Just transition on the ground: Challenges and opportunities for social dialogue

Abstract

The process leading to a net zero carbon economy by mid-century will have massive effects on jobs, labour relations and income distribution. The idea of just transition – that achieving the ambitious objectives to bring climate change under control will only be possible if the transition to a net-zero carbon economy is balanced and just – has evolved in the last four decades from a union initiative to a complex policy framework adopted by international organizations, and also referred to in the COP21 Paris Agreement (UNFCCC, 2015). Building on literature analysis, this article deconstructs the concept of ‘just transition’ by discussing its various interpretations and dimensions and highlighting the role of trade unions in applying it. Based on sectoral case studies, concrete examples from two key sectors of the European economy – energy and automobile – are given, where massive employment transitions are under way and social dialogue plays a key role. Conclusions about the changing role of trade unions and the importance of co-operative industrial relations are drawn.

Just Transition and Workers’ Rights in the Global South: The Recent Argentine and Chilean Nationally Determined Contributions

“…Whilst governments must promote social dialogue at all stages when implementing green and just transition policies, social partners play a key role in elaborating and implementing just transition policies. Whilst national and sectoral unions may be able to influence and shape the green and just transition agenda, local or enterprise unions may play a more important role in the implementation stage [43].…”

Future conditional: From just transition to radical transformation?

“…Just Transition has become the ‘framework developed by the union movement to encompass a range of social interventions needed to secure workers’ rights and livelihoods when economies are shifting to sustainable production’ (ETUC, 2016; Galgóczi, 2020: 13). As Galgóczi explains in this issue, the notion of Just Transition can be traced back to the 1960s in a dispute over uranium mining in Canada.…”

“…Galgóczi (2020) recently questioned how far unions are up to the challenge of a zero-carbon economy by 2050 and able to act in the common interest as ‘social movement’ unions, given internal tensions concerning job losses in traditional sectors and their customary position as ‘business unions’ managing change driven by profit. Lundström (2018), in an interesting article on the lack of a dialogue between the climate policy developments of unions at national level and the climate interests of members in relation to the greening of transport in Sweden, pinpoints the difficulties involved, as national unions.…”

From Treadmill of Production to Just Transition and Beyond

“…Since early-2000, many energy companies in Italy faced significant restructuring processes to convert carbon fossil and other highly polluting industrial activities into renewable energy production. Energy-conglomerate Enel, for example, committed to decarbonize its energy mix by 2050 (Galgóczi, 2020). Early reaction of the sectoral unions was concerned with job losses that the new industrial plan involved, yet, Enel’s commitment to involve unions, local authorities and communities in making a just energy transition proved real:Despite the decarbonization of its production, the company wanted to maintain a leading role as (green) electricity provider all across the country and beyond, thus preserving good relationships with local stakeholders and the unions was a priority.…”