Helping vulnerable people in the clean transition: the role of the Social Climate Fund

1. 5 Mar 2026, 08:30 - 09:00 (CET)

   Registration and welcome coffee
2. 09:00 - 09:10 (CET)

   Introductory remarks
3. 09:10 - 09:20 (CET)

   Keynote speech

   Enrico Letta, former Prime Minister of Italy, Dean of the IE School of Politics, Economics, and Global Affairs

4. 09:20 - 09:30 (CET)

   Welcome speech

   Mario Nava, Director-General, Directorate-General for Employment, Social Rights and Inclusion, European Commission

5. 09:30 - 10:45 (CET)

   Distributional impacts of ETS2 and the role of SCF: why ETS2 matters for people

   Plenary session

   Panel discussion moderated by Jeroen Jutte, Director for Employment and Social Governance, Analysis, DG EMPL, European Commission.

   This panel will discuss how the extension of emissions trading to buildings and road transport (ETS2) will affect households and why its social and distributional impacts matter. It will highlight the role of the Social Climate Fund in supporting vulnerable groups and ensuring a fair and socially balanced transition.

   • Marcos Gonzalez Alvarez, Head of Social Climate Fund and EU ETS2 Implementation Unit, DG CLIMA, European Commission
   • Georg Zachmann, Senior Fellow, Bruegel
   • Peter Liese, Member of the European Parliament
   • Mikael Leyi, Secretary-General, SOLIDAR
   • Līga Kurevska, State Secretary, Latvia
6. 10:45 - 11:15 (CET)

   Coffee break
7. 11:15 - 12:30 (CET)

   Breakout sessions

   Addressing energy poverty

   This session will bring together experts, stakeholders and Member States to discuss the main drivers of energy poverty and how targeted policies and investments can effectively support vulnerable households. It will focus on the role of Social Climate Fund in delivering practical solutions and ensuring a fair energy transition.

   Opening by João Pedro Gouveia, Researcher; FCT, NOVA University of Lisbon & Energy Poverty Advisory Hub Coordination Team

   • Alejandro Ulzurrun de asanza y munoz, Head of Consumers, Local Initiatives, Just Transition Unit, DG ENER, European Commission
   • Faryda Hussein, Policy officer European Funds, Ministry of Social Affairs, Netherlands
   • Amalia Georgescu, First Vice-President, Women in Business Organisation (OFA), Romania
   • Frederik Spinnewijn, Director, FEANTSA

    

   Addressing transport poverty

   This session will bring together experts, stakeholders and Member States to examine the challenges of transport poverty and how measures and investments can improve access to affordable, sustainable mobility. It will highlight how the Social Climate Fund can help ensure that the transition in the transport sector is socially inclusive.

   Opening by Giulio Mattioli, Researcher, TU Dortmund University

   • Karen Vancluysen, Secretary-General, POLIS Network
   • Elisabeth Kotthaus, Head of Social Aspects, Passenger Rights & Equality Unit, DG MOVE, European Commission
   • Vakaris Atkočiūnas, Economist analyst, Climate Policy Group, Ministry of Environment, Lithuania
   • Angelos Amditis, Project coordinator, ELABORATOR
8. 12:30 - 13:30 (CET)

   Networking lunch
9. 13:30 - 14:00 (CET)

   Official launch of the European Fair Transition Observatory (EFTO)

   Plenary session

   With Andriana Sukova, Deputy Director General, Directorate-General for Employment, Social Rights and Inclusion, European Commission

   • Nikola Biller-Andorno, Professor of Ethics and member of the European Group on Ethics in Science (EGE)
   • EFTO Advisory Board Members
10. 14:00 - 14:30 (CET)

    Turning carbon into capital: frontloading ETS2 for a faster fair transition

    Fireside chat

    With ETS2 set to launch in 2028, early investments are crucial to ensure a smooth and socially fair transition. This session explores how the EU emissions trading system can drive decarbonisation, innovation, and job creation, while supporting vulnerable households. The European Investment Bank will present its new €3 billion ETS2 Frontloading Facility, developed with the European Commission, enabling Member States to pre-finance climate investments ahead of future revenues.

    • Beatriz Yordi, Director for Carbon Markets and Clean Mobility, DG CLIMA, European Commission
    • Wenda Jacamon, Head of Operational Strategy Unit, EIB
11. 14:30 - 15:45 (CET)

    Reaching those most in need: implementing Social Climate Plans for maximum impact

    Plenary session

    Panel discussion moderated by Ruth Paserman, Director for Funds: programming and implementation, DG EMPL, European Commission.

    Building on the findings and key messages from the previous panels, this panel will bridge together academia, stakeholders and Member States to explore how Social Climate Plans can be effectively implemented to reach those most in need. It will focus on translating priorities into concrete action on the ground and maximising the impact of the Social Climate Fund through well-targeted measures and coordinated delivery.

    • João Pedro Gouveia, Researcher; FCT, NOVA University of Lisbon & Energy Poverty Advisory Hub Coordination Team
    • Giulio Mattioli, Researcher, TU Dortmund University
    • Eugenia Mansutti, Head of Climate and Environment, EUROCITIES
    • Lena Schilling, Member of the European Parliament
    • Ola Goransson, Senior Adviser Climate Division, Ministry of Climate and Enterprise, Sweden
12. 15:45 - 16:00 (CET)

    Closing remarks

    Kurt Vandenberghe, Director-General, Directorate-General for Climate Action, European Commission

    Mario Nava Director-General, Directorate-General for Employment, Social Rights and Inclusion, European Commission

13. Show 7 more items
14. 16:00 - 17:00 (CET)

    Networking drink

Practical information