Giving the EU’s Just Transition a platform to stand on
Addressing the social, economic and environmental challenges — that go hand in hand with transitioning from carbon intensive systems — requires a set of strategies that ensure those most affected are treated fairly. The European Commission’s Just Transition Platform seeks to put those very people and communities at the center of the transformation.
Ensuring a just transition requires a common point of intersection where all stakeholders — from policymakers, to businesses and civil society — can meet and discuss approaches and strategies. In the European Union (EU), Member States can leverage the Just Transition Platform which allows them to tap into support made available through the Just Transition Mechanism and Just Transition Fund.
The Just Transition Mechanism was proposed by the EU in 2021 as part of its Green Deal initiative. Its purpose is to make funds available to those communities and sectors most affected by the transition to a low carbon economy. Although other countries and regions have developed other mechanisms to ensure a just transition, the EU’s is considered a benchmark of how to implement policy support for a just transition and sets a clear example of strategies that can be used to ensure that climate friendly policies do not disproportionately burden certain groups.
We must show solidarity with the most affected regions in Europe, such as coal mining regions and others, to make sure the Green Deal gets everyone’s full support and has a chance to become a reality.
Frans Timmermans, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission
As part of the Mechanism a Just Transition Fund was set up, expected to generate 25.4 billion EUR in investments, and the innovative Just Transition Platform was also created, which provides a single access point and helpdesk to assist EU countries and regions in the transition. Because, ensuring a Just Transition requires teamwork and collaboration across regions, sectors and interest groups.
From providing a space where best practices can be shared to information about the funds available and regulatory updates the Platform has proven to be a vital cog in the EU’s efforts.
A recent study analyzing the effectiveness of the Just Transition Fund looked at three case studies that were supported by the Initiative for Coal Regions in Transition (the Framework’s precursor) and assessed them with the just transition framework in mind to see if past issues would be overcome with the new approach.
The study revealed that the most prominent justice issues found were distributive and procedural due to scarce funding and a lack of stakeholder participation, issues that the Just Transition Platform could potentially help bridge.
The Just Transition Platform puts people and communities at the centre of the transformation, by listening to their aspirations and giving them the tools to realise their ideas.
Elisa Ferreira, Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms
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