From August 23rd to 27th, 2023, a seminar on the topic “The European Green Deal – making the socio-ecological transformation a future project for all” took place in Podgorica / Montenegro, organised by NBH (Nell-Breuning-Haus), in collaboration with EZA and funded by the European Union.
Over 40 representatives of employee organisations from Belgium, Germany, Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova, North Macedonia, and Montenegro collected trade union positions on the Green Deal, information on the status of transformation and national strategies and concepts.
In the greetings by Silviu Ispas (IFAS), Veselin Mitov (PODKREPA), Jochen Mettlen (CSC), Slobodan Antovski (UNASM), Rainer Rißmayer (NBH) they emphasised the importance of the topic, the urgency of social-ecological transformation and for everyone above all, the difficulties that are the opportunities for the future that lie in this change towards an environmentally friendly way of life and working environment. The European Green Deal is intended to support and accelerate the ecological transformation of the EU states. What this shows above all is that there is a gradient and different speed within and between countries. Above all, the social impact on working people has not yet been the focus of this change. Because jobs are already being lost where environmentally harmful industries and energy production are being shut down or converted. At the same time, this restructuring will be linked to digitalisation in all areas of life. And finally, people must also be able to afford ecological renewal, such as solar collectors, electric vehicles and environmentally friendly heating systems. Everything is linked to good social conditions for people, to the preservation and creation of jobs and good working conditions. These demands are currently in danger of not being realised. The first important aspects for the seminar can be identified from the opening statement:
1. The economic imbalance in the EU countries continues to prevent and slow down ecological change with a social and human face. This imbalance particularly affects the Southeast and Eastern European nations.
2. There the awareness of this socio-economic transformation is not yet very developed among the populations.
3. In the western EU nations, ecological change is happening faster because there is more capital, knowledge, and awareness.
4. The dialogue between the social partners and politics is developing very slowly, especially in the southeastern EU nations.
5. The social partners have a responsibility to shape structural change in particularly vulnerable regions of the EU in a social manner and not to abandon people.
6. The trade unions in the southeastern EU countries are making greater efforts to convince people of the need for clean forms of energy, climate protection and the associated social consequences and, above all, opportunities and to provide information.
Daniel Freund (MeP) explains the structure and goals of the European Green Deal in a video message. This is primarily about the various laws in all areas (e.g., transport, gas, oil, coal, heat, electricity, construction, agriculture) that are intended to transform the economy and allow it to benefit from this change. This brings about innovations, new technologies such as digitalisation and therefore good jobs. It is also about many EU certifications for ecological measures in national and EU areas. One example is the end of the fossil combustion engine from 2035, for which there is already an EU regulation. In total, an EU fund of around one trillion euros has been made available for the transformation. All laws and concepts are about the fair balance between employees, economic interests, societies, and the maintenance of high and even increased social standards overall.
Sandra Obradovic (UFTUM) explains in her welcoming speech that the Union of Free Trade Unions of Montenegro (UFTUM), founded in 2008, started with social dialogue and is now an important and successful actor for the rights of working people. About 30 years ago, Montenegro signed a declaration for an ecological state. Goal: The highest ecological standards and norms for living standards and nature conservation. Unfortunately, these standards have not been met to date. For example, nature reserves are being developed. Agriculture will be weakened if Montenegro does not adhere to these principles and the European Green Deal. Last year, politicians unanimously decided to consistently apply the Paris Agreement, the UN SDGs, and the European Green Deal and not only to create awareness of this among the population, but also to involve them in it. For example, all construction projects are checked for these ecological principles and banned if they are not met. The unions are very interested in Montenegro's EU membership and are currently analysing paragraph 27 in Cluster 4 (Green Deal, energy, transport policy and Chapter 21, the so-called Trans-European Network). It is very important for the Montenegrin union representatives to be in contact with colleagues from European countries and to exchange experiences.
