Challenges and perspectives of a just transition in Europe

By various - European Trade Union Institute - March 8, 2022

As part of four webinars organized across the world to provide insights from the field of environmental labour studies to discuss questions of just transition, this ETUI event will focus on the context and main challenges of a just transition to a zero-carbon economy in the EU. Taking a broad-based theoretical approach, presentations will frame the current EU context of a just transition with regard to the European Green Deal and the Fit for 55 package. Main questions raised by the authors will be:

To what extent can current EU policies and practices be considered as a step towards a more comprehensive policy framework to integrate climate/environmental and labour priorities?

How far are institutions and the welfare state ready to address the new challenges posed by the eco-social paradigm shift, possibly under a low growth or de-growth scenario?

What strategies do trade unions have and what main challenges do they face?

Moderator:

• Nora Räthzel (Umeå University, Sweden)

Speakers:

• Bela Galgoczi (ETUI): From “just transition” to an “eco-social state”?
• Markus Wissen (Berlin School of Economics and Law - HWR): Workers, Trade Unions, and the Imperial Mode of Living: Labour Environmentalism from the Perspective of Hegemony Theory
• Adrien Thomas (LISER, Luxembourg) and Valeria Pulignano (KU Leuven): Multilevel Engagement of Trade Unions with Climate Change Mitigation

Discussant:

• Samantha Smith, Director of the Just Transition Centre of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC)

Disclaimer: The views expressed here are not the official position of the IWW (or even the IWW’s EUC) and do not necessarily represent the views of anyone but the author.