Citizen and stakeholder deliberation for a 'just transition' in West Cumbria

This project will provide evidence to inform research and policy in a crucial area: the
development of local strategies for a 'just transition'. The UK is legally required to reach
net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The implications of this shift are far-reaching,
with changes to the type and location of jobs and industries. In recognition of this, there is
widespread support for the concept of a 'just transition': a managed shift away from
employment in high-carbon industries and sectors, combined with the purposive
development of new forms of employment in low- or zero-carbon sectors (Newell and
Mulvaney, 2013). The 'just transition' concept has been used by the OECD and the United
Nations. However, although it is well-defined at a conceptual level, there are many
uncertainties about how it manifests in specific local geographies. The project addresses
this gap in both academic and policy knowledge, by investigating a specific local area:
West Cumbria. In doing so, it contributes to scholarly debates and to the development of
UK climate policy, by providing vital evidence about the potential contribution of local
areas to national climate goals.