Frederik Moch's (DGB Bund - Germany) main theme and thesis is that this Green Deal can only be successful if all Europeans from North, East, South and West work together. It will take a long time for the next 30 years or so. And the focus is on social issues. Only if these are solved in a positive way for people can there be a social, ecological, and fair economy in Europe. The multidimensional crises (Covid 19, war in Ukraine, energy crisis, price increases, etc.) are delaying the implementation of the Green Deal, showing the lack of unanimity in the European Union, and tying up additional financial resources at the expense of social development. Within the framework of the Works Constitution Act, the German trade unions have influence on companies when it comes to the social balance of the socio-ecological transformation. And that is also used. The transformation affects all areas of public and private life. The goal of saving a certain amount of CO2 by 2030 is extremely ambitious. In some cases, the European Commission has even tightened its requirements and laws due to the current crises to achieve the goal of “fit for fifty-five” (climate neutrality in Europe in 2055). Emissions trading 1 will significantly accelerate industry change and the production of, for example, green steel or green energy. Jobs and occupational safety must not be lost. This is a major challenge for the unions. The so-called emissions trading 2 then affects buildings in the private and public sectors. This poses major social risks for the people who must pay the higher energy prices. Especially since the buildings must be equipped with alternative energies in terms of energy and heat technology. Here, people all over Europe and especially in the southeastern European countries lack financial resources. The European Commission therefore wants to set up a so-called climate social fund to provide financial relief for people in Eastern and Southeastern Europe. Unfortunately, the fund does not have enough financial resources and therefore needs to be increased significantly.
During the conversion process in the Rhenish lignite mining area, the focus is on talking to local people about climate-neutral entry into new forms of energy, new infrastructure, the settlement of companies, projects relevant to culture and the population and new jobs. All social partners are involved in the discussions.
Miladin Sekulić (UFTUM, NN-SSCG) comes from a coalfield in Montenegro. The only coal-fired power plant in the small town of Pljevlja supplies 40% of Montenegro's energy. It is an important employer and financial factor for the small region. Around 1,400 people work at this power plant. Mining employs another 1,200 people. There are also two hydroelectric power plants in Perućica and Piva. There is also wind and solar energy. But that doesn't make up more than 12% of energy production. Wind power plants are too expensive in Montenegro. If the coal-fired power plant closes immediately, Montenegro will have a massive, existence-threatening problem with the electricity supply. Also related to jobs. A comparison: The coal-fired power plant uses as much coal in a year as German coal-fired power plants use in a day. The contribution to global air pollution is therefore small. In Podgorica, around 5,000 houses heat primarily with coal in winter. Air pollution is high there. There is no heating in summer and air pollution is low. The steel and aluminium industries are already closed. The European Commission is demanding an answer from the Montenegrin government by the end of 2023 on the question of when coal production will end. Some states have been able to provide an answer. Montenegro cannot do this. Nobody offers an alternative to this energy production and to securing jobs. Wind and solar energy are used very little in Montenegro. The trade union of Montenegro expects the ministries to give a firm answer to the question of when coal production will end. Some countries will close in 2030 or 2033, some not until 2049. UFTUM has joined the Southeast European “Just Transition” association. In a government survey, most employees spoke out in favour of preserving these jobs in coal production and the union must protect the interests of the employees. Unfortunately, it does not have comprehensive information on the European Green Deal. Even the government doesn't know where the energy will come from in the future. However, the population of Montenegro cannot pay for imported electricity. Nevertheless, the people and government of Montenegro are positive and welcome climate neutrality for their country. Together with the Balkan states and with the help of the EU, this transformation will succeed.
Chris Löw (Democracy Workshop Rheinisches Revier) presents the project, which involves affected people of all ages and social statuses in designing their living space. The focus is on dialogue and democratic participation in reconciliation with the circumstances. Those affected are primarily residents of the villages adjacent to the opencast mine, such as Kukum, Berverath, Ober- and Unterwestrich, Holzweiler, Keyenberg, and of course the people who have been resettled in “new” villages. The project actively promotes the networking of committed people and initiatives. The transformation towards an ecologically influenced industrial society is a kind of pilot project for the future, democratic coexistence, and cooperation of people. The Rheinisches Revier democracy workshop is a project by Nell-Breuning-Haus and the State Centre for Political Education.
