Institute for Human Rights and Business
2024
Alejandra Rivera, Giulio Ferrini, Marta Ribera Carbó, and others
The report titled Advancing Just Transitions in the Built Environment was published by the Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB) in 2024. It explores the critical intersection of human rights and environmental sustainability in urban development. As buildings and construction contribute significantly to global carbon emissions, the report highlights the urgent need for equitable climate actions, particularly in cities facing socio-economic disparities. The research covers diverse global contexts through case studies from eight cities, including Lagos and Copenhagen. These case studies reveal both the opportunities and challenges faced in implementing climate initiatives. While some green projects improve living conditions, risks such as evictions and gentrification threaten vulnerable communities, emphasizing the necessity for inclusive policy-making. The report offers 44 recommendations aimed at promoting just transitions, advocating for systemic changes that integrate social justice into climate policies. By empowering affected communities and ensuring their participation in decision-making, the report argues for a shift from purely economic metrics of progress to a model that prioritizes human well-being and ecological health. In conclusion, achieving a just transition in the built environment requires a collective effort to redefine values and narratives. The IHRB report serves as a vital resource for policymakers, businesses, and civil society organizations, aiming to harmonize environmental objectives with social equity, paving the way for sustainable urban development.
The report titled Advancing Just Transitions in the Built Environment was published by the Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB) in 2024. It is a comprehensive study on the intersection of human rights and environmental sustainability within the context of urban development and the built environment. The report emphasizes the critical need for equitable and inclusive climate actions, particularly in urban settings where socio-economic inequalities are most pronounced.
Context and Objectives
The report addresses two of the most pressing global challenges: climate change and social inequality. It highlights that buildings and construction account for 37% of global energy-related carbon emissions, making the sector a significant contributor to climate change. At the same time, cities, where these constructions are concentrated, are also centers of socio-economic disparities. The IHRB's two-year research project aims to explore how decarbonization policies in the built environment can respect human rights, focusing on housing rights, workers' rights, spatial justice, and participatory governance.
Key Findings
- Diverse Global Contexts: The research includes case studies from eight cities across different continents—Lagos, Prague, Lisbon, Melbourne, Copenhagen, Jakarta, Athens, and Valparaíso—each presenting unique challenges and opportunities related to climate action and social equity.
- Human Rights Risks: The study reveals that while there are positive examples of green initiatives improving living conditions and reducing emissions, there are also significant risks such as "renovictions" (evictions following renovations) and "green gentrification," which can displace vulnerable communities.
- Need for Inclusive Policies: The report stresses the importance of involving affected communities in decision-making processes to ensure that climate initiatives do not exacerbate existing inequalities. It argues for systemic changes that integrate social justice into environmental policies.
- Recommendations: The report provides 44 recommendations aimed at governments and investors to promote just transitions. These include context-specific investments in retrofitting existing buildings, expanding community participation in planning processes, and developing financial incentives that align with social and environmental goals.
- Steering Principles: Three guiding principles are proposed for advancing just transitions: commitment to circular and regenerative economic models, empowerment through education and independent tools, and embedding human rights in everyday practices.
Conclusions
The report concludes that achieving a just transition in the built environment requires a fundamental shift in how value is perceived—prioritizing social functions over economic gains—and a new narrative that integrates social justice with environmental sustainability. It calls for a collective effort to redefine progress beyond GDP metrics to include indicators that reflect human well-being and ecological health.
Overall, this report serves as a crucial resource for policymakers, businesses, and civil society organizations aiming to balance environmental goals with social equity in urban development.
Attribution: Primary author: Alejandra Rivera, IHRB Built Environment Global Programme Manager Important contributions from: Giulio Ferrini, IHRB Head of Built Environment Marta Ribera Carbó, IHRB Europe Programme Manager