1. Introduction

A Just Energy Transition (JET) Framework is a legal, policy and institutional framework for moving from fossil-fuel-dependent energy systems toward cleaner, low-carbon and renewable energy without unfairly shifting the economic and social costs of transition onto workers, consumers, vulnerable communities or resource-dependent regions.

The concept therefore combines three objectives:

Environmental protection and decarbonisation

Energy security and economic development

Social justice, employment protection and participation

The International Labour Organization (ILO) describes just transition as a process that maximises the social and economic opportunities of environmental action while minimising and managing its challenges, with particular emphasis on decent work, social protection and social dialogue. (International Labour Organization)

A JET framework is consequently broader than a conventional renewable-energy policy. It asks not merely “How quickly can coal, oil and gas be replaced?”, but also “Who bears the costs, who receives the benefits, and how are affected people included in the transition?”

2. Meaning of Just Energy Transition

A just energy transition involves the restructuring of the energy system from:

coal/oil/gas → renewable energy, energy efficiency, storage, electrification and low-carbon technologies

while protecting affected social and economic interests.

For example, closure of a coal mine may reduce greenhouse-gas emissions but can simultaneously cause:

loss of employment;

decline in local tax revenue;

deterioration of regional economies;

loss of livelihood for contractors and informal workers;

stranded infrastructure;

increased electricity prices if replacement capacity is poorly planned.

A genuine JET framework therefore requires transition planning before closure, rather than treating social consequences as an afterthought.

The ILO framework emphasises social dialogue among governments, employers and workers and recognises social protection, skills development and decent work as central elements of transition policy. (International Labour Organization)

3. Core Elements of a Just Energy Transition Framework

A. Climate and Environmental Objectives

The first component is a legally and institutionally credible pathway toward lower greenhouse-gas emissions.

This may include:

renewable-energy deployment;

energy efficiency;

coal-phase-down strategies;

electrification of transport and industry;

battery and other storage systems;

green hydrogen;

carbon-market mechanisms;

grid modernisation;

climate-resilient infrastructure.

The transition must nevertheless consider environmental impacts associated with renewable infrastructure, including land acquisition, biodiversity loss, mining of critical minerals and transmission corridors.

Thus, “renewable” does not automatically mean “just.”

B. Worker Protection

Workers in coal mining, thermal generation, oil refining and related industries can experience significant disruption.

A JET framework should therefore provide:

retraining and reskilling;

income protection;

unemployment assistance;

pension protection;

relocation assistance where necessary;

preferential access to new green jobs;

recognition of transferable skills;

worker participation in transition plans.

The ILO specifically places decent work, labour rights, social protection and social dialogue within the normative architecture of just transition. (International Labour Organization)

C. Regional Economic Diversification

A coal-dependent district cannot necessarily become economically sustainable simply by constructing renewable-energy projects.

A proper framework may establish regional transition plans, including:

alternative industries;

renewable-energy manufacturing;

clean-technology clusters;

infrastructure investment;

education and vocational institutions;

small-business finance;

public investment in affected communities.

This is particularly important where a single industry has historically supported an entire region.

D. Energy Affordability and Energy Poverty

Justice also concerns consumers.

If energy transition policies substantially increase electricity prices, low-income households may experience energy poverty.

Therefore, JET policies should consider:

lifeline electricity tariffs;

targeted subsidies;

energy-efficiency programmes for low-income households;

distributed solar;

community energy projects;

affordable clean cooking;

reliable electricity access.

A transition that reduces emissions but leaves vulnerable households unable to afford electricity raises serious questions of distributive justice.

E. Procedural Justice

People affected by energy projects should have meaningful opportunities to participate in decision-making.

This includes:

public consultation;

environmental impact assessment;

access to information;

consultation with workers and trade unions;

participation of indigenous and local communities;

transparent compensation mechanisms;

grievance-redress mechanisms.

The ILO's approach specifically identifies social dialogue as an important mechanism for just-transition policymaking. (International Labour Organization)

F. Distributive Justice

Distributive justice asks how the benefits and burdens of transition are allocated.

For example:

Conversely, benefits such as green jobs, investment and cleaner air should not be concentrated only in wealthy urban areas.

4. Institutional Framework

A comprehensive JET framework normally requires coordination among:

energy ministries;

environmental authorities;

labour ministries;

electricity regulators;

local governments;

financial institutions;

utilities;

workers' organisations;

employers;

civil society;

affected communities.

South Africa's Just Transition Framework provides an important comparative example. It was designed as a planning tool identifying principles, at-risk sectors and value chains, policy areas, governance arrangements and financing mechanisms. (Climate Laws)

This demonstrates that just transition is not simply an environmental programme; it is a cross-sector governance framework.

5. Financing a Just Transition

JET requires substantial investment.

Possible sources include:

public budgets;

climate finance;

multilateral development banks;

green bonds;

concessional finance;

carbon-market revenues;

private investment;

transition funds.

Financing should include social-transition costs, rather than funding renewable generation alone.

A transition fund could, for example, finance worker retraining, regional economic diversification and rehabilitation of abandoned mining sites.

6. Indian Legal Framework

India does not yet have a single comprehensive statute called a Just Energy Transition Act. Instead, JET principles emerge from several areas of law and policy, including:

Constitution of India;

Electricity Act, 2003;

Energy Conservation Act, 2001;

Environment (Protection) Act, 1986;

environmental-impact assessment framework;

labour and social-security legislation;

renewable-energy policies;

electricity-regulatory mechanisms;

climate and sustainable-development policies.

