Climate Justice and Transitions: Redressing Inequalities and Dismantling Structures of Oppression

A transformative approach to just transition calls for dismantling systems of oppressive power such as colonialism, cis-heteropatriarchy and racial capitalism. A radical transition aims to redress structural inequalities, de-emphasize large-scale institutions and market-based solutions, and strengthen civil society. Across the world, First Nations peoples, people with Lived Experience and local communities are demanding that climate justice is the foundation of transformative transition planning and implementation. Some features of climate justice in transitions include addressing intersecting inequalities, climate reparations, First Nations sovereignty, and community-led disaster prevention, preparation, response and recovery.

This paper examines community demands for climate justice and transition with a critical case study of a rural community transitioning from the extraction and burning of fossil fuels in Western Australia. It explores tensions and conflicts for minoritised communities in a government-led transition that is predominantly industry and worker-focused. The paper highlights a range of community-developed strategies for upholding the rights of First Nations land, peoples and community in transition policy and practice. Some examples include First Nations governance of transition decision-making; strengthening community relationships and collective care; privileging more-then-human participation; and, ensuring equitable redistribution of transition resources beyond industry to address the needs, health and wellbeing of all community members and place. The paper argues that First Nations and intersectional climate justice is imperative to equitable and inclusive transitions.