Policy classification, selection and validation
Policies featured in the Gateway interconnect labour markets, environmental sustainability, and broader social and economic development
From policy to practice
Behind every policy are people, processes and stories worth telling.
How were these commitments achieved? Who was involved in shaping them? What negotiations informed their final form? And how are they being translated into action, and for whose benefit? These are some of the questions that inspired the development of this curated policy database.
This methodology page explains the scope and structure of the Just Transition Policy Gateway, outlines the data collection approach, and clarifies the terminology used throughout the platform. Through a structured set of metadata, the Gateway highlights the links between labour and environmental policies. At the same time, a narrative layer brings the policies to life, offering insight into the processes behind them and their relevance for advancing just transition in practice.
The platform is designed not only as a policy repository, but also as a resource for understanding how just transition commitments emerge, evolve, and are implemented across different contexts.
Important caveat
The Gateway is a work in progress, guided by a principle of quality over quantity. It is not yet an exhaustive just transition policy database. The platform will continue to expand as additional policy documents and documented processes are collected, reviewed and verified. Its development largely relies on feedback from users to ensure its relevance, credibility, and practical value.
Understanding just transition
The International Labour Organization (ILO) defines just transition as the promotion of environmentally sustainable economies in a way that is inclusive, by creating decent work opportunities, reducing inequalities, and leaving no one behind
More specifically:
"Just transition involves maximizing the social and economic opportunities of climate and environmental action, including through an enabling environment for sustainable enterprises, while minimizing and carefully managing challenges. It should be based on effective social dialogue, respect for fundamental principles and rights at work, and be in accordance with international labour standards. Stakeholder engagement is also important."
A just transition must be both gender-responsive and inclusive, and is relevant for all countries, regardless of their level of development.
It concerns all sectors of the economy, as well as both urban and rural areas. It is also relevant to people both within and outside the labour force, including Indigenous Peoples, women, youth, children, and affected communities.
There is no "one-size-fits-all" approach to just transition. Pathways differ across countries and contexts, shaped by national circumstances, development priorities, institutional capacities, and social dialogue processes.
For more information on the ILO's mandate and approach to just transition, please consult:
What we're looking for
In the Gateway, just transition policies refer to a broad range of documents including:
- Dedicated just transition frameworks
- Climate and environmental policies with a clear just transition objective/section
- Labour policies with a clear just transition objective/section
- Action plans and position papers from social partner organisations with explicit and prominent links to just transition
- Collective bargaining agreements*
- Country-level examples demonstrating how just transition principles are translated into integrated policy approaches.
*Collective bargaining agreement. Freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining are prerequisites for any form of social dialogue. They are fundamental rights and key means through which employers, their organizations, and trade unions can establish fair wages and working conditions. For more details please visit: Collective bargaining and labour relations (ILO), Conventions Nos 87 and 98
Contribute a policyPolicy classification, selection, and validation methodology
The Just Transition Policy Gateway applies a structured methodology to curate policies and related documents
This methodology helps ensure consistency, transparency and quality across the platform, while supporting meaningful peer learning across countries and contexts. For a detailed explanation of the metadata framework, selection criteria, validation process and publication requirements, download the full methodological note.
Download the Methodology PDFImportant note: the Gateway provides a space for sharing and learning from policy experiences. While we verify the accuracy of the information presented, featuring a policy does not constitute recognition, certification, or endorsement of its outcomes or impacts.