Research from Just Transition Commission and UofG calls for new focus on conditionalities
Published: 23 October 2025
A research report published by Scotland’s Just Transition Commission says government can use conditionalities on public money, licensing and procurement as key levers for delivering a just transition to a low carbon economy.
A research report published by Scotland’s Just Transition Commission says government can use conditionalities on public money, licensing and procurement as key levers for delivering a just transition to a low carbon economy.
The report, authored by Riyoko Shibe, comes ahead of a major national summit on Scotland’s progress towards a just transition in Edinburgh.
It includes a toolkit of options considered realistic and achievable using existing powers. Conditionalities would be designed to support workers by strengthening commitments to collective bargaining agreements and permanent contracts, as well as provisions to help workers plan for significant operational changes including closures.
Other measures focus on supporting the development of domestic supply chains for sustainable industries such as manufacturing for wind power, and encouraging high quality apprenticeships schemes.
The Scottish Government requested advice from the Just Transition Commission to support delivery of a key action announced in its just transition plan for Grangemouth in June this year. Alongside a host of other measures aimed at supporting workers, the local community and new sustainable businesses for the town, the plan sets out a “near-term action” to “develop a series of Just Transition conditionalities and consider how to apply them successfully to public funding for the Grangemouth Industrial Cluster, maximising the reach of public funding particularly for workers and the wider community.
The Scottish Government has committed £25 million in funding to support a just transition for Grangemouth, with the UK Government committing £200 million from the National Wealth Fund.
The Commission is an independent expert advisory group with members drawn from business, industry, trade unions, environmental and community groups and academia. It aims to make sure the benefits and burdens of the major changes involved in Scotland’s climate neutral transition are shared as fairly as possible, and is tasked by the Scottish Government with making an annual assessment of progress towards a just transition to a low carbon economy.
Riyoko Shibe, who is a postgraduate research student with the School of Social & Political Sciences, said: "Grangemouth is on the cusp of energy transition with the promise of substantial investment packages from the Scottish and UK governments into a green industrial future. Just transition conditionalities are a way for this investment to be deployed with impact and integrity and maximise its public return. The evidence presented in this report shows just transition conditionalities are an exciting opportunity for the Scottish government to join other countries taking bold and innovative action to deliver a just transition."
Professor Dave Reay, co-chair of the Commission, said: "Our new research will be really helpful to policymakers in making just transition a tangible reality for businesses, workers and communities. It greatly improves our understanding of how conditionalities can be deployed strategically in line with just transition objectives, including encouraging the growth of domestic supply chains for sustainable industries and greater security for workers."
Satwat Rehman, co-chair of the Commission, said: "Today’s research report will help inform the work underway to support people at Grangemouth and shape the renewal of the industrial site for the better. But it also has great potential to enhance the effectiveness of public policy for other critical areas for a just transition, including future ScotWind leasing rounds, economic development initiatives such as green freeports and investment zones, the future agricultural support model and public procurement for transport infrastructure."
Senior leaders from politics, industry, trade unions and environmental groups will convene at Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh on Wednesday October 29 to agree what needs to happen next to ensure changes to bring down emissions are achieved as fairly as possible. First Minister John Swinney, UK Energy Minister Michael Shanks and the new head of the UK Climate Change Committee, Nigel Topping, will give keynote speeches. All Members of the Scottish Parliament have also been invited to the Just Transition Summit, as have representatives of all 32 local authorities, every chamber of commerce and every Scottish college.
The aim of the Just Transition Summit is to build consensus on how a just transition to a low carbon economy can be achieved, as well as agree specific actions for different levels of government, employers, unions and environmental groups. A panel of senior representatives from parties at Holyrood will be quizzed by young people from Grangemouth and Shetland to understand what different parties propose to do to shape the economic future of young people in Scotland for the better.
First published: 23 October 2025