From just transitions to just transformations; observations from Aotearoa New Zealand in addressing the human wellbeing impacts of climate change

This paper interrogates the utility of a just transition framework for climate change and human wellbeing in the context of Aotearoa New Zealand. Drawing on historical conceptualisations and applications of just transitions, their limitations and potential, we argue that an expansive and anti-reduct...

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Main Authors: Isabella Lenihan-Ikin, Proochista Ariana, Caesar Atuire
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: IOP Publishing 2025-01-01
Series:Environmental Research: Health
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1088/2752-5309/adad0b
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author Isabella Lenihan-Ikin
Proochista Ariana
Caesar Atuire
author_facet Isabella Lenihan-Ikin
Proochista Ariana
Caesar Atuire
author_sort Isabella Lenihan-Ikin
collection DOAJ
description This paper interrogates the utility of a just transition framework for climate change and human wellbeing in the context of Aotearoa New Zealand. Drawing on historical conceptualisations and applications of just transitions, their limitations and potential, we argue that an expansive and anti-reductionist conceptualisation of the just transition is best suited to address complex and inter-sectoral issues across time and space. Expansive just transitions are characterised by four features; relationality, systems-thinking, place-based and inter-generational approaches, where emancipation is held as the overarching objective. While we argue in favour of an expansive and anti-reductionist just transition framework being employed in the face of complex issues, such as the human wellbeing impacts of climate change, we introduce the concept of a just transformation : achieving true equity and justice in the face of climate change requires a transformative approach, situated outside of the confines of the hegemonic economic system and linear transitions. Transformations and not transitions are required for the health and wellbeing outcomes desired amidst threats of climate change.
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spelling doaj-art-5f5c942b3d8b42f2ac100ffe77b822e82025-02-07T13:12:03ZengIOP PublishingEnvironmental Research: Health2752-53092025-01-013202100210.1088/2752-5309/adad0bFrom just transitions to just transformations; observations from Aotearoa New Zealand in addressing the human wellbeing impacts of climate changeIsabella Lenihan-Ikin0https://orcid.org/0009-0004-5535-919XProochista Ariana1Caesar Atuire2Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford , Oxford, United KingdomNuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford , Oxford, United KingdomDepartment of Philosophy and Classics, University of Ghana and Ethics Lead, MSc IHTM, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford , Oxford, United KingdomThis paper interrogates the utility of a just transition framework for climate change and human wellbeing in the context of Aotearoa New Zealand. Drawing on historical conceptualisations and applications of just transitions, their limitations and potential, we argue that an expansive and anti-reductionist conceptualisation of the just transition is best suited to address complex and inter-sectoral issues across time and space. Expansive just transitions are characterised by four features; relationality, systems-thinking, place-based and inter-generational approaches, where emancipation is held as the overarching objective. While we argue in favour of an expansive and anti-reductionist just transition framework being employed in the face of complex issues, such as the human wellbeing impacts of climate change, we introduce the concept of a just transformation : achieving true equity and justice in the face of climate change requires a transformative approach, situated outside of the confines of the hegemonic economic system and linear transitions. Transformations and not transitions are required for the health and wellbeing outcomes desired amidst threats of climate change.https://doi.org/10.1088/2752-5309/adad0bjust transitionsjust transformationsclimate changewellbeingNew Zealand
spellingShingle Isabella Lenihan-Ikin
Proochista Ariana
Caesar Atuire
From just transitions to just transformations; observations from Aotearoa New Zealand in addressing the human wellbeing impacts of climate change
Environmental Research: Health
just transitions
just transformations
climate change
wellbeing
New Zealand
title From just transitions to just transformations; observations from Aotearoa New Zealand in addressing the human wellbeing impacts of climate change
title_full From just transitions to just transformations; observations from Aotearoa New Zealand in addressing the human wellbeing impacts of climate change
title_fullStr From just transitions to just transformations; observations from Aotearoa New Zealand in addressing the human wellbeing impacts of climate change
title_full_unstemmed From just transitions to just transformations; observations from Aotearoa New Zealand in addressing the human wellbeing impacts of climate change
title_short From just transitions to just transformations; observations from Aotearoa New Zealand in addressing the human wellbeing impacts of climate change
title_sort from just transitions to just transformations observations from aotearoa new zealand in addressing the human wellbeing impacts of climate change
topic just transitions
just transformations
climate change
wellbeing
New Zealand
url https://doi.org/10.1088/2752-5309/adad0b
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