2nd South Asia Just Transition Alliance Summit 2025: Proceedings and Outcomes

The South Asia Just Transition Alliance (SAJTA) is a flexible civil society platform formed through the South Asia Energy Colloquium (SAEC) held in April 2023. This inaugural gathering united members from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, sharing a common purpose to promote a just and equitable energy transition across the region. SAJTA is led collaboratively by Coastal Livelihood and Environmental Action Network (CLEAN), Bangladesh; Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ), Sri Lanka; and Growthwatch, India.

SAJTA’s vision is to ensure green and sustainable infrastructures that prioritise the well-being of both the people and the environment of South Asia. Its mission is to serve as an alliance advocating for sustainable infrastructure, nature protection, and the cultivation of a knowledge-based society. To fulfil this mission, SAJTA actively conducts research and studies, fosters regional networks, and organises campaigns addressing the large-scale infrastructure projects developed and financed by public and private entities, including transnational banks, bilateral agencies, and Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs). Recognising the transboundary nature and long-term impacts of many energy projects, SAJTA has taken a lead role in studying cross-border energy initiatives that affect local communities and the environment.

Considering the vision and aspirations, a set of principles is required as the non-negotiable guardrail of just transition. However, like the definition, different stakeholders set different transition principles based on the focus areas.

Building on these foundations, the 2nd South Asia Just Transition Alliance Summit was convened from 22-24 January 2025, at Hotel Crystal Pashupati in Kathmandu, Nepal. The summit brought together civil society organisations, grassroots leaders, policy advocates, environmental activists, researchers, and community representatives from across South Asia, providing a vital regional platform for sharing experiences, developing joint strategies, and strengthening solidarity for a just, equitable, and sustainable energy transition.

At a critical time when South Asia confronts escalating climate impacts, economic instability, and deepening inequalities, the summit underscored the urgency of phasing out fossil fuels, resisting false solutions, and centering community-led approaches. Discussions spanned a broad range of themes, including energy equity, climate justice, financing for renewable energy, policy reform, and cross-border cooperation. Through these dialogues, SAJTA reaffirmed its commitment to fostering green and sustainable infrastructure that benefits people and protects the environment across the region.