Anticipation of structural and sectoral change and reshaping industrial cultures – up to new borders of recovery and resilience in the different parts of Europe (own-initiative opinion – Gr II)

By drawing on CCMI's analytical capacity on industrial change and its shaping in the industrial paradigm, the opinion will focus on the analysis of industrial transformation in a way to make it a Just Transition which is meant as beneficial for all European citizens.

The impact of transition and crisis on industrial sectors is not homogenous. Some sectors have been harder hit than others and, and while COVID-19 has had a dramatic impact on some (aerospace, automotive, aviation, transport, tourism, arts and entertainment, etc.), for others it has offered new opportunities and visibility (e.g. pharmaceuticals). In many, it is accelerating existing structural changes to meet the challenges of digitalisation, automation, decarbonisation etc. This transition is not the same in all of the regions of Europe. Moreover, the transition has an important impact on the carbon-dependent and less developed regions. All this is leading to a growing number of "left-behind" and "de-industrialised" regions in the EU. There are huge differences in the east and south, north and west.

The opinion will, in this respect, focus on some specific sectors and regions to compare developments, needs and opportunities. It will furthermore look closely at the involvement of civil society, and more specifically at social dialogue and worker's participation as the main ingredients to deliver a Just Transition ensuring that no region and no worker is left behind as the EU embarks on the European Green Deal and the rapid decarbonisation towards a climate-neutral economy by 2050.