Key actors from public and private sectors join local leaders’ call for targeted funding and stronger cooperation for a just green transition

Dialogue stresses need to integrate just transition into future Cohesion Policy for an environmentally sustainable and socially equitable transformation 

The plans of the European Union to cut greenhouse gas emissions and achieve climate neutrality require a socio-economic transition, which is most acutely felt in regions relying heavily on fossil fuels and carbon-intensive industries. For this reason, the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) hosted the Multi-Level Dialogue on Just Transition focusing on balancing social, economic, and environmental goals while maintaining Europe’s competitiveness.

Achieving climate neutrality at EU level is an ongoing process. However, energy-intensive industries, such as automotive manufacturing, face significant hurdles, with many companies forced to lay off workers. Local and regional authorities as well as labour unions therefore emphasised together with Commission representatives the importance of dialogue and coordination between local, regional, national, and European Union bodies in ensuring that the transition to a green economy is both equitable and effective. They underlined that addressing the economic and social challenges of this transition, while also promoting sustainability, should remain a key priority for the European Union.

In two panel discussions, CoR members, Commission representatives, NGOs and worker organisations explored how to allocate resources strategically to the regions most in need, with a focus on collaboration between policymakers, local communities, and industries. They stressed that both immediate needs, such as the preservation of jobs, and long-term goals, like economic diversification, need to be addressed through strategic funding allocation. They further addressed how just transition principles are embedded in existing EU legislation and what improvements are needed for future policies. Panellists examined how upcoming legislation could provide better support for vulnerable regions and discussed the importance of stakeholder cooperation.

The dialogue concluded with participants highlighting the importance of ensuring that Europe’s just transition is both environmentally sustainable and socially equitable. Coordinated policy frameworks, strategic funding allocation, and cross-sector collaboration will be critical to balancing decarbonisation efforts with maintaining economic competitiveness. 

Quotes:

Marco Marsilio (IT/ECR), President of Abruzzo region: “We need a gradual and technology neutral approach to ensure that the transition is just and does not compromise our competitiveness. The new European Commission must reconsider the most burdensome regulations and timelines, such as the CO2 emission regulation for new cars and vans, to give our industries time to adapt. Next to that, given the demands placed on our regions and industries, more funding should be allocated to support the most energy-intensive industries and regions in their transition efforts.”

Sari Rautio (FI/EPP), member of the Hämeenlinna City Council: "Just transition is not only about money. We need place- based and people-based policies, especially in just transition. Because it is all about people and their lives. We need ecosystem skills, and different people to work together. We need to enhance the skills of people, – create trust and positive new connections. We should not leave a single young person behind – we need to involve youngsters in just transition, because it is their future we are working on. Just transition is about opening views towards a brighter future.”

Raquel García González (ES/PES), Director General for European Affairs for the municipality of Asturias: "While the European Union's climate ambition has always been considered as an opportunity for regions, it has been a blow to those territorial economies that are highly dependent on fossil fuels. Support through the Just Transition Fund is necessary and will continue to be so in the future EU budget, and it should take place in a specific and differentiated way, with priority being given to those regions that have already started the process and are facing the emergency of rebuilding and transforming the whole society. The future focus of the JTF must be faithful to the essence of the fund, not all green transition is just transition.”

More information: 

The Multi-level Dialogue on Just Transition is a recurring event that is hosted by the European Committee of the Regions and organised in cooperation with the European Commission. The aim of the Dialogue is to promote exchange between the different levels of governance in the process of just transition throughout Europe. Rewatch here. 

The just transition in European regions is of central importance to the European Committee of the Regions. The CoR adopted in its October plenary session the opinion on “A Just Transition for all EU regions” by rapporteur Marco Marsilio (IT/ECR), which stresses the urgent need for targeted EU funding and a technology neutral approach to ensure a just transition that does not compromise the competitiveness of Europe's regions and industries.