Is it possible to achieve a fair and inclusive prosperity without a green agenda?
The Vice-President and Commissioner for Competitiveness of the European Commission and ex-Minister Teresa Ribera will take the stage at LSE offering a unique opportunity to engage with one of Europe's leading policymakers in a conversation that will shape the future of economic and environmental policy.
This event is hosted by the Cañada Blanch Centre for Contemporary Spanish Studies and the Department of Geography and Environment LSE and will be chaired by its Director Prof. Rodríguez-Pose, Princesa de Asturias Chair.
In an era of rising inequality and economic transformation, the question of how to achieve fair and inclusive prosperity is more pressing than ever. At the same time, the green transition is reshaping industries, labor markets, and policies worldwide. But can economic justice be realized without a strong environmental agenda? Is sustainability a prerequisite for long-term prosperity, or can alternative paths lead to fair growth? This exclusive dialogue with Teresa Ribera, invites participants to delve into these pressing questions. With a distinguished background in environmental law and policy, Ribera brings a wealth of experience in crafting strategies that bridge economic growth with environmental stewardship.
Economic research increasingly suggests that green investments drive job creation, enhance resilience, and reduce long-term costs associated with environmental degradation. Studies from leading institutions highlight that nations prioritizing sustainability tend to foster innovation and remain competitive in an evolving global market. Conversely, neglecting environmental concerns risks deepening social disparities and exposing economies to the destabilizing effects of climate change. However, some argue that strict environmental policies may impose burdens on certain industries and workers, raising important questions about how to ensure an equitable transition.
Throughout this dialogue, Ribera will reflect on these findings and explore how the European Union’s Green Deal aims to balance social equity with ambitious climate goals. Bringing together policymaking experience and economic evidence, this discussion will challenge assumptions about growth, fairness, and sustainability. It offers a timely opportunity to reflect on the future of economic policy and whether a truly inclusive prosperity might flourish within—or perhaps cannot exist without—a robust commitment to sustainability.
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Meet the speaker
Teresa Ribera is the the First Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for Clean, Just and Competitive Transition and Commissioner for Competitiveness under the second Von der Leyen Commission. Her task is to ensure that Europe stays on track for its goals set out in the European Green Deal, while driving the decarbonisation and industrialisation of our economy.
Teresa Ribera is also responsible for modernising the EU’s competition policy to support European companies in innovating, competing, and leading worldwide.
Meet our chair
Professor Andrés Rodríguez-Pose is the Princesa de Asturias Chair and a Professor of Economic Geography at the London School of Economics. He is the Director of the Cañada Blanch Centre LSE. He is a former Head of the Department of Geography and Environment between 2006 and 2009. He is a past-President of the Regional Science Association International (RSAI) (2015-2017) and served as Vice-President of the RSAI in 2014. He was also Vice-President (2012-2013) and Secretary (2001-2005) of the European Regional Science Association.
This public event is free and open to all and registration is not required. This event will be a hybrid event, with an in-person audience and an online audience.
LSE Old Building (Old Theatre)
Houghton Street
London WC2A 2AE
United Kingdom
More about this event
The Cañada-Blanch Centre at LSE is the vehicle to achieve the objective of the Fundación Cañada Blanch: developing and reinforcing the links between the United Kingdom and Spain. This is done by means of fostering cutting-edge knowledge generation and joint research projects between researchers in the United Kingdom, and at LSE in particular, on the one hand, and Spain, on the other.
Through the YouTube channel of the Cañada Blanch Foundation, you'll have access to content from previous editions, such as the one featuring Salvador Illa, leader of the Catalan socialist, Nadia Calviño, former First Vice President of Spain, Pablo Hernandez de Cos, the current Governor of the Bank of Spain, or Elisa Ferreira, Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms of the European Commission.