Just Transition for the Automotive Industry
Channel: RosaluxEuropa
Date: 2021-07-22

The recent job losses due to the pandemic in the automotive industry and its supplying industry worldwide have shown that the future of the automotive industry must be sustainable and climate neutral. With regard to the next climate summit COP26 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) it is clear that the announcements of climate neutrality in 2050 cannot be the only signal of climate ambition and will certainly not be enough to guarantee justice and survival for the most vulnerable now. 

Investments need to be attracted to make the transport sector compatible with the Paris Agreement objectives, that means massive investments in public transport and rail traffic are necessary. For this we need a progressive industrial policy which creates alternative employment and transforms parts of the automotive industry. We have to put climate friendly solutions on the agenda of cities and communities, so that people can see what a “just transition” in the transport sector means, that it tangibly improves their daily lives. 

We need a new social contract to create climate friendly jobs with “just transition”, ensuring rights for all workers, universal social protection, equality which will end discrimination and inclusion to make sure that no one will be left behind. Because all workers are affected by climate change and we need a “just transition” for the automotive sector, as well as in the energy sector.

SPEAKERS:

- Ulrike Eifler, DIE LINKE. (the left party, Germany), spokeswoman working group companies and trade unions
- Benjamin Denis, IndustriALL
- Katharina Stierl, Students for Future
- Karoly Gyorgy, international secretary, Hungarian Trade Union Confederation

Facilitator: Manuela Kropp, RLS Brussels

The interpretation is intended to facilitate communication and cannot be considered an authentic reproduction of the discussions.