This policy brief emphasises the important role of social dialogue to ensure a just transition. It outlines how continuous social dialogue between workers, employers and governments representatives, as well as the respect for fundamental principles and rights at labour, including freedom of association and collective bargaining are fundamental for a just transition. It also reiterates that a just transition must protect workers' safety and health in today's working environments and anticipate and prevent new risks related to recent work processes in a decarbonised labour market.

It stresses the need to protect the health of workers and the planet, strongly affected by climate change, while maintaining a resilient global economy, employment, and decent work. Consequently, OSH also benefits employers, contributing to safe, healthy, and productive workplaces.

Climate change is expected to lead to reduced productivity and job and economic losses due to heat stress, UV radiation, the spread of infectious diseases, decreased air quality, extreme weather events, and psychosocial risks. Therefore, the ILO points out that employment policies and climate change adaptation measures must be developed, taking into account the fundamental principles of OSH as an integral part of a just transition. The policy brief calls for all social partners to aim for a just transition, which considers both the social dimension of climate action and the economic opportunities that arise from the effective management of this process.

The policy brief is part of a series of documents on implementing the ILO Guidelines for a Just Transition to environmentally sustainable economies and societies for all, adopted by the social partners in 2015. This policy brief is intended to present the linkages between just transition and OSH, providing stakeholders with information and recommendations for implementation. The brief includes some interesting examples of how some countries, such as Australia, Qatar, and Uruguay, are taking action to address OSH in the face of climate change.