The growing use of digital technologies and the imperative for environmental sustainability are increasingly changing working life. The Just Transform project, funded by the Norwegian Research Council, explores how the green and digital transitions are affecting work, and how to support transformations that are sustainable, just, and inclusive.
As part of the project, members of the research consortium took part in the webinar Shaping inclusive digital and green transitions: a policy review on 13 February 2025. Hosted by IfM Engage and the Institute for Manufacturing, University of Cambridge, in collaboration with Vestlandsforsking (Western Norway Research Institute), this session shed light on the evolving roles of skills, workplace reconfiguration, and social inclusion in the context of the green and digital transitions.
The event began with welcoming words from Professor Steve Evans, from the Institute for Manufacturing, University of Cambridge, followed by an introduction to the Just Transform project from Professor Hilde G. Corneliussen, from Vestlandsforsking and project leader.
Drawing on a review of policy discourses from leading European and international organisations, Dr Jennifer Castañeda-Navarrete from Cambridge Industrial Innovation Policy (IfM Engage, University of Cambridge) outlined the challenges and opportunities at the intersection of the green and digital transitions and social inclusion.
Key themes of the discussion
The presentation and discussion centred around three key themes:
- How do international and European organisations frame the digital, green, and twin transitions? International and European organisations describe the digital transition as the widespread adoption of digital technologies, largely driven by the private sector. Key factors include greater access to technology, increased global competition, changing consumer expectations, and skill shortages. In contrast, the green transition is understood as a shift toward resource-efficient economies, typically led by the public sector through regulation and policy instruments designed to decouple economic growth from environmental degradation. The concept of “twin transitions” reflects the idea that digital innovation can support and accelerate green objectives. Digital technologies are often seen as key enablers of more sustainable practices.
2. How are these transitions changing working life? Key changes discussed included: evolving skills demands, labour shifts across sectors, reconfiguration of the workplace and work relationships, new risks and opportunities in occupational health and safety, and inclusion and exclusion dynamics.
3. What policies can support inclusive and sustainable transitions? Four policy areas emerged as central to fostering just and inclusive outcomes:
- Understanding observable and potential impacts – Through labour market monitoring, foresight, and gender-disaggregated data.
- Direct support for addressing challenges and opportunities – Through active labour market policies, skills development, and social protection.
- Ensuring diverse participation – Through social dialogue, collective agreements, and stakeholder engagement.
- Creating an enabling environment – By updating infrastructure, regulations, and developing policy frameworks.
The session concluded with final remarks by Professor Corneliussen, who emphasised the relevance of understanding the policy landscape shaping the green and digital transitions, how this influences individuals’ and companies’ behaviour, and highlighted the opportunities ahead. She also shared the recently launched website of the project: https://justtransform.no/
🔗 You can watch the full webinar here
📢 Stay tuned for the upcoming policy brief and report, which will share key insights and recommendations from the Just Transform project.
