The just transition provides a framework for managing the shift to low-carbon, climate-resilient development in ways that protect livelihoods, uphold rights, and promote equity, particularly for those most exposed to climate and economic disruption.
This paper argues that CARICOM’s just transition must be explicitly trade-aware, multi-sectoral, and equity-driven. Drawing on global just transition literature, national strategies, and sectoral analysis, it identifies six guiding principles relevant to the Caribbean context: social justice and equity; effective governance and policy coherence; inclusive participation and stakeholder engagement; economic resilience and diversification; alignment with developmental, climate, and environmental goals; and investment and financing for the green transition.
These principles are applied across key tradable sectors—including energy, tourism, agriculture, fisheries and marine industries, forestry, transport, waste, and the orange economy—to identify sectors at risk from climate-related trade pressures and sectors with growth potential in sustainable goods, services, and digital industries. Based on this analysis, the paper advances seven priority policy actions to integrate just transition principles into CARICOM’s trade agenda.
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Peta-Gay Facey Wilson is Assistant Attorney-General in the International Affairs Division of the Attorney-General’s Chambers of Jamaica.
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Recommended citation: Facey Wilson, P.G. (2026). A just transition framework for CARICOM trade. Forum on Trade, Environment, & the SDGs (TESS) and Shridath Ramphal Centre for International trade Law, Policy and Services (SRC).
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