; social and economic development; equality, social inclusion and fairness; and engaging people as active participants.
When the Danish government in December 2020 reached an agreement with a broad majority in the Danish Parliament to phase out fossil fuel extraction in the country by 2050, it also committed itself to ensuring a just transition for impacted regions and the approximately 4 000 workers (direct and indirect) currently employed by the oil and gas industry. One element of the agreement is the allocation of 90 million DKK for the development and transition of the Port of Esbjerg into a regional hub for largescale offshore wind.
The Danish Minister for Climate, Energy and Utilities Dan Jørgensen has served as chair of the IEA Global Commission on People-Centred Clean Energy Transitions. The Commission convened 30 energy ministers and high-level participants to explore how to enhance the success of clean energy transitions through a stronger focus on their socio-economic impacts and people’s participation and inclusion in them. The Commission published its set of recommendations on 26th October in time to assist decision makers at COP26 and beyond by describing ways of ensuring clean energy transitions being people-centred.