Written by: Femi Royal, femiroyale01@outlook.com
Imagine the knot in your stomach as jobs disappear one by one in your close-knit Scottish town, the lifeblood of which has been the North Sea oil industry for generations. Your father, your neighbour, your best friend’s brother – their livelihoods, and the very fabric of your community, are threatened by the inevitable shift away from fossil fuels.
Now picture the frustration in a quiet French village as your already tight budget is squeezed further by soaring fuel bills, the cost of simply getting to work or taking your children to school becoming an unbearable burden. Or the anxiety of sitting in darkness in your Spanish apartment when the promise of a reliable renewable energy grid fails, leaving you disconnected and vulnerable.
Source Al Jazeera – Yellow vest Protests in France
These aren’t abstract scenarios from a climate change documentary; they are real-life experiences unfolding across Europe. They paint a stark picture of what happens when the urgent need for climate action overshadows the very real impact on people’s lives and livelihoods.
As the UK accelerates towards its ambitious 2050 net-zero target, a fundamental question hangs in the air: Can we achieve a fully green future without leaving already struggling communities behind? The experiences of our European neighbours offer crucial, and at times cautionary, tales.
Looking Back to Look Forward: Europe’s Warnings
2018 – The Yellow Vests Took to the Streets in France: The spark? A fuel tax intended to nudge the population towards greener transportation. But for countless working-class families, particularly in rural France where cars are a necessity, this tax wasn’t an environmental policy – it was a financial assault. It felt like a punishment for their circumstances, a demand to choose between environmental responsibility and putting food on the table. The gilets jaunes movement became a powerful symbol: climate ambition divorced from social reality breeds resentment and resistance. Their message resonated deeply: You cannot ask people to choose between the planet and their basic needs.
2025 – Blackouts in Spain and Portugal; Job Losses in the North Sea: The rush to embrace renewable energy in Spain and Portugal, while laudable, has been punctuated by unexpected and disruptive blackouts caused in part by sudden loss of power generation from solar sources exposing the vulnerabilities of electrical systems with high reliance on renewable energy. Insufficient investment in crucial infrastructure like energy storage and grid upgrades meant that the transition to wind and solar compromised the reliability of the power supply. For families and businesses plunged into darkness, the initial optimism surrounding a “clean energy future” began to wane. The promise of a green future rings hollow when the present is marked by instability.
Similarly, in the UK, entire communities have been built upon the foundations of the oil and gas economy. As the inevitable decline of offshore drilling accelerates and the clean energy sector grows, thousands of skilled workers face job losses, with many more at risk especially the recent announcement by Harbour Energy to cut another 250 jobs in 2025. While retraining and resettlement programs are often discussed, the reality on the ground has been more talk than tangible action. For those who have dedicated their lives to a specific industry, the transition must offer more than just vague promises; it demands concrete support, retraining opportunities, dignity, and genuine choices.
The energy transition is undeniably underway. However, for far too many, it feels like a force being imposed upon them, rather than a collaborative journey they are a part of.
Source BBC – The North Sea
The Real Cost of Going Green Without a Plan
Ignoring the human element in our climate policies carries significant risks, potentially replacing one crisis with another. The European experiences highlight several key dangers:
- Exploding Economic Inequality: Policies like poorly designed fuel taxes or sudden energy price reforms disproportionately impact low-income households. The Yellow Vest protests were a stark reminder that climate justice and social justice are inextricably linked. Without robust safety nets and targeted support, the green transition risks exacerbating existing inequalities, creating a two-tiered system where the wealthy can afford to go green while the vulnerable are left behind.
- Erosion of Public Trust Through Infrastructure Gaps: The fundamental expectation of a reliable energy supply cannot be compromised. The blackouts in Spain and Portugal serve as a potent warning. Public faith in the green transition will crumble if it is perceived to come at the cost of necessities like reliable electricity and heating. Investing in a resilient national grid, coupled with robust energy storage and backup systems, is paramount to ensuring a stable transition.
- The Human Cost of Neglecting Transition Support: Job losses in traditional industries are not just economic statistics; they represent the loss of livelihoods, skills, and community identity. Simply suggesting displaced workers “learn to code” after decades on an oil rig demonstrates a profound lack of understanding of the human dimension of this shift. A just transition requires comprehensive support, including accessible and effective retraining programs, investment in affected regions, and policies that prioritize dignity and offer genuine alternative pathways.
All major cities were hit by the Iberian blackout (Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)
What Should the UK Do Differently?
The UK can learn from these European experiences and forge a different path. We can still get this right, but it demands a realistic understanding of the timeline and an unwavering commitment to fairness.
Short-Term (Next 5–10 Years): Stabilize Before You Sprint
- Strengthen the national grid: Massive investment is needed to ensure it can handle the increased demands and intermittency of renewable energy sources.
- Invest in battery storage and backup systems: This is crucial for ensuring a reliable energy supply as we transition away from fossil fuels.
- Launch widespread retraining programs in green skills: These programs must be accessible, well-funded, and tailored to the needs of workers in transitioning industries.
- Support local, community-owned energy projects: Empowering communities to be part of the solution can build trust and foster a sense of ownership in the green transition.
Mid-Term (10–20 Years): Build Bridges, Not Gaps
- Gradually phase out fossil fuels with safety nets in place: This requires a clear timeline and robust support mechanisms for affected workers and communities.
- Direct investment to towns and cities most affected: Targeted funding can help diversify local economies and create new opportunities in green industries.
- Create local “transition councils”: These inclusive bodies, comprising workers, unions, and community leaders, can ensure that the transition is tailored to local needs and concerns.
Long-Term (20–30+ Years): Thrive Together
- Ensure the green economy provides real, lasting jobs: This means focusing on creating high-quality, well-paid jobs, not just precarious gig work or relying solely on subsidies.
- Monitor and adjust: Continuous evaluation of the social and economic impacts of green policies is essential to ensure no one is left behind.
- Celebrate success stories and tell human-centred stories: Highlighting positive examples of just transition in action can build momentum and maintain public support.
A Just Transition Isn’t a Luxury. It’s the Only Way Forward.
Climate change is the defining challenge of our time, and our response will shape our legacy. The UK faces a choice: we can rush headlong into a green future, allowing communities to bear the brunt of the disruption, or we can build a transition that is bold, fair, and centred on people.
The UK has the potential to be a leader not only in green technology but also in green compassion. We can power our future with wind and sun, but equally importantly, with care, inclusion, and courage.
Femi Royal studied International Development at the University of Reading. He is a Conservative Councillor in South England with a strong background in AgriTech, Sustainability and Finance. He can be reached on hi@femiroyale.com