Vladimir Topalov (Bulgarian Miners' Association in PODKREPA) and Dimitar Cholakov (Bulgarian Energy Workers' Union at MINI Marits Iztok EAD) report on the ecological conversion of coal-fired power plants. The energy-producing coal-fired power plants have been equipped with exhaust air filters for decades. But that is not enough. The European Commission only releases financial resources for the complete conversion to ecological energy production. This creates fear among people working in the energy sector about their future. The so-called pre-accession funds must ensure that people in the regions are still there after the closure of coal-fired power plants and coal mining, do not migrate, and can learn new professions in these sectors. The government has not yet shown any initiative in this direction. Our task is to take up the ecological future ideas from Germany, for example, and implement them in our transformation for our industrial regions and rural areas. Bulgarian trade unions are the link between business, government and working people. The population must be convinced by all social partners that clean energy will be cheaper than fossil energy. But this is only possible if enough clean energy is produced. There is currently a major communication and information deficit. There is a power plant that meets current eco-standards, but it is in an industrial region, beyond the rural areas. But private sector initiatives are also finally contributing to climate neutrality. Large shipping companies are building rail terminals to transfer their goods from trucks to rail. The state itself does not currently support these initiatives.
There is a large brown coal basin in Bulgaria. The coal-fired power plants located there produce a total of around 3,500 MW of electricity, primarily for metropolitan areas. In summer production reaches 40%, in winter up to 60%. These are the facts. However, Bulgaria meets the EU's energy targets for 2030. Bulgaria is a leader in the development of photovoltaic systems. This is a good development. Bulgaria looks enviously at German politics, which works very closely with business, the trade unions and the population and provides enormous financial resources for the transformation. This does not happen in Bulgaria. There are declarations of intent from constantly changing governments. For the unions it is a tough struggle for dialogue and participation.
Nevertheless, the population welcomes green energy. But a house cannot be destroyed until a new house has been built. Kiril Binev (Bulgarian Union of Cultural Workers PODKREPA) adds that culture plays a major role in this transition to an ecological future. This also includes education, knowledge, healthcare, for example. In the field of education, people need to be convinced that there are many ways to save energy and protect nature. In addition, there are plans and some implementations for the digitalisation of public administration from an ecological perspective. People are at the centre of this transformation. And this change must be fair.
Florin Hossu, (Romanian Regional Union Cartel Alfa Maramures), Iulian Gavrila (Romanian Youth Committee Cartel Alfa Brasoc), Marian Apostol (Romanian Cartel Alfa Caras-Severin) and Alin Munteanu (Cartel Alfa Gorj) report on coalfields, energy, and education in their country. In recent years, infrastructure measures have been carried out from an ecological perspective to modernise the transport network, improve energy infrastructure or expand the healthcare system. Romania has significant water resources, geothermal energy for renewable energy and is seeking to use these resources for alternative energy. The problem is still funding. Nothing has changed in the last 12 months. There appears to be more money available for transformation in the western EU countries than in the eastern European countries. This imbalance slows down change. And Romania, like Bulgaria, is still dependent on fossil fuels for the future. However, due to the closure of coal mines and their power plants, there is still no guaranteed energy supply. Romania, like its neighbouring country Bulgaria, has to import electricity from EU countries. It is expensive and puts a strain on the population. Due to today's multiple crises, this will not change any time soon. And the environment continues to be damaged in disused mining operations. Ecological education is becoming increasingly important in Romania. Because achieving climate neutrality is aimed at the future, at the children and grandchildren. This information about the Green Deal and climate change must be offered and discussed in schools, but also in parents' homes and in everyday life. And set an example. For example, waste separation, which works very well in Romania.
