LUCSUS Seminar: Transitioning Unions: What constitutes a just transition for Swedish industry workers?

The Swedish Climate Policy Framework of 2017 herald a transition towards a fossil-free industry and society by 2045. The transition has been portrayed as both a promise and a peril for Sweden’s industrial towns, and in particular Swedish workers and unions. The paper discussed in this seminar details how Swedish union representatives from the country’s three largest industrial emitters (steel, oil, cement) reflect on what constitutes a ‘just transition’ for the places where they live and work. These local perspectives are contrasted to that of the central level – nationally and internationally – that are closer aligned to claims made by segments of the climate movement. The paper identifies differing interpretations of what constitutes a just transition, primarily with regards to pace of transition, ability to maintain current levels of jobs, and sense of loyalty with regards to the locality and home of the workers. The paper also identifies a conflict within the labour movement on its stance with regards to the climate movement. 

Bio

Johan Gärdebo serves as a postdoctoral fellow on the project Fossil fuel entanglements, studying how Swedish industrial towns transition to a decarbonised society.

Registration

To join the seminar online please sign up here. You will then receive a confirmation email with a zoomlink to the seminar. 

The LUCSUS seminars are open for the public, held online and take place Thursdays from 11am to 12 noon. We are looking forwards to seeing you!

Read more about the LUCSUS seminar serie on LUCSUS website