Ensuring a just transition to climate neutrality debate
04.12.2019
Organized at the conference center of the Permanent Representation of the Republic of Poland to the EU, the event was an opportunity to debate ways to achieve the very ambitious long-term goals for the EU's climate policy, which will need immediate development of new instruments, including financing, in order to effectively support the transition, especially in the most affected regions and Members States. The event gathered many experts and was opened by the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Poland to the EU Andrzej Sadoś.
The supposedly clear goal of climate neutrality by 2050 still poses some important unsolved dilemmas. The necessary and sought “green transition” is related to significant costs and challenges to be faced by the European and MSs' economies.
Such a transition – which should aim to both preserve and ideally enhance European competitiveness - must be just and socially balanced and take into account Member States' national circumstances. At the same time, new instruments, including Carbon Border Tax, should reinforce the effects of a unilateral climate action undertaken by the European Union so far and contribute to combating carbon leakage. A significant fraction of GHG emission reductions within the EU countries has already “leaked” outside the Union. This is particularly important in the case of energy-intensive and trade-exposed (EITE) sectors.
The transition will require changing the value chains of EU's industries and service sectors, modifying consumers behaviour and will have an impact on the livelihood of all citizens. In this context, the Just Transition Fund could be a step in the right direction. If designed properly, it can contribute to the development and ensuring a high quality of life of citizens based in the regions, which will be most affected by the pursued climate policy. This is a matter of solidarity with the regions concerned across Europe as no one should be left behind, especially in regions relying today heavily on solid fossil fuels extraction.
All these and many more matters, including the size of the Just Transition Fund, were the subject of a debate between:
Adam Guibourgé-Czetwertyński, Undersecretary of State, Ministry of Climate of the Republic of Poland
Artur Runge-Metzger, Director, Directorate-General for Climate Action, European Commission
Gunnar Muent, Deputy Director General, Projects Directorate, European Investment Bank
Maciej Burny, Director for International Relations, PGE Group
and the audience.
The discussion was moderated by Jonas Ekblom journalist at Thomson Reuters covering climate and energy.
