Industrial workers’ perceptions on just transition and work in four Finnish regions: Three-level solutions

Abstract

Just low-carbon transition raises pressing questions about the fate of workers in different industries and regions. Industrial decarbonization will influence job availability, quality, and regional economic structures even where industries are not foreseen to phase out. Yet, labour-oriented just transition studies have so far focused on fossil fuel industries neglecting other energy-intensive industries. This qualitative research article focuses on energy-intensive industries in four industrially significant localities in Finland. These industries are expected to undergo significant changes in their energy-intensive production processes. The article examines industrial workers’ work and employment related perceptions concerning decarbonization, climate policies, and worker-level and regional capacities to transform vis-à-vis vulnerability under decarbonization. The findings reveal that just transition appears not only as a regional but also as an intra-factory and worker-level challenge, requiring comprehensive addressing by multiple actors. Differing regional characteristics and companies’ decarbonization strategies link to different perceptions about transition prospects and related justice concerns. While some solutions suggested by workers are shared across all studied contexts, others relate to region- or industry-specific factors or socially vulnerable worker groups needing more support. The results also call for reassessing the relationship between public and private sector regarding their responsibilities for just transition.