2023
Simone d'Antonio, Daniela Patti, Levente Polyak, and others
The report "Exploring the just transition: Europe" highlights the growing significance of just transition concepts across Europe, emphasizing the need for equitable shifts in various sectors. Key findings point to the relevance of initiatives such as the European Green Deal and Just Transition Mechanism, focusing on coal regions, industrial transformations, and the reskilling of workers for green jobs. Several countries, including Germany and Scotland, have adopted national strategies to navigate these transitions, while cities are identified as pivotal players in engaging local stakeholders and addressing direct impacts. Recommended actions for cities include collaborating with national governments, fostering multi-stakeholder dialogues, and improving coordination for inclusive policy design. The report underscores that successful local implementation of just transition strategies is essential for restoring trust between governments and communities, thereby reducing social and territorial inequalities and ensuring sustainable economic development in Europe.
This report, titled "Exploring the just transition: Europe," was authored by Simone d'Antonio, Daniela Patti, and Levente Polyak from EUTROPIAN, along with Jazmin Burgess and Krisztina Campbell from C40 Cities. It provides an overview of just transition concepts, themes, opportunities and challenges in Europe.
Key findings include:
- Just transition is increasingly relevant in Europe, addressed by various institutions, policies and initiatives like the European Green Deal and Just Transition Mechanism.
- Key themes include:
- Coal regions and cities transitioning away from fossil fuels
- Industrial sector transformation
- Reskilling/upskilling workers for green jobs
- Regional transformation and reducing territorial inequality
- Ensuring fair working conditions and equitable opportunities
- Promoting community leadership and ownership
- Several European countries have developed national strategies on just transition, including Germany, Scotland, France and Ukraine.
- Cities play a crucial role in shaping just transition processes, as they experience the direct impacts and can engage local stakeholders.
- Recommended actions for cities include:
- Engaging with national governments on just transition planning
- Facilitating multi-stakeholder dialogue at the city level
- Improving interdepartmental coordination
- Collaboratively designing reskilling/upskilling policies
- Advocating for inclusive allocation of support at the EU level
- Getting involved in European networks and partnerships
- Just transition strategies can help restore trust between local governments and communities while reducing social and territorial inequalities in Europe.
The report emphasizes that effective implementation of just transition at the local level, aligned with regional and national strategies, is crucial for the future of work and long-term economic development in many European regions and cities.