Populists are using climate policy to stir anti-EU sentiment. If we don’t deliver a Just Transition with proper funding and real worker involvement, the project will be corrosive for the whole European Union.

“Trade unions are not here to argue about the science,” said Judith Kirton-Darling, General Secretary of industriAll Europe. “Our responsibility is to protect workers and their jobs. But we also know that ignoring the climate crisis isn’t an option.”

“Also, at a time when facts are being ignored by many world leaders, we welcome a democratic debate based on science—both on what the EU’s climate targets should be and how to shape the policies needed to protect workers and good jobs.”

Conditions for Worker Support

1. A Just Transition That is More Than a Slogan

IndustriAll is calling for serious investment and binding agreements to ensure a fair transition for all workers and regions. That includes a legal framework on Just Transition (ensuring the anticipation and management of change), increasing the Just Transition Fund and requiring governments and employers to negotiate real transition plans with trade unions.

“Populists are using climate policy to stir anti-EU sentiment,” Judith Kirton-Darling said. “If we don’t deliver a Just Transition with proper funding and real worker involvement, the project will be corrosive for the whole European Union.”

2. Global Fairness and Climate Justice

IndustriAll Europe stresses that while greater low carbon energy autonomy is vital, the EU cannot decarbonise in isolation. Taking on this fight alone when it is responsible for only 6% of global emissions would be irrelevant. Instead, Europe must push for stronger global climate cooperation and solidarity while protecting its own industries from unfair competition.

“Decarbonisation is also about energy independence and resilience,” said Judith Kirton-Darling. “But if other major economies don’t step up, or if we open the door to climate dumping, we’ll lose jobs and credibility. The EU needs to lead globally, but with protections in place and while protecting climate justice.”

3. A Real Industrial Strategy based on Innovation and Investment

The EU’s climate targets need to be backed by massive investment in clean technologies, investment into existing industrial facilities, and modern energy and transport infrastructure. Moving to a carbon neutral economy has the potential to create good industrial jobs, but Judith Kirton-Darling warned that austerity budgets and delayed investments are eroding trust among workers.

“When companies and governments postpone or cancel green investments, workers lose faith,” she said. “And while dubious tricks like buying international credits might give them temporary relief, it will create incentives for strategic investment to take place outside Europe. We want clean industry here in Europe, not more investment leaking abroad at the expense of European jobs.”

4. Fair Burden-Sharing Across All Sectors

European industry has already done much of the heavy lifting on emissions—cutting nearly 50% in 20 years—while other sectors like agriculture, transport and buildings lag behind.

“Industry cannot be the scapegoat for inaction elsewhere,” Judith Kirton-Darling warned. “We make the materials—steel, glass, chemicals—needed to decarbonise other sectors. We should be seen as part of the solution, not a problem to phase out. But large-scale decarbonisation in transport and buildings demands a socially fair plan to ensure that mobility and energy poverty and inequalities do not increase. Social leasing, investment in public transport, as well as energy efficiency and renovation programmes are triple wins – governments must ensure the support needed”.

European Commission proposal for an amendment to the EU Climate Law
European Commission press release

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