Back to News

GreenPaths Conference in Brussels: “A Frozen Transition in a Warming Climate.”

10 Sep 2025

On the 2nd of September, the GreenPaths project hosted a timely conference in Brussels named: “A Frozen Transition in a Warming Climate.”

We examined how geopolitical uncertainty is influencing the just transition, particularly in relation to decarbonisation and critical raw materials within the EU. The event brought together policymakers, researchers, civil society organisations, and trade unions to share progress, align goals, and strengthen collaboration.

The event began with a keynote speech by Professor Julia Steinberger (University of Lausanne, Green Paths Advisory Board), who delivered her presentation online titled “Making light in dark times,” addressing the challenges of a just green transition and the opportunities to advance it.

Two expert roundtables tackled:

Roundtable 1: From Raw Materials to Decarbonisation: Navigating challenges in Europe’s green shift.

The challenges linked to shifting priorities toward the Clean Industrial Deal and the European Competitiveness Fund.

Speakers:

  1. Beatrice Coda. Directorate-General Research and Innovation.
  2. Diego Francesco Marin. European Environmental Bureau
  3. Greg Van Elsen. CAN Europe.

Roundtable 2: What comes next for a Just Transition

Opportunities: structural, institutional, and financial, to keep the just transition moving forward.

Speakers:

  1. Yblin Roman. SIRGE Coalition
  2. Gordan Bosanac. MEP, Greens Group.
  3. Pablo Sánchez. EPSU.

Discussions covered key issues such as:

  • The influence of military and security narratives on raw materials policy.
  • The role of corporate lobbying and its impact on democratic processes.
  • The tension between European industrial policy and the need for collaboration with the Global South, avoiding neo-colonial approaches.
  • The importance of public ownership, civil society engagement, and affordable public transport as pillars of a just transition.
  • The need to protect civic space and ensure Indigenous communities have the right to meaningful engagement, including the right to say “no” to extractive projects.

 

The day concluded with a networking lunch open to all participants.

Here is a recap video with key moments of the conference:

 

#GreenPaths Project