Just transitions in manufacturing: integrating human rights and environmental sustainability

The issue 

Environmental priorities and workers’ rights can no-longer be considered separately. Initiatives pursuing environmental aims, particularly those linked to green industries or emerging green supply chains, must work to uphold and support workers’ rights and decent work from the outset. 

Just transitions is a framing that brings environmental priorities and workers’ rights together. Momentum on just transitions is building rapidly: a key achievement of COP30 last year was the agreement to establish a just transition mechanism to accelerate action and ensure consistent implementation.

The webinar

If you are a business, NGO or donor looking to better understand how to integrate human rights into environmental work or programmes, this webinar will offer practical examples and insights to support this in practice.

Drawing on lessons from the Sustainable Manufacturing and Environmental Pollution (SMEP) Programme, a programme that supports research and pilot projects to address the environmental and human health impacts of manufacturing in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, we will explore what it takes in practice to integrate decent work and occupational health and safety into environmental initiatives and emerging green supply chains. The session will highlight practical entry points, common challenges, and what works when translating just transition principles into action through real-world examples.

The SMEP Programme is funded by UK International Development and implemented in partnership with UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), who provide technical assistance.