Expert Exchange: Restoring Balance – Embedding ecosystem restoration in the just energy transition

Ecosystem integrity is a cornerstone of a truly just transition. As countries move away from fossil fuels and reshape their economies, restoring and protecting ecosystems plays a crucial role in ensuring that transitions are not only socially fair but also environmentally sustainable. Yet, ecosystem restoration is often overlooked in just transition planning, despite being fundamental to sustaining livelihoods, supporting climate change adaptation, and strengthening community resilience — all essential dimensions of justice.  

This Expert Exchange will explore how ecosystem restoration can be effectively integrated into just transition pathways, particularly in contexts affected by coal mining, mine closures, and other land-intensive activities. Through concrete examples of environmental restoration, the session will highlight how ecological recovery can advance social inclusion, biodiversity restoration, and climate resilience, while also addressing key challenges and persistent gaps. By bringing together practitioners and experts from different regions, the discussion will emphasise that a just energy transition is not complete without nature’s recovery — and that ecosystem restoration provides a tangible pathway to align social, economic, and ecological justice.  

Speakers:

+ Francisco Tovar Rodríguez, Deputy Director General, Instituto para la Transición Justa (Spain).   

+ Jenny Brereton, CEO, Mine Land Rehabilitation Authority (MLRA), Victoria (Australia).  

+ Gonzalo Melej, Decarbonization Project Coordinator, Chile Sustentable.  

+ Catalina Gonda, Co-chair, CAN Ecosystems WG

Moderated by Anabella Rosemberg – Climate Action Network International  

Simultaneous translation will be available in English and Spanish.