Investment zone’s support for a fair, just transition

We know that reducing our reliance on fossil fuels is critical to our net zero future. We need to support a Just Transition for Glasgow which implements decarbonisation that meets our climate ambitions. This is more urgent than ever.

We can and must do more locally to provide a greener, fairer future. The new investment zone can deliver on our commitment to set out an ambitious, net zero transition plan and lay the foundation for a just and prosperous future, in which no one is left behind.

In the autumn of 2022, the Glasgow City Council established a cross party Just Transition Working Group and this working group has drawn on a wide range of people’s knowledge and experience to help shape our city’s future as we move from a post-industrial to a post-carbon city.

The Just Transition Working Group report and its 18 recommendations have been published. 

This report provides a focus on four areas including the Just Transition approaches adopted by Scottish Government, as well as the preparations by the private sector. The key role of communities, trade unions and citizens is also detailed in the report. In addition, the Council’s actions to enable a just transition to take place are outlined.

In the coming weeks, there will be an opportunity to engage in discussions on the 18 recommendations and their implementation through a new investment zone. This work can support green skills and jobs, including apprenticeships and retraining programmes to retain the local skilled workforce for the rollout of net-zero projects such as local heat networks and the renewables supply chain.

We have to follow a Just Transition process with workers and the businesses at the forefront.

The investment zone’s support for a fair and just transition is an environmental necessity and is absolutely key to our city’s security.