The Widening Scope of Just Transitions Research: A Review of an Emblematic Concept

ABSTRACT The attention paid to justice dimensions in societal change toward decarbonization and resilience is growing in sustainability governance and research. “Just transition” is emerging as an emblematic concept in these discussions, yet there has been limited systematic stock‐taking of the major strands of research in this area. This paper aims to analyse the evolution of the “just transition” concept in the context of sustainability in empirical and theoretical scholarly literature. The paper provides comprehensive mapping and analysis of key trends and themes in peer‐reviewed literature, which could contribute to conceptual clarity around just transitions. We explore the scope of changes, i.e., whether and how the studies engage with narrower sector‐wise changes or broader profound societal changes; what justice dimensions are highlighted and in what ways; and what geographies dominate the research field. The analysis builds on a review of 491 peer‐reviewed papers published between 1998 and 2023. The literature on just transitions has expanded rapidly since 2020, with growing conceptual breadth and sectoral relevance. While papers frequently emphasize distributive justice in decarbonization processes in industrial regions, later studies also integrate procedural, recognitional, ecological, and emerging justice dimensions like planetary and intergenerational justice. Transitions are increasingly understood as complex, interconnected cultural, social, technological, economic, and political changes. However, most empirical studies focus on high‐income countries, with growing—but limited—coverage of middle‐ and low‐income contexts. This geographic imbalance risks reinforcing power asymmetries. Broader case diversity is needed to make the concept of just transitions applicable across varied socio‐economic, cultural and environmental settings.