Sammendrag
What scope do we have for accomplishing the societal transformation to low-emission and sustainable welfare states? Can welfare state provisions help to protect the transition against climate denialism and populist backlash? Available evidence suggests that to achieve positive and sustainable outcomes, the transition has to build on basic principles of social citizenship (solidarity, autonomy and participation). Inclusive solidarity because the harmful consequences of climate change are socially regressive; affecting adversely the lives of people in vulnerable and disadvantaged positions more strongly than the lives of people in secure and privileged positions; both within single countries and in the global context. Relative autonomy because in the best traditions of welfare states, the transition needs to enhance persons’ capability, integrity and control over their lives. Participation in deliberation and decision-making because the transition will require commitment, trust and shared ownership to the need for the societal changes in question. More specifically, the paper outlines how a combination of recharging and adjusting key welfare policies might enable a ‘just transition’. Such policies have to include: (i) regional policies to prevent new territorial divergences in living standards as result of the transition, (ii) active labour market policies to enhance the learning of new knowledge and skills to enable a cross-sectorial restructuring and transformation of economic activity, and (iii) the provision of basic income security for all.
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