Where does the concept of Just Transition come from?
The idea of a just transition originates in the American labour struggles of the 1970s. The Oil, Chemical and Atomic Workers Union called for the creation of a fund to support workers made redundant due to the environmental impact of their sector of activity.
From there, the notion of Just Transition gained ground and gradually entered the international debate (International Labor Organization, 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Paris Agreement on climate change).
A just transition at the European level
When the European Green Deal was adopted in 2020, the just transition was identified as a key pillar of the European Commission's new strategy. Among the Commission's objectives is that of ‘leaving no one behind’.
The Green Deal is therefore accompanied by a Just Transition Mechanism (2021-2027) to help the regions most affected by the changes underway (such as coal mine closures, for example) and to reduce the socio-economic impacts of these changes.
What about Belgium?
’The Vivaldi Government Agreement (2019-2024) called for the organisation of a National Conference on Just Transition.
To prepare for the conference, a broad societal consultation was organised: the General Estates for a Just Transition. Scientists, civil society, citizens and administrations were invited to share their recommendations for a just transition.
These recommendations were compiled in a document that you can find here in French and here in Dutch.
The Conference for a Just Transition in Belgium took place in November 2023. It provided an opportunity to take stock of the contributions made by the General Estates, as well as the opinions submitted by various bodies and institutions.
During the Belgian Presidency of the European Council, a European conference was organised in March 2024.
