United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP)’s policy paper, “Strengthening Energy Governance Systems: An Energy Governance Framework for a Just Energy Transition”, guides local and regional governments in strengthening energy governance for a just energy transition — one that replaces fossil fuels with low-carbon energy sources while leaving no one behind.
Download the policy paper here.
Four focus areas
This energy governance framework outlines four focus areas and critical approaches to achieve impact.
Credit: UNDP
Inclusive and effective institutions
This focus area emphasizes integrity, competence, collaboration, and transparency.
Local governments are key actors in balancing climate commitments with economic viability and social equity. Building public trust, ensuring transparency, and preventing corruption are essential — particularly to guarantee that the energy transition does not disproportionately favour specific groups. Reliable, disaggregated data is the foundation for evidence-based energy policy..
Key actions include
- Transition from sector-based to system-based approaches
- Develop anti-corruption frameworks for the renewable energy sector
- Ensure availability of quality, gender-disaggregated data
- Mobilise multi-stakeholder partnerships for collective action
Policy and regulatory framework
Local governments can focus on coherence, flexibility, robustness, and co-design for this focus area.
Local governments can design coherent, adaptive, and co-created policies that protect vulnerable populations and align energy strategies towards common goals. Anticipating unintended consequences and enabling meaningful stakeholder participation are central to effective regulation.
Key actions include
- Apply political economy analysis to inform effective policies
- Provide clear vision and leadership to build market confidence
- Formulate regulatory frameworks that reduce investment risk
- Promote inter-institutional coordination for policy coherence
Civic engagement and empowerment
Participatory, effective, facilitative, and non-discriminatory are keys to this focus area.
Local governments play a facilitative role in ensuring communities — particularly women, youth, and indigenous peoples — are active partners in the energy transition. Access to clear, reliable information and protection of civil society actors are essential safeguards.
Key actions include
- Integrate civic engagement in planning and budgeting
- Build trust through conflict-sensitive mechanisms
- Create platforms for meaningful public input into energy policy
- Protect human rights defenders and media personnel
Credit: UNDP
Appropriate oversight
It is effective to consider integrity, reliability, informed, and fact-driven policies for this focus area.
Independent oversight ensures the energy transition is just, efficient, and accountable. Local governments can support oversight institutions with adequate resources, clear mandates, and access to accurate information.
Key points include
- Empower independent bodies to oversee compliance with laws and regulations
- Establish multiple layers of accountability and checks and balances
- Support oversight agencies with training, resources, and accurate information
- Ensure open communication between oversight and enforcement stakeholders
Conclusions
Local and regional governments are not passive implementers of energy transition — they are its frontline actors. From designing inclusive institutions to enforcing oversight mechanisms, their decisions shape whether the shift to clean energy is just, equitable, and lasting.
The four focus areas outlined in this framework — inclusive institutions, coherent regulation, civic empowerment, and robust oversight — are mutually reinforcing. No single pillar is sufficient on its own. Effective energy governance requires that local governments act with integrity, build trust across stakeholders, and ensure that no community is left behind in the transition.
As the urgency of climate action intensifies, strengthening local energy governance is not optional — it is foundational to achieving the SDGs and delivering on the promise of a just energy transition for all.
