The role of regional policies in shaping just transition pathways. Investigating niches and barriers in Emilia-Romagna (Italy).

The European Green Deal is a complex challenge for European countries. A key condition for its effective implementation is the ability to adapt its policies to the territorial conditions and socio-natural configurations across Europe. In line with a participatory and place-based approach, the essay recognises the importance of a contextual and in-depth analysis of the socio-environmental characteristics of a territory to identify effective and just ecological transition pathways. Drawing on the concepts of transition pathway and just transition, it first illustrates the methodology used to analyse the different European contexts involved in the H2020 project “PHOENIX - The Rise of Citizen Voice for a Greener Europe”, and then it reflects on the ongoing ecological transition in the Italian region of Emilia-Romagna. Through the analysis of the Labour and Climate Pact, approved by Emilia-Romagna in 2020, the essay provides a reflection on the barriers to the transition in this territory and the capacity of such regional policies to alleviate them, thereby promoting arenas where innovative niches can develop and spread.