Achieving sustainability within planetary boundaries requires substantial changes in how we produce and consume, and this transformation will affect labour relations.

Over the past decade, Belgian federal and regional authorities have developed targets, scenarios, and plans to transition towards a low-carbon economy, aligned with European strategies and international agreements. Simultaneously, a core aim has been to increase employment rates and foster labour market opportunities. Integrating climate goals with work, employment, and broader social objectives is a key aspect of the concept of a just transition.

In this context, the LAMARTRA team aimed to explore the potential futures that could emerge from the low-carbon and labour transitions. It also sought to understand how these transitions can be governed to achieve both climate objectives and just work and employment opportunities.

A successful transition will have to navigate the redistribution of risks and opportunities in the labour market arising from labour shortages, working conditions, and labour market transitions among different economic sectors and socio-demographic groups. Deepening the practice of democracy at the various levels (firm, industry, societal…) appears to be a critical avenue toward a better future. This conference will discuss research results coming out of the Lamatra project which speak to the various ways through which the labour and ecological transitions are conducted and how democratisation in its various forms (social dialogue, consultation, workers’ participation, etc.) contribute to the successful governance of the double transition.

Preliminary programme available here
Register for the conference here