Just Transitions Summit: How can we fight the climate crisis and achieve economic and social justice?

The Charles A. Scontras Center for Labor and Community Education will host “Just Transitions Summit: How can we fight the climate crisis and achieve economic and social justice” from April 3-5, 2025. Discussions and workshops will explore the meaning of a “just transition”, and the ways in which workers’ livelihoods and communities can be supported in the shift to a clean energy economy.

Does a just transition simply consist of a “superfund for workers” or is it also a chance to undo oppression of marginalised groups who have historically borne the brunt of environmental injustice? How do we not only protect the livelihoods of workers currently employed in polluting industries, but also ensure that new green jobs are union jobs that give workers power in the workplace? This summit will create space to examine and debate these questions from diverse perspectives.

Planned sessions include:

+ Municipalism at the Intersections of Labour, Energy, and Climate Justice

+ Ensuring High Quality Job Creation in the Buildout of Clean Energy Infrastructure

+ The Strategic Role of Co-operatives in a Just Transition

+ Leveraging Federal Funds to Build Worker and Community Power

+ Climate Justice: Power & Privilege

+ The Arts as a Tool to Achieving Climate Justice and Social Justice

+ Putting the Community Back in Community Solar: A case study on consumer-owned energy development