Effective Communication Complementing Accelerated Green Transitions
In order to foster just green transition, Western Balkan (WB) countries need to increase awareness and knowledge also among the community. As such, the GreenFORCE project’s dissemination activities are focused on making research results and their communication accessible and understandable for the society at large. Furthermore, the long-term impacts of the knowledge generated by GreenFORCE should benefit from implementation of evidence-based policies, instruments and actions of green transition in the WB. The GreenFORCE initiative complements this endeavor by allocating a Summer School specifically to the topic of “Communicating Just Green Transitions: Navigating the Path to a Sustainable Future”. This dedicated focus enables a comprehensive exploration of the theoretical and practical aspects of promoting sustainable development, thereby enhancing the understanding of the role of communication in facilitating a just and equitable transition to a green economy.
Effective communication plays a pivotal role in accelerating the Just Green Transition (JGT). It helps raise awareness about the need for a JGT and ensures that everyone understands the challenges and opportunities involved. It educates people about the environmental, social, and economic implications of transitioning to a more sustainable society. Communication facilitates inclusive decision-making processes by ensuring that all stakeholders, including marginalized communities, have a voice in shaping green transition policies and initiatives. It promotes transparency, participation, and accountability, leading to more equitable outcomes.
As the JGT aims to address social justice issues, such as inequality, poverty, and environmental injustice, communication plays a crucial role in highlighting these issues, advocating for marginalized communities, and ensuring that their needs and concerns are taken into account in transition planning and implementation. JGT may however sometimes lead to displacement or disruption of livelihoods, particularly in industries heavily reliant on fossil fuels or other unsustainable practices. Effective communication thus helps mitigate the negative impacts by facilitating dialogue, providing support for affected communities, and exploring alternative economic opportunities. Communication fosters trust and collaboration among diverse stakeholders, including governments, businesses, communities, and civil society organizations. By promoting dialogue, understanding, and cooperation, communication lays the foundation for collaborative efforts to drive a JGT.
Social networks possess significant potential to accelerate the JGT by leveraging their extensive reach, influence, and capacity to mobilize collective action. By strategically harnessing the power of social networks, JGT can be expedited through the dissemination of widespread awareness, the mobilization of collective action, the fostering of innovation, the promotion of advocacy, and the transformation of markets. This collaborative approach can facilitate the effective diffusion of green transition strategies and promote sustainable development.
Nevertheless, effective use of social networks requires clear articulation of the goals, benefits, and urgency of JGT. Ambiguity on the other hand may lead to confusion and resistance. It is important to use simple language and visuals to convey complex ideas, promote education and raise awareness about the importance of JGT, including their environmental, social, and economic benefits. The use of social networks can help dispel myths, address misconceptions, and inspire action. Since different audiences have different needs and concerns, tailored communication strategies are necessary to resonate with each group, whether it’s policymakers, industry leaders, or the general public and to highlight how JGT aligns with their values and priorities. It is important to humanize the message by telling compelling stories that illustrate the impact of JGT on people’s lives, communities, and the planet. Personal narratives are often more relatable and memorable than abstract data or technical jargon. Utilization of variety of communication channels, including traditional media, social media, websites, public events, and grassroots initiatives maximizes reach and accessibility, reaching people where they are. Finally, establishing a feedback mechanism to listen to concerns, gather input, and adapt communication strategies accordingly is necessary and ensures that communication remains relevant and effective over time.
As a project team we anticipate that the acquisition of enhanced communication skills and a deeper comprehension of social networks will help us share, amplify, and exploit the knowledge generated by the research of the twinning partners into WB societal actors and networks interested and/or engaged in WB JGT practices, policies and/or decision-making.