The climate X factor
The climate and biodiversity crises we face demand not only carbon-neutral energy sources but also a circular economy.
Society
Social Europe is an award-winning digital media publisher driven by the core values of freedom, sustainability, and equality. These principles guide our exploration of society’s most pressing challenges. This archive page curates Social Europe articles focused on societal issues, offering a rich resource for innovative thinking and informed debate.
Ethical consumerism meets ‘eco-awakening’
If consumers are not given the tools to go green, then their eco-awakening could doom the climate.
Does it take a pandemic to relaunch European social dialogue?
One of the unwitting effects of the crisis has been to remake the case for dialogue between social partners to solve major problems.
Work harder: the Porto Social Summit’s call to Europe’s welfare states
Welfare states are having to run harder to stand still. They need to act in mutual support to win the race against inequality and poverty.
What should a female career and family structure post-pandemic look like?
The pandemic threatens to exacerbate gender inequalities and reinforce the association between women and unpaid care—unless contrary action is taken.
A shot in the arm
The European Union needs to raise its vaccination target and bring it forward. The good news is it can.
The Social Summit—and beyond
Concrete commitments must follow today’s Social Summit in Porto if the promise of a social Europe is to be realised.
What price a life?
Kate Pickett widens the panorama from the all-consuming coverage in Britain of the death of Prince Philip to ask why human lives and labours are so differentially valued.
A long-overdue step on EU sustainability reporting
A draft directive on sustainability reporting begins to address the challenge of turning the corporate tanker towards a zero-emissions 2050.
Can virtual addresses provide a gateway to rights for homeless people?
Europe’s lockdowns highlighted the right to housing—and its link to health and security. For many, however, it remains a distant privilege.
Taming the Big Tech tiger
New EU digital rules need to tackle the business model of surveillance capitalism.
White, rich, safe: Covid-19 exposes health inequality
The distribution of coronavirus vaccine around the world is glaringly unjust. But many wealthy countries have an equity problem of their own.
A small step towards gender equality in pay
The European Commission’s proposal to reduce the stubborn gender pay gap pulls some punches, apparently anticipating employer resistance.
Work-life conflict in Europe
Work and life are often thought of as a zero-sum of hours in conflict but work-life balance also depends on investment in care and men’s full participation in the home.
Green markets won’t save us
Markets are an unreliable guide for navigating a problem as large and complex as climate change.
Europe’s decarbonisation challenge? ‘Wir schaffen das’
Adam Tooze writes on the roadmaps to net-zero by 2050. Is a just transition for Europe realistic?