India's legal system therefore permits a JET framework to develop through constitutional rights + environmental law + electricity regulation + labour protection + public policy.

7. Important Indian Case Laws

7.1 M.K. Ranjitsinh v. Union of India (2024)

This is one of the most significant recent Indian climate-law decisions.

The Supreme Court recognised a constitutional right to be free from the adverse effects of climate change, linking climate impacts with Articles 14 and 21. The Court also examined India's renewable-energy transition and the tension between climate objectives and protection of the Great Indian Bustard. (Indian Kanoon)

Importance for JET

The case demonstrates that energy transition cannot be treated purely as an economic question. Climate protection can implicate fundamental rights, while renewable-energy infrastructure must itself respect biodiversity and other constitutional/environmental interests.

7.2 Southern Power Distribution Co. of Andhra Pradesh v. Green Infra Wind Solutions Ltd. (2026)

A 2026 Supreme Court decision concerning renewable-energy generation and tariff regulation is particularly relevant to energy-transition governance.

The Court recognised that regulatory decisions may need to balance energy security, consumer interests, developer stability and environmental concerns, including global warming, while interpreting electricity legislation. (Indian Kanoon)

JET significance

The case illustrates an important principle: transition requires regulators to integrate environmental objectives with the economic and regulatory interests of consumers and energy developers.

7.3 Vellore Citizens' Welfare Forum v. Union of India (1996)

The Supreme Court incorporated principles such as:

sustainable development;

precautionary principle;

polluter-pays principle.

These principles provide an important legal foundation for managing the environmental consequences of energy production.

JET significance

A just transition requires environmental costs to be internalised rather than transferred to communities and future generations.

7.4 Hanuman Laxman Aroskar v. Union of India (2019)

The Supreme Court emphasised the importance of a meaningful environmental decision-making process and consideration of relevant environmental information.

JET significance

Energy transition projects—solar parks, transmission lines, hydro projects, mining for critical minerals and hydrogen facilities—must remain subject to lawful environmental assessment and procedural fairness.

8. Comparative Case Law: South Africa

8.1 Earthlife Africa Johannesburg v. Minister of Environmental Affairs (2017)

The case concerned authorisation of the proposed Thabametsi coal-fired power station.

The High Court held that climate-change impacts were relevant to environmental authorisation and required proper consideration. The court stressed the relationship between climate change, environmental protection and sustainable development. (SAFLII)

JET significance

The case demonstrates that energy-policy decisions cannot necessarily be insulated from climate considerations. Climate impacts can become legally relevant to project-level decision-making.

8.2 Fuel Retailers Association v. Director-General, Environmental Management (2007)

South Africa's Constitutional Court explained that sustainable development requires integration of environmental protection with social and economic development. It rejected the idea that environmental and developmental considerations operate as completely separate legal compartments. (SAFLII)

JET significance

This reasoning closely supports the conceptual foundation of a just energy transition: environmental protection, economic development and social welfare must be considered together.

9. Just Transition and Human Rights

A JET framework has an important human-rights dimension.

Energy systems affect:

life and health;

livelihood;

housing;

food and water security;

equality;

employment;

participation;

access to electricity.

Consequently, energy-transition legislation should apply a rights-based approach.

The framework should identify particularly vulnerable groups and require decision-makers to assess how transition policies affect them.

10. Challenges

Several difficulties remain:

1. Fossil-fuel dependence

Rapid closure may threaten energy security and employment.

2. Financing

Developing countries may face insufficient fiscal capacity.

3. Regional inequality

Coal-producing regions can suffer disproportionately.

4. Critical minerals

Renewable technologies require minerals whose extraction can create environmental and social conflicts.

5. Regulatory fragmentation

Energy, labour, environment and industrial policies may operate independently.

6. Participation

Consultation can become symbolic unless communities receive information and genuine opportunities to influence decisions.

11. Model Just Energy Transition Framework

A practical legal framework can therefore be structured into eight pillars:

Decarbonisation — legally credible emissions-reduction pathway.

Energy security — reliable and affordable replacement capacity.

Worker justice — retraining, income protection and decent green jobs.

Regional diversification — economic support for fossil-fuel-dependent regions.

Consumer protection — affordability and energy-poverty safeguards.

Environmental justice — protection against new ecological burdens.

Participatory governance — workers, communities and civil society involved in decisions.

Transition finance and accountability — dedicated funding, monitoring and judicial/regulatory review.

12. Conclusion

The Just Energy Transition Framework represents a shift from understanding energy transition merely as decarbonisation to understanding it as a process of decarbonisation + development + employment + human rights + equity + participation.

Its central principle is that the benefits of clean energy should be broadly shared while the costs of moving away from fossil fuels should not fall disproportionately on workers, poor households, local communities or developing regions.

Internationally, the ILO Guidelines provide an important labour and social-justice foundation. (International Labour Organization) In India, constitutional environmental rights and emerging climate jurisprudence—particularly M.K. Ranjitsinh—provide important foundations, while electricity-regulatory decisions such as the 2026 Green Infra Wind Solutions judgment illustrate the need to balance environmental objectives with consumer, developer and energy-security considerations. (Indian Kanoon)

Thus, a legally robust JET framework should ensure that no worker, community or consumer is treated merely as a collateral cost of decarbonisation, while ensuring that environmental protection and climate objectives remain integral to long-term energy governance.