Just Transition in Climate Policies: A Health Rights-Based Approach, İKLİM POLİTİKALARINDA ADİL GEÇİŞ: SAĞLIK HAKKI MERKEZLİ BİR YAKLAŞIM

Abstract

Climate change presents itself as a multifaceted crisis that affects not only environmental systems but also economic structures, social relations, and public health. The process of phasing out fossil fuel–based systems requires a transformation grounded not merely in technical solutions but in social justice. In this context, the concept of just transition offers a framework aimed at balancing the social impacts of climate policies. However, the increasing institutional adoption of the term raises the question of how fully its claim to justice is being realized. This study examines the historical development, conceptual diversity, and institutionalization of the just transition framework, and provides a critical assessment of how it has often been narrowed to focus on employment security and economic priorities. The divergence between labor movements and environmental justice approaches highlights the limitations of its practical implementation. The original contribution of this paper lies in opening a discussion on the relationship between just transition and the right to health. The occupational risks faced by workers in the fossil fuel sectors, the health impacts of environmental degradation, and the mental health challenges associated with transition processes all underscore the critical importance of incorporating health into just transition strategies. Accordingly, this study argues that just transition must be approached not only as an economic project but also as a human and public concern. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.