A Socially Just Green Transition

WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?

We live in a time of accelerating climate and environmental emergency. As we cross multiple planetary boundaries, our civilisation and ability to live on Earth are threatened.

While this planetary crisis affects everyone everywhere, marginalised communities and people in vulnerable socio-economic situations are the first and most affected by the impacts of climate change and environmental degradation. For example, people living in poverty lack the means to protect themselves and recover from climate shocks and natural disasters. Low-income individuals and families are more likely to live in climate-vulnerable areas and in poorly maintained or old housing. Outdoor workers in precarious situations are more exposed to temperature and weather extremes and have the weakest occupational health and safety protections.

Socio-economic inequalities are also at the root of the climate and environmental crisis itself. The richest countries represent only 16% of the world’s population, but are responsible for almost 40% of global greenhouse gas emissions. The richest 10% of the world’s population produce 52% of global emissions. Without improving the well-being and quality of life of all, climate action risks exacerbating existing inequalities, undermining confidence in the urgent and necessary green transition and ultimately generating frustration and anger that fuels resistance to necessary reforms and increases support for extremist political movements.

WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE?

Just transition should be set as a high political priority. The EU should create an overarching just transition policy framework to ensure that all climate and environmental policies are designed to also tackle inequalities and enhance rights and vice versa.

Our economic model should be sustainable, and promote the well-being of all within planetary boundaries, where the benefits of the green transition are equitably redistributed through ecological welfare states.

The European social model should be strengthened in order to guarantee access to fundamental rights and reduce socio-economic inequalities and all forms of discrimination.

A socially just transition should guarantee decent and sustainable jobs through strengthened social dialogue and collective bargaining, protection of workers’ rights and education and training.

Civil and social dialogue should be fundamental components of the development of just transition strategies and policy. 

At the international level, a global just transition should foster international solidarity and justice between Europe and the rest of the world. 

WHAT IS SOLIDAR DOING?

Together with its members and partners, SOLIDAR advocates for: 

• Mainstreaming the concept of a socially just green transition across all our main policy areas:
  • Social Rights in Europe
  • International Cooperation and Sustainable Development
  • Inclusive Education and Lifelong Learning
• Influencing policy-making at EU level by, among other things, contributing to the debate on policy files under the European Green Deal and various initiatives by EU institutions.
• Fosters broad alliances by leading the European Alliance for a Just Transition, a coalition of over 40 European stakeholders committed to advancing climate action alongside social justice.
• Supporting our member organisations to advocate for a just transition nationally, thereby increasing solidarity and cohesion between Member States.
• Providing capacity-building and training around EU climate and social policy to member and partners.
• Calling on the EU to deliver a socially just green transition not just for the EU, see our Campaign.