Understanding Europe: A Just Transition

A major aspect of the climate transition in the EU has been the idea of a ‘Just Transition’, but this leaves us questioning what that actually means. In this episode, Brendan and Charelle explore what the Just Transition means and how it is applied internally in the EU.

With the help of CERiM experts Francesca Colli and Toon van Overbeke, they also explore the role of the Just Transition philosophy in the EU’s policy, identifying COP27 as a major moment where the EU attempts to commit to transitional justice in shouldering the burden of dealing with the damages of climate change. Is the EU ambitious enough in these regards, or does it fail in communicating said ambition?

Secondary sources as suggested by Francesca and Toon:
- The Good Ancestor: How to Think Long-Term in a Short-Term World (Roman Krznaric)

- Carbon Captured: How business and labour control climate politics (Matto Mildenberger)

Sources mentioned throughout the episode:

- Fit for 55

- European Green Deal

- Building Capacities and Strategies of Trade Union Involvement in Shaping A Just Transition Towards a Sustainable and Decarbonised Industry

- The EU’s Just Transition: three challenges and how to overcome them

- Council conclusions with EU negotiating strategy