Just transition to low-carbon economy: responding to political and ethical challenges of global climate change

Following the important work that the Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS) has conducted on the issue of a just transition, and within the framework of our partnership with Fondation Jean Jaurès and the the Transnational Law Institute, within the Dickson Poon School of Law, King’s College London, FEPS is co-organising two important side events during the COP23 Summit in Bonn, Germany. 

A concept of Climate Justice frames global climate change as a political and ethical issue, not strictly an environmental one. It recognises that the poorest, most vulnerable people regularly suffer the greatest impacts of climate change even though they produce the least emissions that drive it. This concept could be applied within the EU to meet the Paris Agreement, by means of a just transition to a low-carbon economy. This Side Event will present practical options to address climate justice in a socially equitable manner. It will highlight EU success stories and opportunities for collaboration and the sharing of good practices with other UNFCCC parties.

This side-event will be co-organised with the support of the European Economic and Social Committee

Speakers:

• Georges Dassis, president of EESC
• Cillian Lohan, CEO of the Green Economy Foundation, the EESC’s rapporteur for climate justice
• Brice Lalonde, Former French Environment Minister and Ambassador for Climate Change, President of Business and Climate Summit
• Anne-Beth Skrede, Adviser – Environment, Climate and Sustainable Development, Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions (LO)
• Stephen Minas, Senior Research Fellow, Transnational Law Institute, King’s College London, Assistant Professor of Law, School of Transnational Law, Peking University

Moderated by Vassilis Ntousas, FEPS International Relations policy advisor