”Ensuring a long and secure future for generations to come.”

MEP Irena Joveva addressed the European Parliament on Tuesday, 21 November 2023, at the Strasbourg plenary session as a rapporteur on behalf of her political group Renew Europe. She addressed the European Parliament on job creation and the associated just transition and impact investment. Among other things, she advocated for a green deal, achieving climate neutrality and committed to a sustainable and just transition: ”All of this pursues a single goal: ensuring a long and secure future for generations to come”.

Joveva stressed that the European Union has adopted a number of legislative acts to preserve the environment, adding that job creation must also be preserved and protected. The MEP believes that there is a lot of potential for a green transition, though it will also require concerted support for all workers to take advantage of the opportunities of a just transition through ”appropriate education, training and the acquisition of new skills”.

”Above all, we must not forget the regions based on heavy industry, which will be the most affected during the transition, thus bringing insecurity to many Europeans. At this point, I would like to say to people that, with this report, we are laying the foundations for replacing the existing situation with better working conditions, a cleaner environment and, last but not least, a better life.’‘

BACKGROUND:

The transition to a climate-neutral economy offers both great potential and challenges for job creation, although it requires a coordinated policy response. Given its broad scope and interlinkages, it not only covers social and employment policies, but also industry, energy, economic and environmental policies. MEPs point to the need to support workers in sectors whose jobs urgently need to change in order to achieve climate neutrality, and to manage the transition in a way that will improve living and working conditions without increasing existing inequalities.