NESCAN Goes Back to Uni!

To ease into the session, I framed it from a practice-based perspective, drawing on my experience as a project manager of the NESCAN-led Just Transition Communities Project, which involves community dialogue and social action research. The overall aim was to turn discussions with the students into actionable tasks, allowing them to explore and design responses and approaches to public participation. 

A Journey Back to University 

After a short, drizzly walk from Waverley Station, making my way across the cobbles and up the hill, I arrived at the Edinburgh Climate Change Institute. Once inside, I took a moment to pause, breathe, and prepare myself to step into a formal academic space. It had been a while since I’d been in a university learning environment—and wow, things have changed! 

Thankfully, this was no intimidating lecture theatre. Instead, the space was dynamic and welcoming, with students chatting and moving around, and screens placed throughout the room so that everyone could see presentations from any angle. The course lead and tech support mingled alongside students, making the whole setup feel collaborative and comfortable. Though, I must admit, the presence of a lectern reminded me that I had a role to play in guiding the discussion.

Seb, the lead lecturer, kindly grabbed me a coffee to help fuel the session, and with that, I got started with around 20 students, exploring the critical question:

“Whose Transition Is It Anyway? The Role of Communities in a Just Transition” 

The Vital Role of Communities in a Just Transition 

Communities are the backbone of society, fostering support networks, sharing resources, and preserving culture. Their role extends beyond everyday life to advocacy, economic resilience, and well-being. As Scotland moves toward a Just Transition—a fair and inclusive shift to a sustainable, low-carbon economy—communities must be at the heart of the transformation. 

Defining a Just Transition 

A Just Transition ensures that the shift to a greener economy is equitable for all workers, communities, and stakeholders. It prioritizes social and climate justice, ensuring no one is left behind. In essence: 

“Greening the economy and land/resource use in a way that is as fair and inclusive as possible to everyone concerned, creating decent opportunities for work, place, and life, and leaving no one behind.” 

But who are the key players in making this transition happen?

Key Stakeholders 

Traditionally, the conversation has been dominated by: 

• Government and policymakers
• Business and industry 
• The energy sector 
• Worker and environmental advocacy groups (e.g., STUC & Just Transition Partnership) 

However, one critical group has often been overlooked—communities and local places. That’s where initiatives like the Just Transition Communities Project (JTCP) seek to change this narrative by empowering communities as essential stakeholders. 

The Just Transition Communities Project (JTCP) 

The JTCP envisions a future where communities are active agents in shaping a fairer, greener Scotland. By building belief in community action and sharing expertise, the project strengthens community participation in regional Just Transition efforts. Our objectives are to: 

• Improve citizen participation in Scotland’s transition to Net Zero. 
• Ensure communities achieve fairer, greener outcomes. 
• Develop a collaborative, regional approach to Just Transition. 

Student Insights: Exploring Community-Driven Solutions 

After sharing key concepts, stories, and illustrations from the JTCP, we shifted into an interactive discussion. The class divided into four groups, each tackling a critical question related to Just Transition. Here’s a summary of what they came up with to the key questions posed—as you’ll see they’re a smart bunch! 

Engage:

• Provide community hubs for people to engage with sustainability. 
• Empower community groups and improve communication with the government.
• Fulfil community and individual needs and agendas to shift focus towards climate issues.  

Include:

• Provide skills and training for sustainable education and jobs.
• Create sustainable employment opportunities.  
• Offer financial incentives for sustainable development and renewable energy.  

Provide:

• Improve active transit connections.  
• Ensure access to high-quality and affordable food.
• Provide capacity and resources for communities to develop transport/connections and renewable energy solutions. 

ADVOCACY ORGANISATIONS:

• E.g., Marine Conversation Society and Friends of the Earth
  Value: Power, selective representation

COLLECTIVE ACTION:

• E.g., local groups, citizens' assemblies, protests.
  Value: Legitimacy and unity. 

ONLINE SPACES:

• E.g., Facebook, Reddit.
  Value: Access, engagement, diverse opinions. 

What Does a Powerful Local Network Look Like? 

A successful network must incorporate: 

MEANINGFUL ENGAGEMENT COMPRISING:  

• Planning.  
• Taking action.  
• Feedback and review.  
• Evaluation.  
• Radical inclusion.  

CONCEPTS:  

• Integrated diverse representation.
• Knowledge sharing, co-creation, uplifting local expertise.  
• Strategic voice – influencing, interconnected, and operating at multiple levels.  
• Based on respect, collaboration, and learning exchange.  

OPERATIONS:  

• Power Structures: What does power mean and who has it? Factors influencing power in a local context.
• Purpose: Shared vision, values, organizing power, collective action.  
• Scale: Operating at different levels, sustainable over time, intergenerational, thinking holistically while acting locally.  

ACHIEVING:  

• Self-assessment, goal setting, relationship mapping.  
• Intentionally designing shared decision-making structures.  
• Access to and fair allocation of resources.  
• Valuing lived experience.  

How Can Communities Effectively Campaign and Lobby? 

GATHER EVIDENCE:  

• Lived experience panels.  
• Social media.  

GAIN SUPPORT:

• Crowd sourcing
  

COALITION BUILDING:  

• Trade unions.  
• Women's associations.  
• Lawyers, and other key stakeholders.  

In Conclusion 

The session was an incredible opportunity to engage with bright, passionate students who are thinking critically about community roles in policymaking and climate action. Their enthusiasm and ideas reaffirmed the importance of empowering communities in Scotland’s Just Transition. 

Curious to learn more? Check out our project website: Just Transition Communities or send us an email: jtcp@nescan.org. 

I look forward to continuing the conversation and ensuring that communities remain at the heart of Scotland’s journey to a fairer, greener future!