Schleswig-Holstein's Social Affairs Minister, Aminata Touré, has kicked off a push for federal states to have a say in the design of the EU's future Social Climate Fund. Touré presented her proposal at the federal states' employment and social affairs ministers conference in Berlin, advocating for resources from the fund to be allocated for local measures. The minister's request was met with unanimous support from the conference.
"Our society must become more climate-friendly and climate-neutral," Touré said, stressing the need to mitigate the social impact of climate protection measures on vulnerable groups, such as low-income households and micro-enterprises. She emphasized the importance of striking a balance between climate goals and societal well-being for acceptance and cohesion in society.
The EU plans to finance the Social Climate Fund starting in 2026, drawing upon revenues from the new emissions trading scheme for buildings and road transport. The fund is expected to provide around 86 billion euros.
Involving federal states in the design process of the Social Climate Fund can bring several advantages. By leveraging local knowledge, stakeholder engagement, and a holistic approach, the fund's allocation can be more targeted and equitable. Furthermore, the federal states' input can inform the EU's strategy, ensuring that no region is left behind in the pursuit of a sustainable future.
- Federal states can provide invaluable insights into local needs, enabling tailored interventions that address energy poverty and support vulnerable households and micro-enterprises.
- Engaging federal states in the design process fosters transparency, legitimacy, and public support, ensuring that climate initiatives are more equitable and effective.
- A holistic approach allows federal states to integrate broader eco-social policies, balancing environmental ambitions with social justice.
- Performance-based distribution ensures that funds are allocated efficiently based on specific needs and plans of each member state.
- Sharing experiences and best practices among federal states promotes innovation and improves the overall strategy for a sustainable and equitable future.
- Addressing specific challenges unique to each region can help mitigate the socio-economic impacts of decarbonization, such as the Just Transition Mechanism (JTM), which aims to support regions affected by the energy transition.
References: 1. OECD. (2019). Greening the Recovery: An Investment Framework for the Just Transition. Retrieved from 2. ILO. (2019). Just Transition. Retrieved from
