Well-designed just transition policies can bring jobs and social inclusion and foster an enabling environment for sustainable enterprises that provide decent work.

Poorly designed policies, at the other hand, can increase unemployment, exacerbate inequalities and lead to unattained social disruption. Urgent action to bring all partners together in advancing a just transition is essential to achieve social justice and decent work.

Enterprises are at the forefront of the transition towards environmentally sustainable production and consumption. Whether they are multinational corporations or local SMEs, enterprises can positively contribute to economic, social and environmental progress, as well as to the realization of decent work for all through creating more and better employment opportunities, providing good working conditions, contributing to skills development, and in other ways. At the same time, they are expected to address the challenges that arise from their operations, especially in the context of a shift towards a low-carbon economy.

The ILO plays a leading role in facilitating a just transition to low-carbon economies and societies and in promoting responsible business conduct (RBC) for the realization of decent work. Its work in these areas is guided by two key instruments:

• The ILO Guidelines for a just transition towards environmentally sustainable economies and societies for all: This central reference guides governments, workers and employers worldwide in promoting environmentally sustainable economies in a way that is fair and inclusive to everyone concerned – workers, enterprises and communities – by creating decent work opportunities and leaving no one behind.
• The Tripartite declaration of principles concerning multinational enterprises and social policy (MNE Declaration): The MNE Declaration is the only ILO instrument that provides direct guidance to enterprises on social policy and inclusive, responsible and sustainable workplace practices. Its principles are addressed to multinational and national enterprises, governments of home and host countries, and employers’ and workers’ organizations providing guidance in such areas as employment, training, conditions of work and life, industrial relations as well as general policies. This guidance is founded substantially on principles contained in international labour standards.

This course is particularly tailored to:

• Representatives of government ministries and agencies (Labour, Employment, Environment, Planning, Finance, TVET, Economy) as well as from subnational tiers of government;
• Representatives from employers’ and workers’ associations with a particular interest and/or involved in activities in the spheres of just transition and responsible business conduct;
• Public and private sector enterprises;
• UN staff, including but not limited to ILO;
• National and international development agencies; 
• Professionals from universities and civil society organizations.

The objectives of this course are to strengthen the capacities of participants to:

• Promote the just transition and responsible business conduct, by developing a deep understanding of the relevant concepts, instruments and principles;
• Maximise the contribution of enterprises to a just transition by applying the principles and guidance provided by the ILO MNE Declaration and the ILO Guidelines for a Just Transition;
• Support enterprises in managing the social and environmental dimensions of responsible business conduct and effectively linking these dimensions through social dialogue;
• Foster inclusive and sustainable trade and investment frameworks, value chains and supply chains that advance a just transition and decent work for all.

The course will run over a period of 2 weeks. Throughout the entire course participants will have access to ITCILO’s e-campus and interactive learning activities and case studies, background reading material and key information on the course.

In various interactive, live online sessions, delivered by ITCILO trainers, participants will have the opportunity to learn and exchange with experts and professionals from international organizations, research institutions as well as governmental and nongovernmental organizations on the various course topics. Recordings of the session will be available on the e-campus.

During the sessions, participants will also have the possibility to further enhance their skills in interactive group learning exercises.

This training programme is offered free of charge. Interested participants are encouraged to complete the registration form provided below. Selection will be based on the applicant's profile, and those accepted will receive a notification within a few days after registration.

This training programme is offered in English. Interpretation in French, Spanish, and Portuguese will provided during the webinar sessions.