Just Transition

The Just Transition to a Low-Carbon Economy

Professor Heffron is one of the world’s leading academics and researchers on the just transition. 

Professor Heffron has been working on the Just Transition since 2016. His research in the area was first awarded a flagship research grant by the United Kingdom Energy Research Centre (via the then EPSRC); and during this grant he was made a Research Associate of the same centre. The research and a research network was established and culminated in an international conferences held in Edinburgh (UK) in 2018 and in Port-of-Spain (Trinidad & Tobago) in 2019.

Concurrently, in recognition of his work in both research and teaching he was awarded a European Commission Jean Monnet Chair (Professorship) in the Just Transition in 2019 (one of the highest honours for non-Scientists in the EU). The courses that he developed on the Just Transition were the first in the world in 2019 and continue to be the most popular and inspire others around the world to offer the same. Professor Heffron has presented on the just transition across the world from the UN HQ, to parliamentary settings (Canada and Australia) to international events (in Senegal, Indonesia, Colombia and with the Commonwealth Secretariat being some highlights).

My just transition work is some of the most citedin the world and has been cited in Government policy documents. More recently from 2020, I have worked with companies and policymakers on the issue and including been selected to currently serve on the UNECE Just Transition working group. Further, I have written one of the first books on the just transition (2021) which is detailed below.

Should you wish to hear more and want to engage just
get in touch: raphael.heffron@gmail.com

Recent Key Publications

  1. Heffron, R. J. 2021. Achieving a Just Transition to a Low-Carbon Economy. Springer: Heidelberg, Germany. (Book – 8200+ copies sold to-date)
  2. Heffron, R. J. 2023. Repurposing for the just transition: energy companies need to future-proof their structure and strategy. Journal of World Energy Law and Business, 16 (3), 302-307.
  3. Droubi, S., Galamba, A., Fernandes, F. K., de Mendonca, A. A. and Heffron, R. J. 2023. Transforming education for the just transition. Energy Research & Social Science, 100, 103090.
  4. McCauley, D., Pettigrew, K. A., Heffron, R. J. and Droubi, S. Identifying, improving, and investing in national commitments to just transition: Reflections from Latin America and the Caribbean. Environmental and Sustainability Indicators, 100225.
  5. Heffron, R. J. & McCauley, D. 2022. The ‘just transition’ threat to our Energy and Climate 2030 targets. Energy Policy 165, 112949
  6. Heffron, R. J. 2021. ‘Inclusive Energy Transition’, Commonwealth Sustainable Energy Transition Series 2021/01, Commonwealth Secretariat, London.
  7. Heffron, R Connor, P Crossley, V López-Ibor Mayor, K Talus & J Tomain. 2021. The identification and impact of justice risks to commercial risks in the energy sector: post COVID-19 and for the energy transition. Journal of Energy & Natural Resources Law, 39 (4), 439-468.

Early Publications

  1. Heffron, R. J. 2018. The Just Transition to a Low-Carbon Economy. Renewable Energy Law and Policy Review, 8 (4), 39-41.
  2. Heffron R. J. and McCauley, D. 2018. What is the ‘Just Transition’? Geoforum, 88, 74-77.
  3. McCauley, D. and Heffron, R. J. 2018. Just transition: Integrating climate, energy and environmental justice. Energy Policy, 119, 1-7.