On 11 December 2019, the new Commission launched its proposals to launch a radical European Green Deal as the ‘new Green strategy for Growth and Jobs’, complemented by a Just Transition Mechanism and a Communication building a ‘strong social Europe for Just Transitions’. President Von der Leyen confirmed that the Green Deal must ‘leave nobody behind’. We welcomed these initiatives as a clear sign of the political will to tackle climate change shown by the Commission – this is a positive step in itself and should be recognised as such.
However, the EU must demonstrate that it is indeed possible to make a responsible ‘Just Transition’ for people and planet – and not just for the economy and green growth! The ‘Just Transition’ must seize the opportunity to not only protect the most vulnerable from negative impacts of climate change and transition, but ensure they benefit from the transition. This means embedding a new social compact for a socially just, rights-based EU, underpinned by the European Pillar of Social Rights (EPSR) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as part of a coherent social and sustainable Agenda 2030 Strategy, if they are to garner the necessary support and deliver on commitments for a Europe that works for people and planet.
EAPN aims with this Reflection Paper to contribute to the ongoing debate about the European Green Deal and the Just Transition, bringing key points from the anti-poverty sector into the debate. The paper is based on EAPN’s vision of a just, sustainable and poverty free Europe.
We propose 6 key messages which could strengthen the links between the environmental and social aspects of the European Green Deal:
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A Just Transition, will not be just, if the poor pay for it!
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A European Green Deal must be a European Social Deal
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Massive public investment is needed
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The richest, the most powerful and the most polluting should pay – tax justice must be a key pillar of the Just Transition
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Civil society and engagement of people experiencing poverty in European Green Deal and Climate Pact is crucial
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The right to affordable clean energy must be a key part of the European Green Deal
