One pressing challenge for modern societies is a transition to a carbon-neutral economy. This task requires a system-wide change, as markets alone will not be able to sufficiently address the complexities of the intertwined environmental degradation and social inequality. A political framework is needed that ensures economic systems operating in the public interest and don’t leave individuals and whole areas left behind. 

This means that a just transition agenda must also focus on addressing the political dimension of structural changes, by giving people a voice in crucial political decisions and a vision for their personal future and that of their communities. This interactive session will explore examples of how communities are dealing with COVID-19 and how to harness this momentum to increase a population’s social capital in the rebuilding of local economies, while strengthening the sense of belonging and social cohesion.