Màiri McAllan MSP

11 September 2023

Dear Ms McAllan,

Chair of Just Transition Commission

With great regret, I am writing to tender my resignation as Chair of the Just Transition, effective from 27 September 2023, the date of the Commission’s next meeting. As you may know, I have recently been elected as Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and it will not be possible to combine the two roles.

It has been a great honour to serve as Chair over the two phases of the Commission’s work. Much remains to be done, but I feel that we have made good progress in establishing clear principles for action, and have made a start on the sectoral Just Transition Plans that are needed to make just transition a reality. Scotland remains an exemplar on the international stage, and we must strive to justify that position.

I would like to pay tribute to those I have worked with over the last five years: fellow Commissioners for their collegiality and their combination of robust advocacy with a genuine desire to reach consensus; members of the Secretariat who supported our activities and smoothed our travels across Scotland; stakeholders and member of the public with whom we engaged and who reminded us of the practical realities of transition; and of course yourself and other Ministers who clearly listened and who supported an independent voice on some very challenging issues.

I step down with a sense of regret. The constant reminder of the realities of ambitious climate action grounded my international work with IPCC and put it in context. I will miss the role and extend my very best wishes to whoever picks up the baton.

Your sincerely,

Professor Jim Skea,

Chair, Just Transition Commission