Towards a Fair and Sustainable Europe 2050: Social and Economic Choices in Sustainability Transitions
Amidst the pressing challenges posed by the climate crisis and related extreme weather events, environmental degradation, as well as biodiversity loss, it becomes increasingly evident that swift and extensive action is imperative worldwide. As a leading force in the fight against climate change, the European Union is resolute in its commitment to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. Expanding on the previous year’s analysis, which outlined 14 requirements for successful “twin” digital and green transitions, this study provided the foresight input to the European Commission’s 2023 Strategic Foresight Report by delineating key areas and measures in the social and economic spheres. It places the wellbeing of people, as well as social and economic fairness as fundamental principles within all sustainability endeavours.
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. .
Discover the report
The JRC Science for Policy report 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
This report forms the basis of this year’s Strategic Foresight Report.
Further reading
| Originally Published | Last Updated | 05 Jul 2023 | 06 Jul 2023 |
| Knowledge service | Metadata | Foresight |