A just transition for Europe: EESC calls for fair and inclusive green policies

As the EU accelerates its drive toward climate neutrality, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) has issued a clarion call for a coordinated, fair and inclusive transition. In an opinion adopted during its December plenary, the EESC underscores the urgent need to ensure that no one is left behind as Europe reshapes its economy to meet ambitious climate goals. The recommendations align with the European Commission’s 2024–2029 priorities and address the critical challenges to jobs, skills, social welfare and regional disparities.

The EESC advocates for a comprehensive just transition policy package for the world of work, emphasizing flexibility for member states to tailor solutions to their unique circumstances. Social dialogue and collective bargaining are identified as cornerstones of this transition, ensuring that workers have a voice in shaping workplace changes and managing restructuring processes. Key proposals include conducting granular mapping of skills gaps, implementing comprehensive and inclusive training programs, encouraging companies to create transparent and actionable transition plans, bolstering worker consultation systems, and integrating just transition principles into broader EU strategies such as the European Pillar of Social Rights and the European Semester.

“We want the just transition to be a story where fairness, resilience, and sustainability pave the way toward a greener, more inclusive future,” said Dirk Bergrath, rapporteur for the opinion.

Recognizing that the green transition will not affect all regions equally, the EESC calls for targeted support and place-based solutions to address specific challenges and opportunities. Granular mapping of skills, regional needs, and sectoral transitions is vital to identify opportunities and address challenges effectively. This evidence-based approach will inform policies and ensure that resources are directed where they are needed most. The Just Transition Observatory, a European Commission initiative, is seen as pivotal in monitoring progress, providing data-driven insights,  and ensuring no region or community is overlooked.

The EESC also emphasizes the urgent need for increased and coordinated funding to bridge the gaps. Scaling up the Just Transition Fund and the Social Climate Fund, leveraging private investments, and aligning other EU financial instruments are deemed essential to provide the resources necessary for a fair transformation. Ensuring social and environmental conditionalities for the allocation of these funds will further guarantee they are used equitably. Additionally, the EESC underscores the importance of addressing the specific needs of vulnerable groups through targeted training programs and social protections.

Europe’s climate ambitions are undeniable. The EU aims to cut emissions by 55% by 2030 and achieve net-zero by 2050, with additional targets for a 90% reduction by 2040 under consideration. While these goals align with scientific imperatives, the journey to climate neutrality poses significant risks and opportunities for workers and industries. Approximately 40% of EU workers are expected to be directly affected by the transition, with certain regions and sectors bearing a disproportionate burden.

Cohesion policies and well-designed national measures will play a vital role in mitigating these impacts, ensuring that economic and social inequalities do not deepen in the face of rapid change. However, public resistance to green policies persists, driven by fears of unfair burdens and potential harm to European competitiveness. The EESC warns that failing to address these concerns could erode public trust and derail progress towards climate neutrality.

The EESC stresses the critical importance of embedding fairness into the EU’s green agenda. Drawing on International Labour Organisation guidelines for a Just Transition, the committee highlights the need for policies that prioritize decent work, social inclusion, and poverty reduction. These measures are not only moral imperatives but also practical necessities to sustain public support and ensure the long-term success of the European Green Deal.

As the EU pushes ahead with its climate goals, the EESC’s opinion serves as a reminder that the green transition must be as inclusive and equitable as it is ambitious – offering opportunities for all while protecting the most vulnerable and fostering resilience in regions and sectors most at risk. (ks)