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Multistakeholder partnerships are essential to ensure that the green transition is not only environmentally sound and economically viable but also socially just. This policy brief investigates how relevant actors (national and regional authorities, the social partners and civil society organisations) are pursuing a green and just transition using a partnership approach in eight European regions facing particular challenges as a result of the phase-out of fossil fuels.

Based on case studies, the policy brief examines how the actors involved perceive the just transition and identifies partnership practices that work and those that warrant improvement. It also describes how the regions see the future of partnership for a just transition in the medium and long terms and draws policy pointers from the evidence gathered.

Creating a new social contract for the just transition: Is partnership working?

English(1.3 MB - PDF)

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Key messages

While the European Green Deal enjoys broad support, the success of the green transition will depend on agreement about economic, environmental and social priorities at regional and local levels. To ensure a just and swift transition for workers, business and across communities, alignment on local and regional interests is critical.
Effective planning for adverse consequences of the green transition requires the meaningful involvement of the social partners, civil society, the research community and other socioeconomic actors. Top-down solutions risk creating resistance to policies and a climate backlash, whereasa partnership approach is a means of addressing concerns about equity and fairness.
Stakeholders value the participatory approach in the Territorial Just Transition Plans but many express frustration. The social partners feel their input is limited to information sharing rather than true consultation, and civil society reports struggling to find its place in the process. Regional authorities value their role, while local authorities have high expectations about their future involvement.
A successful partnership approach relies on an inclusive process that takes into account local traditions, as well as institutions that support the implementation of the Territorial Just Transition Plans. However, complex procedures, bureaucracy and capacity issues remain significant barriers.
Policymakers need to develop regional jobs and skills roadmaps to ensure good-quality jobs. By creating a shared vision for regional regeneration, they can offer communities, workers and businesses hope for a healthy future within the limits of the planet's resources.

Tables and graphs
Catalogue info

The policy brief contains the following lists of tables and figures.

List of tables

Table 1: Challenges and opportunities of a just transition in the eight regions
Table 2: Stakeholder involvement in the TJTP and satisfaction level
Table 3: Effective practices of partnerships and proposed improvements
Table 4: The future of partnerships for a just transition - challenges and opportunities

List of figures

Figure 1: Perceptions of just transition by national stakeholders
Figure 2: Citizens' support for climate action in the eight Member States (national averages, %)
Figure 3: Degrees of stakeholder participation in developing TJTPs in the eight Member States
Figure 4: Medium- and long-term challenges and opportunities of the just transition for regional partnerships

Number of pages

Reference nº

EF24012

ISBN

978-92-897-2421-0

Catalogue nº

TJ-01-24-001-EN-N

DOI

10.2806/2419218

Permalink

eurofound.link/ef24012

Cite this publication

Eurofound (2024), Creating a new social contract for the just transition: Is partnership working? Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg