The 4th seminar in the Speaker Series: Claudius Gräbner and Jakob Hafele: “The relevance of regional divides for the green transition”.

For many EU countries and regions, the green transition is an opportunity; for others (e.g. those regions dependent on fossil fuels and energy-intensive industries), the green transition could become a challenge to their socio-economic futures, leading to possible opposition to stricter EU climate regulation.

Therefore, adequate policy measures are needed to leave no one behind and support regions in developing a green economy. This motivates the guiding question of this talk: How can the challenges of climate change mitigation and socio-economic convergence in the EU be addressed together?

Fairness is key to tackling today's complex challenges from the climate and energy crisis to inequality and inflation. So, how can we ensure a green and digital transition that is fair and inclusive, leaving no one behind? How can we increase awareness and promote a better understanding of the interplay between digital and green transitions, and their interlinkage with social fairness? And how can we strengthen employment and social aspects in R&I for fair green and digital transitions?

In search for these answers, DG EMPL is glad to invite you to the Speaker Series "Social Policy unpacked: Exploring pathways for fair green and digital transitions", co-organised with the Zoe Institute for Future-Fit Economies. The event series brings together outstanding thinkers who will channel their ideas and approaches into the European policy debate. We, the policymakers, as well as the wider public will be challenged to think outside the box, identify evidence gaps and new avenues for fair green and digital transitions and discuss implications for R&I and policymaking in the EU.

Claudius Gräbner and Jakob Hafele will share their insights into

• How and when is economic, social, and territorial cohesion in potential conflict with the goal of more effective climate policy?
• How can we take into adequate consideration the needs of different countries/regions and facilitate a fair green transition?
• How could policy opportunities from local to EU level foster socio-economic convergence while mitigating climate change?

Registration

• Date: 8 March 2023
• Time: From 3 - 4 PM CET
• Register for the event here and find more information on the Zoe Institute's website

Background

The speaker series consists of twelve online seminars running from December 2022 until June 2023. Other topics and speakers will include:

• 22 March: Populism and Carbon Tax Justice, with Vivien Schmidt
• 5 April: How technology shapes inequality, with Karen Yeung
• 19 April: Homeownership, renting and society: implications for the European Green Deal, with Sebastian Kohl
• 2 May: How technology shapes inequality, with Karen Yeung

The Speaker Series is funded by the European Commission under Horizon Europe and is open to staff as well as to the public.