This webinar, based on the Citizens' Observatory's report 'Green Deal Financing - Beyond profit', convened on March 26th a diverse panel of gender-balanced representatives from civil society and academia to scrutinise the EU's investment in industrial policy planning and public ownership of energy.

Panelists took turns answering two different questions from the moderator and the audience and the discussions centred on the inadequacies of EU public policy in ensuring a just transition that prioritises community welfare over corporate profits. Speakers underscored the urgency of shifting investments towards clean electricity and away from fossil fuels, recognising that private investment alone is not sufficient, particularly as renewable energy ventures may not yield immediate profits.Despite set targets, investment in the green transition remains insufficient, especially in peripheral regions, highlighting the need to decarbonise transport, housing, and invest in the energy supply chain.

Key concerns included the role of public subsidies in driving the transition, austerity measures' impact on job creation, and the looming end of the Next Generation EU budget in 2026, posing challenges in meeting investment needs. This prompted calls for transformative approaches that address citizens' needs and move workers into sustainable sectors, emphasising equity, justice, and community-based solutions.

Building key public infrastructure and broader public services to support a just transition was seen as essential. Moreover, the discussion touched on the global perspective, questioning the EU's reliance on the Global South for raw materials and clean-tech competition, and proposed solutions included democratic industrialization plans that prioritize job creation and safeguard workers' rights.

Suggested solutions included democratic industrialisation plans that prioritise job creation, support sustainable growth and protect workers’ rights. Measures to reduce the lobbying power of corporations and to increase workers’ participation in decision-making were advocated.

Ultimately, there was consensus on the need to bolster state capacity to manage change effectively and channel investments efficiently in the face of neoliberalism's evolving role.

The webinar facilitated robust debate among 30 attendees including the panelists - 20 of them coming from 11 EU countries (8 male, 8 female, 2 that prefer not to say and 2 that did not disclose this information) who did not join any of the previous online sessions of this work package, engaging with questions from the moderator. The panel was gender balanced, with 2 male and 2 female interviewees, and there was 1 male moderator.

A recording of the discussion can be accessed here.

This webinar was organized within the Citizens’ Observatory for Green Deal Financing project, financed by the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA).

EN Co funded by the EU BLACK