Event
05/03/2026 Brussels, Belgium

Social Climate Fund Conference

On 5 March 2026, in Brussels, the European Commission is hosting the Social Climate Fund Conference 'Helping vulnerable people in the clean transition: the role of the Social Climate Fund', to mark the rollout of the EU's new fund.

The Social Climate Fund (SCF) is a new EU fund aimed to mitigate the social impacts of the new Emissions Trading System covering transport and buildings (ETS2) by providing support to vulnerable categories and small business. It is an important tool with the potential to ensure that the twin green and digital transition leaves no one behind. The SCF will run from 2026 to 2032, and will mobilise €86.7 billion.

The SCF Conference, titled 'Helping vulnerable people in the clean transition: the role of the Social Climate Fund' is a high-level platform for policy-makers, stakeholders, and experts to discuss on how to make sure the SCF delivers tangible and inclusive results. Participants will engage in deep conversations on how the SCF can effectively target vulnerable groups, on what are the best policies and strategies to address energy and transport poverty, and how to strengthen cooperation among authorities and civil society.


Programme

  • 08:30 - 09:00 Registration and welcome coffee
  • 09:00 - 09:10 Introductory remarks
  • 09:10 - 09:20 Keynote speech by Enrico Letta, former Prime Minister of Italy, Dean of the IE School of Politics, Economics, and Global Affairs
  • 09:20 - 09:30 Welcome speech by Mario Nava, Director-General, Directorate-General for Employment, Social Rights and Inclusion, European Commission
  • 09:30 - 10:45 (CET) Plenary session 'Distributional impacts of ETS2 and the role of SCF: why ETS2 matters for people'
    • This panel will discuss the social and distributional impacts of ETS2, especially on households, highlighting the potential of the SCF in supporting vulnerable groups and ensuring a fair and socially balanced transition.
    • Speakers:
      • Marcos Gonzalez Alvarez, Head of Social Climate Fund and EU ETS2 Implementation Unit, DG CLIMA, European Commission
      • Georg Zachmann, Senior Fellow, Bruegel
      • Peter Liese, Member of the European Parliament
      • Mikael Leyi, Secretary-General, SOLIDAR
      • Līga Kurevska, State Secretary, Latvia
      • Moderator: Jeroen Jutte, Director for Employment and Social Governance, Analysis, DG EMPL, European Commission.
  • 10:45 - 11:15 Coffee break
  • 11:15 - 12:30 Breakout sessions:
    • Addressing energy poverty
    • This session will discuss the main drivers of energy poverty and the impacts of targeted policies and investments.
    • Speakers:
      • Opening by João Pedro Gouveia, Researcher; FCT, NOVA University of Lisbon & Energy Poverty Advisory Hub Coordination Team
      • Alejandro Ulzurrun de asanza y munoz, Head of Consumers, Local Initiatives, Just Transition Unit, DG ENER, European Commission
      • Līga Kurevska, State Secretary, Latvia
      • Amalia Georgescu, First Vice-President, Women in Business Organisation (OFA), Romania
      • Frederik Spinnewijn, Director, FEANTSA
    • Addressing transport poverty
    • This session will examine the challenges of transport poverty, what measures and investments can best tackle this issue, and how can the SCF ensure a socially inclusive mobility shift.
    • Speakers:
      • Opening by Giulio Mattioli, Researcher, TU Dortmund University
      • Karen Vancluysen, Secretary-General, POLIS Network
      • Elisabeth Kotthaus, Head of Social Aspects, Passenger Rights & Equality Unit, DG MOVE, European Commission
      • Vakaris Atkočiūnas, Economist analyst, Climate Policy Group, Ministry of Environment, Lithuania
      • Angelos Amtidis, Project coordinator, ELABORATOR
  • 12:30 - 13:30 Networking lunch
  • 13:30 - 14:00 Official launch of the European Fair Transition Observatory (EFTO)
  • 14:00 - 14:30 Plenary session 'Turning carbon into capital: frontloading ETS2 for a faster fair transition'
  • 14:30 - 15:45 Plenary session 'Reaching those most in need: implementing Social Climate Plans for maximum impact'
    • This session explores how the EU emissions trading system can drive decarbonisation, innovation, and job creation, while supporting vulnerable households.
    • Speakers:
      • Beatriz Yordi, Director for Carbon Markets and Clean Mobility, DG CLIMA, European Commission
      • Wenda Jacamon, Head of Operational Strategy Unit, EIB
    • Panel discussion 'Reaching those most in need: implementing Social Climate Plans for maximum impact'
    • Building on the previous discussions, this panel will bridge together academia, stakeholders, and Member States to explore how Social Climate Plans to focus on translating priorities into concrete action on the ground and maximising the impact of the SCF through well-targeted measures and coordinated delivery.
    • Speakers:
      • João Pedro Gouveia, Researcher; FCT, NOVA University of Lisbon & Energy Poverty Advisory Hub Coordination Team
      • Giulio Mattioli, Researcher, TU Dortmund University
      • Eugenia Mansutti, Head of Climate and Environment, EUROCITIES
      • Lena Schilling, Member of the European Parliament
      • ModeratorL Ruth Paserman, Director for Funds: programming and implementation, DG EMPL, European Commission.
  • 15:45 - 16:00 Closing remarks by Kurt Vandenberghe, Director-General, Directorate-General for Climate Action, European Commission
  • 16:00 - 17:00 Networking drink

How to attend

The Social Climate Fund Conference will take place on 5 March 2026, from 9:00 to 17:00, at The Egg, Rue Bara 175, in Brussels, Belgium.

For more information and to register, visit the official webpage here.