Green transition. Navigating social challenges for a sustainable future

Climate change is an undeniable and accelerating reality. Never in the last 3 to 5 million years has the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere been so high, nor has the increase ever been so rapid. The conclusions of the European Council in October 2019 recognised climate change as an existential threat to humanity. Climate change is one of the foremost concerns of European citizens, who overwhelmingly support the shift towards a greener future. 

The imperative of the green transition is indisputable and pressing, leaving no room for postponement. The key question is how to achieve it effectively. The EU has set ambitious goals in recent years and has taken the lead globally, aiming to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. These objectives mark a revolutionary shift towards sustainability. However, a combination of global and economic challenges has emerged since these goals were set, ranging from the tumult caused by the COVID-19 pandemic to wars such as those in Ukraine and the Middle East, alongside surging inflation and fiscal constraints within the EU. 

This complex backdrop has brought the social challenges accompanying the green transition into focus. Despite apparent citizen support, enthusiasm decreases when confronted with trade-offs. Economic and financial concerns take precedence, as highlighted in a 2023 EIB survey that showed reluctance among respondents to fully embrace the costs of the transition.

Council of the European Union, General Secretariat of the Council, Green transition – Navigating social challenges for a sustainable future, Publications Office of the European Union, 2024, https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2860/124698

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