Abstract

A Semi-plenary – Joint RFF-CMCC-EDF Policy Session on “Policies to support workers and communities in the transition to clean energy economies in the US and the EU“.

This policy session will promote debate and exchange about the crucial challenges of pursuing an equitable clean energy transition for workers and fossil-fuel dependent communities. Indeed, the clean energy transition does not just pose technological and scientific challenges, but also specific socio-economic challenges for “coal and carbon-intensive regions” (i.e. still heavily dependent on fossil-fuel-based industries or extraction). Any ambitious climate policy will further reduce fossil fuel use, with substantial employment and income impacts in communities where coal, oil, gas, or certain manufacturing activities dominate the economy. Importantly, many of these regions have already experienced the consequences of deindustrialization and economic dislocation in recent decades.

Panelists will discuss what effects the transition towards clean energy economies have had/may have on livelihoods and the sustainability of local and regional economies; the will highlight the methodological challenges associated with identify policies and instruments that have been implemented (and could potentially be implemented) to overcome negative effects and capitalize on positive ones; they will illustrate different methodological approaches to achieving a deeper understanding of these issues and promote the design of effective policies to support workers and communities in the transition to clean energy economies. The session will promote a dialogue between academics, including but not limited to environmental economists, and other stakeholders involved with workers, industry and policy making.

Organizer

Elena Verdolini, RFF-CMCC European Institute on Economics and the Environment (EIEE), the Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change (CMCC)
Wesley Look, Resources for the Future (RFF)
Susanne Brooks, Environmental Defense Fund (EDF)

Chair

Elena Verdolini, RFF-CMCC European Institute on Economics and the Environment (EIEE)

Panelists

Hanna Brauers, University of Technology Berlin
Susanne Brooks, Environmental Defense Fund (EDF)
Marion Dumas, Grantham Research Institute, LSE
Wesley Look, Resources for the Future (RFF)
Félix Mailleux, European Trade Union Confederation
Jan Witajewski, University of Warsaw

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Room : https://tu-berlin.zoom.us/j/97035126084?pwd=K05qSnBnM0NBbHZLSUVCQ3h5bXBIUT09
Webinar ID: 970 3512 6084
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