Who Owes Whom? Dialogues for a Just Transition

Last week, Rebrip’s Climate Working Group (GT Clima), with support from the BRICS Policy Center, held the first cycle of the training program “Who Owes Whom? Dialogues for a Just Transition.” The event brought together academics, social movements, and civil society organizations to collectively envision a truly just transition model, one that addresses structural inequalities, respects the knowledge and rights of historically marginalized peoples and communities, and promotes climate justice.

The first panel discussed the challenges of current climate financing mechanisms, often debated at the UN’s Conferences of the Parties (COPs), but which still fail to meet the needs of Global South countries. Carolina Alves (Inesc) and Maureen Santos (BPC/PUC-Rio) highlighted how principles of climate justice should guide climate finance itself, analyzing instruments and policies featured in negotiation agendas. The panel was moderated by Priscilla Papagiannis, coordinator of Rebrip’s Climate Working Group.

The second panel focused on the impacts of the climate crisis on the world of work, the deepening of inequalities, and violations of human rights. Maryellen Crisóstomo (Women’s Collective of CONAQ and ActionAid) and Antonio Lisboa (CSI, ILO, and CUT) emphasized the importance of a just transition with decent work and social protection at its core, stressing the need for inclusive, reparative, and anti-racist policies. The panel was moderated by Junior Aleixo, Policy and Programs Coordinator at ActionAid.

The event was part of the Rio Climate Week program and took place in Laranjeiras, at the BRICS Policy Center. It also featured a buffet with organic and regional products from the Small Farmers Movement. Rebrip’s Climate Working Group is composed of ActionAid Brazil, Inesc, and the Central Única dos Trabalhadores (CUT).