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    Towards a Fair and Sustainable Europe 2050June 2023

    Social and Economic Choices in Sustainability Transitions

    This foresight study explores possible and necessary changes in the European social and economic systems as the European Union engages in managing sustainability transitions towards 2050. With this focus, the study presents strategic areas of intervention covering a new social contract, governance for sustainability, people and economy, and the global perspective on sustainability. The study reflects on the agency of EU actors (such as government at various levels, business, and communities) to address the strategic areas of intervention as part of collectively addressing sustainability transitions. The study builds on a participatory foresight exercise, which generated four foresight scenarios for a climate-neutral EU in 2050. Based on each scenario, a corresponding transition pathway was co-created and analysed through the process. The study presents and analyses these outputs of the process. The outputs can also serve as input to policymakers and practitioners interested in conducting new participatory exercises on sustainability transitions.

    Source: European Commission - JRC - JRC Publications Repository 

    Posted on: 30/04/2025

    Last Edited: a month ago

    Strategic Foresight ReportJune 2023

    Sustainability and People’s Wellbeing at the Heart of Europe’s Open Strategic Autonomy

    The EU is engaged in a profound and ambitious transition to achieve climate neutrality and sustainability in the next few decades. This sustainability transition will be key to strengthen the EU's Open Strategic Autonomy, ensure its long-term competitiveness, uphold its social market economy model and consolidate its global leadership in the new net-zero economy. To succeed, the EU will need to address several challenges and make choices that will affect our societies and economies at an unprecedented pace and scale.

    The 2023 report provides an overview of the challenges we face and proposes ten areas for action to achieve a successful transition. To equip policymakers with economic indicators which also consider wellbeing, it proposes to adjust Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to take account of different factors such as health and the environment.

    This approach will bolster the EU's Open Strategic Autonomy and global standing in its pursuit of a resilient net-zero economy. 

    Overcoming key social and economic challenges

    As it goes through the sustainability transition – which encompasses both economic and social sustainability ­– the EU is facing several challenges. For example:

    • Evolving geopolitical shifts are shaping public opinion and how governments across the globe act, challenging international cooperation on global issues, such as climate change or the energy transition.
    • The need for a new economic model, focused on the wellbeing of people and nature, decoupling economic growth from resource use and shifting to more sustainable production and consumption. Up to 75% of Eurozone businesses are highly dependent on natural resources. Economic, social and environmental sustainability are inextricably linked.
    • Growing demand for adequate skills for a sustainable future. The availability of workers equipped with appropriate technical and soft skills will be crucial for the EU's competitiveness: 85% of EU firms today lack staff with the competences needed to navigate the green and digital transitions.
    • The sustainability transition requires unprecedented investments. Achieving it will depend on securing sufficient funding both from the public and private sectors.

    Ten areas for action
    Today's report identifies ten areas where our policy response is needed to ensure that the sustainability transition remains focused on the wellbeing of people and society:

    1. Ensure a new European social contract with renewed welfare policies and a focus on high-quality social services.
    2. Deepen the Single Market to champion a resilient net-zero economy, with a focus on Open Strategic Autonomy and economic security.
    3. Boost the EU's offer on the global stage to strengthen cooperation with key partners.
    4. Support shifts in production and consumption towards sustainability, targeting regulation and fostering balanced lifestyles.
    5. Move towards a ‘Europe of investments' through public action to catalyse financial flows for the transitions.
    6. Make public budgets fit for sustainability through an efficient tax framework and public spending.
    7. Further shift policy and economic indicators towards sustainable and inclusive wellbeing, including by adjusting GDP for different factors.
    8. Ensure that all Europeans can contribute to the transition by increasing labour market participation and focusing on future skills.
    9. Strengthen democracy with generational fairness at the heart of policymaking to reinforce the support for the transitions.
    10. Complement civil protection with ‘civil prevention' by reinforcing the EU's toolbox on preparedness and response.

    Source: European Commission - Press Corner - 2023 Strategic Foresight Report

    Posted on: 15/04/2025