Strong Policies Can Accelerate Business Action on the Just Transition
We Mean Business, BSR
A just and equitable transition to a net-zero economy is essential for the resilience of communities and businesses alike. Clear, predictable, and long-term policies lower investment risk, provide certainty, and reward companies leading positive change.
When such policies are in place, business investment accelerates progress and demonstrates to policymakers that higher ambition is achievable. Across sectors, businesses are taking action, but they need governments to create the enabling conditions for success.
Developed by the We Mean Business Coalition and BSR, in collaboration with leading companies in agriculture, automotive, consumer goods, construction, energy, and mining, this set of just transition policy asks reflects the shared priorities of leading multinational businesses across sectors.
It outlines how governments can provide the clarity, incentives, and frameworks needed to advance fair and inclusive climate action. By championing these policy asks, business can help shape the enabling environment required to secure long-term success and shared prosperity.
Five Policy Asks:
1. Governance and Frameworks:
Clear vision and expectations from governments can enable businesses and investors to align strategies, financing, and operations with long-term public sector priorities.
Businesses benefit when governments embed just transition frameworks into national climate strategies, aligned across ministries and economic, labor, and social policies – with clear roles, timelines, sector-specific roadmaps, and inclusive stakeholder participation.
2. Skills and Workforce Transition:
Government investment in workforce development ensures a skilled, future-ready talent pool that helps minimize labor shortages and business disruption.
Businesses benefit when governments collaborate with labor groups and training institutions to develop national workforce strategies that create clear skilling pathways, promote clean and decent jobs, and uphold core labor protections during the transition.
3. Stakeholder Engagement and Protection:
For businesses, effective stakeholder engagement and protection of vulnerable groups are critical to ensuring social and economic stability during the just transition.
Businesses benefit when governments create inclusive dialogue platforms that bring together investors, workers, civil society, and communities to co-develop policies. At the same time, strong protections are needed for informal workers, women, Indigenous Peoples, and other marginalized groups to ensure the transition is fair, inclusive, and resilient.
4. Financing the Just Transition:
Government-backed financing is critical to unlock private investment in the just transition by derisking investment and providing financial safety nets.
Businesses benefit when governments commit to long-term, inclusive financing for a just transition by expanding access to funding, de-risking private investment, lowering the cost of capital, and providing targeted support to vulnerable communities, workers, and regions.
5. Monitoring and Metrics:
Consistent and transparent metrics help businesses demonstrate accountability, track progress, and build investor and public confidence.
Businesses benefit when governments align with global just transition disclosure frameworks and standards such as ISSB and GRI, harmonize reporting standards and establish national monitoring systems to track progress and ensure accountability.
- Download the full policy asks (PDF)
- Explore tools and guidance for advancing a fair and inclusive net-zero transition with the Just Transition Resource Platform