Recent scholarly and policy interest in just transitions has emerged in the decarbonisation drive. However, this has remained driven by speculation and theoretical and conceptual discourses. Granular, bottom-up, systematic research and engagement is needed to unpack the complexity surrounding the framing of justice and make it relevant to governments, private sector, and ordinary people. Without this, an (in)justice conundrum would evoke grievances and insecurities by people that believe that they are giving more than they are receiving in the transitions. Central to these efforts is the recognition of leadership in the Global South, particularly among communities directly affected by extractive industries and climate initiatives. Such leadership, though often overlooked, provides indispensable insights into the lived realities of justice, offering context-specific knowledge and solutions that can ensure equitable and sustainable outcomes.

The Just Transitions and Interdisciplinary Peace (JTIP) research group fills this space with two primary objectives. First, to build upon and develop knowledge systems on justice in the transitions from the perspective of those most affected by climate and sustainability action. Second, to unpack the interlinkages between (un)just transitions and peace in societies that are impacted by climate and climate and sustainability actions.

Group members bring ongoing and emerging expertise on the intersections of the transitions to net zero carbon emission, environmental sustainability, and ‘peace’ or ‘insecurity’ in societies that are directly impacted by climate and sustainability initiatives. Critical minerals communities, mining value chains, and countries whose economies are dependent on fossil in the Global South and must transition are research areas of special interest to the group. But in general, every society that is impacted by the evolving transition to net zero emissions and sustainability are of interest.