Between the 15th and 16th of June, the 14th edition of the European Development Days (EDDs) will take place. The theme of this year’s edition is “The Green Deal for a Sustainable Future”. 

Ahead of the EDDs, SOLIDAR members met within the Just Transition Academy to discuss about the measures to adopt to ensure that the implementation of the Green Deal is socially just, inclusive, fair and promotes gender equality. According to SOLIDAR, for this to happen, there is a real need to transform the current economic development model and to promote social economy.  

To move towards a sustainable future, Just Transition should be at the core of the EU policies and actions. Indeed, to be just, the green transition must have a strong social dimension, and social and environmental goals must be recognised as equal and mutually reinforcing.  

Greening our economies must take into account the human development needs of the populations, including the necessity to guarantee decent work opportunities and trainings, social inclusion policies and social protection mechanisms to make sure that no one is left behind. 

A Just Transition underpins universal health rights for all, including access to treatment and vaccination to prevent the spread of a pandemic, and quality public services for all. 

To be just, the transition needs to happen with the active participation of the different stakeholders – workers, social or ethnic minorities, and more – through democratic governance, social dialogue and civic dialogue to ensure their resilience in a time of transition and to contribute to the provision of dignified and environmentally sustainable livelihoods.  Trade Unions, Social NGOs, social movements have a say and should be involved in decisions related to the Green Deal. 

The successful implementation of the European Green Deal relies on ensuring the connection between the environmental, social and economic policies in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The EU should keep focusing on the implementation of this global agenda to achieve a sustainable future for all. 

Further readings:

• SOLIDAR Briefing Note – The EU Green Deal in International Partnerships: https://www.solidar.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/solidar-briefing-note-the-eu-green-deal-in-international-partnerships.pdf

• SOLIDAR Study – Promoting a Just Transition in Europe and Worldwide: https://www.solidar.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/solidar-study-promoting-a-just-transition-in-europe-and-worldwide.pdf