Towards an EU framework for a just transition: welfare policies and politics for the socio-ecological transition

In this article, we argue that, since the publication of the European Green Deal, an EU framework for a just transition is gradually emerging, consisting of legislation, funding and guidelines to ensure that the opportunities deriving from the green transition are exploited, while the related social...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inEuropean political science Vol. 23; no. 1; pp. 14 - 26
Main Authors Sabato, Sebastiano, Mandelli, Matteo
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published London Palgrave Macmillan UK 01.03.2024
Palgrave Macmillan
Subjects
Comparative Politics
Frame analysis
Legislation
Political Science
Political Science and International Relations
Political Science and International Studies
Political Theory
Politics
Qualitative research
Research methodology
Special Issue article
Welfare policy
Green transition
Eco-social policies
European Green Deal
Welfare state
Just transition
Online AccessGet full text

Cover

More Information
Summary:In this article, we argue that, since the publication of the European Green Deal, an EU framework for a just transition is gradually emerging, consisting of legislation, funding and guidelines to ensure that the opportunities deriving from the green transition are exploited, while the related social challenges are addressed. Relying on qualitative research methods, we first identify the features of key EU policy instruments for a just transition and, in particular, the role therein attributed to welfare policies. Second, we provide insights on the political dynamics behind the emergence and design of these policies. Hence, we build a bridge between the eco-social debate and political science, focusing on both EU level policies and politics. We conclude that, while a number of initiatives for a just transition have been elaborated by the EU in recent years, such an EU framework should be further developed, including by focusing more on providing citizens with financial 'buffers' and ensuring consensus on the green transition through social and civic dialogue. Considering the politics behind these EU eco-social policies, we find that their emergence has been characterised by both incremental and transformative elements, while their features have been affected by traditional conflict lines characterising EU politics.
ISSN:1680-4333
1682-0983
DOI:10.1057/s41304-023-00458-1