Towards a Climate-Neutral Industry - Together

While technical hurdles and political framework conditions for industry transformation are widely discussed, the social dimension of industrial transformation receives less attention. However, a meaningful transformation cannot occur without the active involvement of industry, policymakers, and citizens.

New infrastructures – such as pipelines, power lines or plant conversions – will affect citizens, and reactions to these changes are hard to predict. This uncertainty makes it even more important to address social issues and potential conflicts early on, particularly regarding infrastructure expansion and the fair distribution of transformation costs.

These social dynamics directly impact both structural and industrial policy: Industrial policy must extend beyond promoting innovation and competitiveness; it must also strengthen social cohesion, reduce regional inequalities, and ensure job security in sectors undergoing transformation. It must help shape an economy that is not only greener, but also fairer. Similarly, structural policy has a key role to play in supporting the regions most affected by the transformation.

The event organised by the Wuppertal Institute and the German Economic Institute brings together stakeholders from society, politics, business, and science to explore and discuss these pressing issues on September 24, 2025 from 11 am to 3 pm at the Representation of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia to the European Union in Brussels.

Participation is free of charge. Registration and the detailed programme are available via the link below.