The Narrative of the Just Energy Transition project was catalyzed by Europe’s Energy Earthshot - a whole-of-system design process to advance the continent’s energy transformation bringing together 200 stakeholders online, across 50 countries, over 3 days in October 2022. Europe’s Energy Earthshot was catalyzed by The B Team, in collaboration with Massive Change Network (MCN).
Marian Arribas, Mark Haviland, Joep C de Jong and George Dionne who participated in the event were drawn to act on three key discoveries:
As they advanced in the design of a prototype they were joined by Mari Szymanski, Mariana López, Valeria Flores, Andrea Villalon, and Megan Buchter resulting in an initial prototype presented at COP 28 under the following:
We are looking to change the conversation - moving above the noise of doom and gloom, climate anxiety and detachment to a quieter space of possibility and engagement - passing the mic to unheard voices at the frontline of the energy transition through a young adult & youth-led audiovisual platform where every person engaged discovers they belong and embraces their unique role.
A living platform deeply rooted in Five Key Elements that enlighten and nourish every aspect of its evolving system embracing innovations in Europe and around the world achieving just energy transitions.
The Key Elements:
Leadership of youth and young adults with an appreciative, intergenerational, collaborative presence of heart and mind. “You are never too young to lead, and we are never too old to learn.” -Koffi Anan, former Secretary General of The United Nations
Intergenerational: We are profoundly interconnected with those before us and those to whom we will inherit the impact of our actions. We want to keep open those windows into the past and the future to enable us to see our reality in the present and to act in consequence. We are implicated, we all belong. We are doing this together.
Appreciative Conversations evoke life giving stories and the best in each of us. A safe space for sharing where listening with care is the norm, where everyone is welcome and able to experience a sense of belonging.
Stories: Green energy stories, small and large in businesses, governments, non-profits, and movements are living examples of just energy transitions providing a taste of the future - stories with the power to defibrillate our collective hearts, sparking our sense of interconnection, empathy and compassion.
Action and Reflection: Action without reflection can become self-righteous and self defeating. Reflection without action can be aloof, sterile and disconnected. The life - giving dance of reflection and action.
The Science is clear: We must phase out fossil fuels to secure a livable world. But how can we inspire transformational change to our energy systems, at the speed and scale required to meet the climate challenge? Could a more hope-based story of the energy transition advance progress towards the solution? Is it possible to evoke enthusiasm, connection and a sense of belonging to something bigger than ourselves?
We believe that by showcasing impactful just energy projects, across generations and between various sectors, the platform will demonstrate how everyone can take local action to make massive positive change.
Intergenerational teams from around the world submit an audio or video of their interview/conversation with those that are impacting the Just Energy Transition which is reviewed by an Editorial Team through the lens of The Five Key Elements. Audios will be part of curated episodes of The Just Energy Transition Podcast housed on Spotify. Videos will be housed on the Just Energy YouTube channel for reference.
Become a storyteller and change the narrative!
See our COP 28 presentation video here:
Europe's Energy Earthshot: The Narrative of The Just Energy Transition | LinkedIn
Continue reading for tips and resources to get you started.
Search and select a green energy story, small or large -a business, government, non-profit or movement that is a living example of The Just Energy Transition. Select an initiative that interests and inspires you - a story that must be told. Take note of what positively motivates you to know more about the initiative and the story behind it.
Take note of initial appreciative questions that you would like to explore with the creators and/or persons involved in the initiative and reach out to one or more of them for an interview.
Record the interview/conversation (in person on your smartphone or a virtual conversation on a digital platform).
Edit and send the recording to the Editorial Team at [email protected] for review and publishing.
Once published, share and celebrate on social media.
The perfect is enemy of the good - Voltaire
We are creating life-giving stories that listeners can engage with and discover that they belong, that they are implicated and say, “I can do that!”
The following is a list of questions to get started. Feel free to use and expand on them and create your own appreciative questions to evoke a life-giving story of the initiative and the personal stories of those involved:
Could we begin with an overview of your organization/initiative? What does it do?
How was the (your organization or innovation) born? Where did the idea come from? What inspired your involvement in its creation?
What is your story in green energy, what got you involved?
In a larger sense, what is (your organization’s or innovation’s) purpose?
Please share with us a peak moment for you in the life of (name of organization or innovation)? I’m sure you have plenty but please choose the best one or two to share with us.
Stories from the field: Please share some of your favorite stories of (name of organization’s or innovation’s) impact in the community.
What most inspires or energizes you today around the just energy transition?
Imagine you have been invited to share your story with a cross section of clean energy transition producers, stakeholders, young adults and youth members of climate action groups at COP 29 in Baku, Azerbaijan in November of this year. You accept the invitation with excitement. ¿What is the essence of your message? ¿What is your call to action for them?
Appreciative Inquiry is an approach that focuses on what’s working well, analyzing why it is working well and how to do more of it. Lifting up positive examples and sharing stories about “what’s working” is the best way to motivate, inspire, and educate tomorrow’s innovators, while celebrating the leaders and innovators of today.
For assistance you can watch this video about How to Conduct an Appreciative Inquiry Interview.
Climate action needs to come from a place of love, respect, and solidarity.
-Archana Soreng, Member of the United Nations Secretary General's Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change
For an online recording
A direct cable connection to internet works best
It is highly recommended to use earpods, simple "earbuds”' or headphones that you use with your cell phone are also perfectly fine. If you don't have headphones, no worries! It's simply best practice.
For recording on Zoom please go to settings and choose, “Record a separate audio file of each participant”. This is for the purpose of editing. Oh, and remember to press “Record” when you are ready to begin the interview.
Include your image as well as the person(s) being interviewed on screen.
In order for your story to be published in an upcoming episode of The Just Energy Transition Podcast the initiative must have a positive impact in the just transition to clean energy. Please contact and work with a business, non-profit, government agency or movement that inspires you.
Provide two photos: a business or organization logo and a photo that helps describe the initiative.
Provide information about your interviewee, a brief description of the organization, web page, and the interview date.
Suggest an original story title that does not necessarily include the name of the organization.
Send us your audio files - separate audio files of each participant.
Videos (optional) can be submitted using YouTube or Vimeo.
Send the above to: [email protected]
Dear_____:
Let me introduce myself, (your name), (a brief introduction of what you do, for example if you are a student at ____ or your work or member of an organization or group____).
Briefly describe what brought you to this particular story - recommendation, a search, etc.
I/we are reaching out to you today to request an interview with you (or the creator or member of the team) _____, for an episode of the The Just Energy Transition Podcast - a collaboration of AIM2Flourish and Europe’s Energy Earthshot prototype group: The Narrative of The Just Energy Transition.
The Narrative of The Just Energy Transition is a bold initiative developed through Europe's Energy Earthshot (EEE) as catalyzed by The B Team, in collaboration with Massive Change Network.
Our mission is to change the conversation - moving above the noise of doom and gloom to a quieter space of opportunity and possibility - passing the mic to unheard voices at the frontline of the energy transition so every person discovers they belong and embraces their unique role.
A youth-led podcast that gives agency and optimism. Appreciative, intergenerational conversations showcasing innovations achieving a Just Energy Transition. You can see our presentation at COP28 UAE here
We are excited about the possibility of highlighting the story of (Business/Organization/Initiative name) in one of our episodes. You can find season one episodes on Spotify.
Please let us know if you or someone engaged in the initiative would be interested in accepting our invitation to participate in an interview with us. We will set up a ZOOM call according to your time availability.
Appreciatively,
Your Name
Reach out if you have any questions or for support at [email protected]