Marine Just Transition - UK and international comparator countries: literature review

Introduction

This report presents two related literature reviews which have been undertaken by Marine Directorate social researchers on the topic of a just transition for coastal communities and marine sectors. These are social research outputs intended to collate the existing evidence and understanding of issues relating to a just transition for marine sectors and coastal communities, to inform policymaking. This is not a policy document. This work has been informed by policy priorities and has been undertaken to support policy development. However, the information presented reflects what is found in the relevant evidence and literature and does not necessarily reflect Scottish Government policy positions.

The concept of a just transition for marine sectors and coastal communities is relatively new in both research and policy contexts. Whilst some of the literature on a marine just transition is several years old and has already been considered in the development of policy (e.g. in the development of marine spatial planning in Scotland), these literature reviews bring together research on a marine just transition for the first time. They focus on how marine sectors and coastal communities are affected as we move towards biodiversity and climate goals, and how impacts on the people affected can be, and in some cases have been, minimised. These reviews predominantly consider impacts on fishers alongside coastal communities more broadly, as this is where most research has so far been published. The coverage here therefore reflects the current evidence base, but we are aware that the just transition covers a much wider range of considerations that are not included here. Although the term just transition is commonly used in the Scottish policy context, due to its relatively new and novel nature it is not commonly used within UK or international academic literature. How this impacted the literature searches is discussed in the Limitations sections of both the UK-based and international review.

The first literature review presented is focussed on the topic of a marine just transition within the United Kingdom (UK), with a focus specifically on Scotland. This review investigates the impacts of a move towards climate and biodiversity targets on coastal communities and marine sectors in the UK, outlines what measures have been put in place so far to reduce any negative consequences of the aforementioned impacts across the UK, and explores what could be done in the future to support a just transition for coastal communities and marine sectors in Scotland.

The second literature review investigates existing policy practices on the topic of a marine just transition in an international context, specifically focusing on marine renewables and its impact on fisheries in countries comparable to Scotland. It investigates what “just transition oriented” policies (e.g. policies that help to ensure more just impacts on marine sectors and coastal communities) on marine renewables and fisheries have been implemented internationally in countries similar to Scotland^[1], the strengths and weaknesses of these policies in relation to a just transition, and how these learnings can be applied to Scotland.

The final section of this report brings together the two reviews, providing and comparing the findings of both literature reviews in one place. These literature reviews strengthen our understanding of the evidence base to help policy makers, stakeholders and those impacted by changes to support the delivery of a just transition for coastal communities and marine sectors in Scotland.