Editor’s Pick: Just Energy Transition Blogs

Advancing a just transition to a low-carbon economy is an important action for realizing USAID’s 2022-2030 Climate Strategy. The Agency is committed to inclusive, gender-equitable, and participatory decision making and development processes. The following blogs highlight how USAID programs are using these processes to support a just energy transition.  

COP28 Calls for a Just Energy Transition: Here’s What USAID’s Doing to Meet the Challenge

One major theme of COP28 was advancing a just energy transition. USAID’s Climate Strategy emphasizes climate actions that provide broader development benefits, like food and water security, health, peace, and education, to promote equitable and just outcomes while advancing a cleaner energy sector.

Beyond Technology: Empowering Leaders through the Women in Power System Transformation Initiative

Women make up half of the world’s workforce potential but are underrepresented in the power sector, especially in technical and leadership roles. The transition to clean energy is not just about technology; it requires a shift in the way we think about energy systems and the role of women in the sector. The USAID-National Renewable Energy Laboratory Partnership is working to address this gender gap to ensure a just energy transition.  

Can “Big” Clean Power Benefit Indigenous Communities?

Given the scale of the energy transition that is needed to address the climate crisis, some worry only large projects run by big companies can achieve it, and that the benefits will not trickle down to marginalized communities. However, clean energy projects in Latin America show that even large, utility-scale renewable power projects can bring durable benefits to historically marginalized Indigenous communities. 

USAID’s Climate Strategy in Action: Empowering Women Leads to Sustainable Power

Engendering Industries support USAID’s Climate Strategy targets of reducing emissions and helping countries reach their mitigation goals by enhancing gender equality in the renewable energy sector. Companies with inclusive workplace policies and cultures report greater innovation, creativity, and overall business performance. 

Clean Energy, Clean Air

Air pollution is the world’s largest environmental health risk, accounting for one in eight deaths annually, 95 percent of which occur in low- and middle-income countries. With smart partnerships and investments, USAID can help advance a global transition to clean energy that will make impacts across air quality, health, poverty, gender equity and social inclusion, ecosystem degradation, and climate.

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