A reappraisal of the role of just transition in Taiwan’s 2050 net-zero pathway

Since April 2022, Taiwan has introduced a series of policies and legal measures aimed at achieving its national goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. These measures include substantive strategies to advance emission reduction efforts and place increasing emphasis on the concept of a just transition —an aspect that distinguishes Taiwan’s approach from that of many other countries. To explore the evolution of just transition within Taiwan’s climate policy framework, this study first outlines its development across key policy documents, including the 2050 Net-Zero Pathway (March 2022), the Phased Goals and Actions Toward Net-Zero Transition (December 2022), and the Action Plan of Just Transition (April 2023). Drawing on conceptual frameworks from academic literature, the study then evaluates Taiwan’s just transition through the three interrelated dimensions of recognitional, procedural, and distributive justice. Preliminary findings indicate that Taiwan’s interpretation of just transition extends well beyond protecting workers directly affected by the net-zero shift, rendering its scope overly broad and challenging to operationalise in practice. Moreover, despite the policy emphasis on just transition, empirical evidence suggests that its principles have yet to be effectively integrated into actual decision-making processes.