This discussion paper is the first output of a research initiative by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) which seeks to unpack the political economy of fair, green transitions. The paper is a snapshot of the research at mid-point – after a conceptual framework on ‘governance needs and implications of a just energy transition’ has been developed and tested, and before a set of country case studies will be conducted with the help of the framework. The research team considers COP28 a critical opportunity to present first insights from this cross-disciplinary effort and to gather further feedback on the proposed framework and envisaged research process. Putting our experiences out there early on seems particularly important as guidance on the governance of fair green transitions, including just energy transition, is still scarce and the forthcoming case studies seek to facilitate wider reflection and learning - within but also between countries. The reader is invited to engage in the discussion, for example through the questions raised at the end of this paper.