MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – The urgent need to keep and strengthen the Just Transition Fund in the next Multiannual Financial Framework – E-001807/2024

Question for written answer  E-001807/2024
to the Commission
Rule 144
Elena Kountoura (The Left)

The Just Transition Fund plays a crucial role in supporting regions and workers in Greece and other Member States that are being affected by the transition towards climate neutrality. The fund offers economic and technical support for these countries to decarbonise and restructure their economies, to avoid a rise in regional inequalities. However, the transition is a years-long process that often exceeds the limited time frames of EU funding periods. Every region faces different challenges to different degrees and experience so far has highlighted the need to secure resources and tools that ensure workers are protected and that economic restructuring can continue beyond 2027, particularly in regions that are impacted the most because their GDP is reliant on lignite[1].

In view of the upcoming revision of the cohesion policy and the planning of the new MFF 2028-2034, can the Commission answer the following:

• 1.Does it plan to propose keeping and reinforcing the Just Transition Fund as a separate funding instrument in the next MFF?
• 2.How will it ensure that the Just Transition Fund goes on supporting the regions that are dependent on economic activities with high carbon emissions, particularly where decarbonisation is still in its infancy?
• 3.What steps does it intend to take to strengthen social conditionality and environmental protection during the implementation of the Just Transition Fund so as to ensure that the transition is truly just and sustainable for all EU citizens?

Submitted: 24.9.2024

• [1] The implementation of the Just Transition Fund to date has not been easy in all Member States. Certain Member States had national specificities or faced crises that impacted the timely implementation of the relevant projects. Certain regions are still in the early stages of implementing the Just Transition Fund and therefore the process has not yet gained the full trust and support of the local communities affected by the transition.