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Policy

Climate change

Directorate
Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic
Energy, Environment and climate change
Policy actions  10 of 10

Just transition

We are determined to achieving net zero in a way that distributes the costs and benefits fairly, and which tackles inequality and injustice. A just transition is both the outcome – a fairer, greener future for all - and the process that must be undertaken in partnership with those impacted by the transition to net zero.

We continue to build on our legally binding commitment to a Just Transition, as set out in the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009, with a focus on people and equity.

Our commitment to net zero will help boost our economic growth. A key priority of the Programme for Government 2025 to 2026 is tackling the climate emergency through transformational action which contributes to a just transition to net zero. This includes setting out a route map to reduce emissions, grow the green economy, create jobs, and provide opportunities for businesses, while supporting households and communities.

To facilitate a just transition to a green economy:

  • we were the first to introduce a Just Transition Commission providing independent scrutiny and advice on how to put justice at the heart of climate action in Scotland. Their advice and recommendations continue to guide our work and shape our vision of a fairer, greener future for all.
  • we support projects and communities across the North East and Moray through our Just Transition Fund, helping to create jobs, support innovation, and secure a highly skilled workforce for the future. We have allocated £75 million as at September 2025. We will invest a further £8.5m of capital funding through the Fund in 2025, with a focus on projects that support jobs, skills and economic opportunities.
  • we have supported the development of the industry-led Energy Skills Passport with £3.7 million of funding. The pilot version of the Passport was launched in January 2025 and is designed to help oil and gas workers identify transferable skills and training needs to support transitions into key offshore wind roles.
  • we have consulted on our draft Just Transition Plan for Transport, which aims to establish a shared understanding of the challenges and opportunities of the transport  transition, to ensure a transition to a net zero transport system that is fair and just for communities, workers and businesses.
  • we published our consultation on the draft Land Use and Agriculture Just Transition Plan in August 2025. The Plan sets out how we are working towards achieving Scotland’s net zero ambitions in a fair and just way for people and communities working in or with our land-based industries.
  • we announced the creation of a £25 million Just Transition Fund for Grangemouth in February 2025, bringing the total amount that we have committed to or invested in Grangemouth to £87 million. We published our Grangemouth Just Transition Plan in June 2025.
  • we are working to ensure that just transition principles are fully embedded in the new Climate Change Plan, including a measurement and evaluation framework which will, for the first time, provide specific indicators to measure Scotland’s progress on ensuring a just transition

We are committed to delivering a just transition, by working with communities, business, industry and the people of Scotland as we plan for our net zero future.

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