European Commission sketches socially fair green-digital twin transitions

In its Communication, the European Commission acknowledges in particular that:

• the green and digital economic transformation can only succeed if it is fair and inclusive.
• labour reallocation within and between sectors will require reforms and large–scale investment in reskilling and upskilling.
  
• a strong policy response at all levels will be needed to effectively address the social and cohesion challenges ahead.
• flanking measures will be required to mitigate the distributional impacts of the twin transition and that Member States and regional and local governments will also have to play their part, involving the relevant actors on the ground, including social partners and civil society, in the design and implementation of effective enabling policies and flanking measures.
  

The Communication also stresses that by ensuring a balanced territorial development and creating quality job opportunities for everyone while taking measures to mitigate the negative impact on the most vulnerable, including those at risk of energy poverty, and strengthening access to social protection, the economic transformation can help address pre–existing socio–economic inequalities, improve health and promote equality.

CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger said: “I welcome the focus of the Euroepan Commission on the need to make the profound green and digital transformations which we currently experience socially fair and balanced. The notion that the twin transitions will also require measures to promote adequate working conditions is particularly important.”

He added: “Unfortunately, the European Commission intends to rely mostly on private sector investments. Public investment is only seen as an accompanying catalyst for private investment. For us, it is clear that public investments must play a key role in the financing of fair transitions for citizens, consumers and workers. It is necessary that public debts must remain manageable but we also see scope for further public revenues for instance through a tough fight against tax evasion and tax avoidance. Ressources gained in this way should be deployed for fair transitions.”