UNDP Independent Evaluation Office 200d ago

This Reflections paper launch, held on 3 December 2025, presented seven key lessons on green and just transition, showing both achievements and persistent gaps: 1. Underlying values: Transitions were more just and sustainable when actors had structured ways to surface, debate and respect their underlying values. 2. Repairing the past: Acknowledging past harm and creating space for recognition, trust-building and dialogue encouraged communities to embrace change and prevented transitions from reproducing old injustices. 3. Political economy: Where UNDP applied political economy analysis, it sharpened context-sensitivity, uncovered barriers to reform, informed more inclusive transition strategies and contributed to more sustainable outcomes. 4. Volatile contexts: In times of volatility, fairness required actively amplifying agency, voice, time and material opportunities—not just preserving stability. 5. Gendered care work: Interventions that explicitly integrated gendered care work and informality, such as by formalizing care work, reached stronger results. 6. Anticipating skills: Just transition required anticipating skills needs early and involving affected communities in defining them. 7. Addressing debt: Where UNDP effectively addressed debt terms, austerity conditions and external financing modalities, it helped prevent the cost of transition from being shifted to the most vulnerable populations and ecosystems.