Divna Zmejkovska and Slagjana Milivojevic (UNASM) note that the Green Deal, sustainability, and alternative energies are not yet a very big topic among the population and government. The government signed a contract with the EU on the Green Deal in 2020, but has not yet informed its own population, business, and trade unions about the content. It is only here at this conference that we are hearing from the EU states present about the scope of the Green Deal, a huge nuisance. The unions are trying to create broad awareness and knowledge about climate change and its consequences. The transformation is a major challenge for North Macedonia. But it also offers opportunities for new careers, jobs, and good working conditions. In recent months, several citizens' initiatives have emerged that deal with the Green Deal. The government has finally founded the “Committee for the Future”. This coalition is currently finalising the online platform “The Green Voice”. The population now can express their opinions and ideas about the Green Deal, to enter dialogue and exchange information. Of course, the Green Deal requirements can only be achieved if economic growth is guaranteed, and it will only be implemented in North Macedonia if all social partners and the public have taken part in this dialogue.
Sergiu Cocos (Moldovan Trade Union PPA) explains the situation in Moldova. Around 35 million buildings need to be converted to be energy efficient and ecological. Moldova plans to reduce CO2 pollution by 310 million tons by 2030. And additional jobs could be created in Moldova by 2035. The EU supports financially and with know-how. The Moldovan population welcomes the goals of the Green Deal. Of course, there is also a technical and critical discussion. There are complaints about the lack of transparency of the key figures and the lack of cohesion within these goals. The circular economy and agriculture are also problematic points. The Institute for European Studies argues that there will be further imbalances between western and eastern EU states if the Green Deal is not designed fairly. The Green Agenda is also a major challenge for Moldova. According to the opinion of the population and the government, it should lead to the ecological, economic, societal, and social recovery of the eastern countries. But here too, the central point is the low financial resources that should accompany this transformation. And we need capable people who can communicate the issue and make suggestions in the Moldovan regions. All of this is complex matter for a small country like Moldova.
The visit to the energy museum “Muzej energetike” in Cetinje/Montenegro stimulates discussions about the past, present, and future of energy supply among the union representatives.
Findings/consequences/requirements/implementation/resolutions/recommendations
The organizers and participants of this seminar have come to the realization that...
1. Civil, economic, and governmental initiatives have been launched in the participating countries to advance social and economic transformation.
2. the trade unions are becoming increasingly aware of their role and are striving to educate working people about the Green Deal and at the same time stand up for the preservation of jobs in an ecological society.
3. the social situation of people must not be further worsened by the Green Deal.
4. the prices for sustainable and environmentally friendly energies must be affordable for everyone.
5. The unions must continue to make it clear that people are at the centre of this change and also enforce this within the framework of social partnership.
6. the social partners must also be prepared to engage in dialogue.
7. The Eastern and Southeast European nations come together to form trade union and civil associations to shape the transformation in order to make the change fairer.
8. Awareness, communication, dialogue with the population and education for children are crucial.
9. Governments must make information more transparent and implement laws that have been passed.
10. the Green Deal must not lead to a social gap between Western and Eastern Europe. Especially in the southeastern European EU countries, people's social decline is increasing due to the required Green Deal processes.
11. Romania and Bulgaria feel disadvantaged and abandoned by the measures of the European Green Deal. They feel trapped in an “ideological trap” by the EU, which aims to first destroy everything that is harmful to the environment (for example in regions with an exclusive coal industry) without offering help for ecological reconstruction at the same time. The people working in these destroyed industries lose their jobs and social security.
12. The world of work, the Green Deal, the economy and social society must not be a contradiction. It's all about people.
13. It has also become clear that, for example, the topic has so far had little weight in the North Macedonian public and politics. It was only through this seminar that the trade unionists understood the scope of the Green Deal based on the reports and dialogues of those who took part in the seminar.
14. the mutual exchange of experiences at this seminar is important and has confirmed or refuted experiences. It can only be done together in the interests of people.
15. There are initial successes towards a climate-friendly world. Civil initiatives are being formed, plans are being drawn up, wind turbines are being built, education is being provided, occupational safety is being promoted, water and geothermal energy are being selected as possible energy sources, shipping companies are building rail terminals in order to transport their goods in a climate-neutral manner, dialogue platforms are inviting the population to find out about climate change, the Greens to inform the deal and make suggestions etc.
16. Despite the great challenge of this transformation, there has been increased confidence in being able to manage this change. Montenegro and Moldova also look forward to the development.