The South African cabinet has approved the USD 80 billion (ZAR 1.5 trillion) Just Energy Transition Implementation Plan (JET-IP). Formulated by the presidential climate task team last year and officially unveiled by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the COP 27 climate conference in Egypt last year, the cabinet approval saw several months of delay due to opposition from key stakeholders. A union spokesperson and other political parties condemned the approval and asked for more consultations.

Czechia plans to devote a larger part of the EUR 1.7 billion it receives through the European Union’s Just Transition Fund to large-scale strategic projects. The Environment Ministry admits that certain risks are associated with strategic projects but that the strict obligation to utilise the funds quickly required innovative implementation. Non-governmental organisations have criticised strategic projects for what they claim are non-transparent selection processes, huge spending, and the fact that some projects involve companies operating in the fossil industry.

According to the climate counsellor at the embassy of the United Kingdom in Hanoi, Vietnam’s implementation plan to spend the USD 15.5 billion offered as part of the country’s Just Energy Transition Partnership was finalised on November 23. Calling it a “really important milestone” after months of negotiation, he further explained that the plan will be officially announced at the COP 28 climate conference in Dubai starting this week.

The International Energy Agency found that investments in clean energy technologies drove demand for new workers in every region of the world. But alongside the positive trends, a shortage of skilled labour has emerged as a key barrier to ramping up growth, according to a survey carried out with 160 energy firms globally. While some fossil fuel companies are retraining workers internally, this is not an option everywhere. Retrained workers from outside the energy sector will be essential.

The Global Sustainability Standards Board (GSSB)—the independent body that sets the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards—has opened a public comment period for two draft revised standards on climate change and energy. Principles of a just transition have been incorporated into the climate change standard. The relevant metrics, among others, include the number of jobs created, eliminated, and redeployed; the number of employees that received training; and the locations where the plan impacts local communities and Indigenous Peoples.

International lenders, including the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the World Bank, are backing a EUR 3 billion plan to support North Macedonia as it phases out coal-fired power, which supplies 40% of the country‘s energy needs. Known as the Just Energy Transition Investment Program (JET-P), the plan follows similar efforts to retire coal plants more quickly in South Africa, Indonesia, and Vietnam and is expected to be announced at COP 28.

The World Benchmarking Alliance’s (WBA’s) latest Electric Utilities Benchmark, developed with CDP to assess companies globally, shows that the sector needs to make more progress to meet global climate goals. This is particularly the case for just transition indicators, which cover various aspects, including planning, retraining, and advocacy. For these indicators, the top-performing company scored only 12.5 out of a possible 20, with an average score across the sector of just 3.

Indonesia’s Comprehensive Investment and Policy Plan (CIPP)–a document key to mobilising funds promised by the Just Energy Transition Partnership–has been formally launched. This followed the release of a draft version of the plan for public consultation at the start of November, which did not result in any major changes. With this milestone completed, Indonesia’s Ad-Interim Chief Minister for Investment Affairs is calling for an immediate disbursement of the funds.